While David O. Russell has entered a much publicized new phase of his career, with "The Fighter," "Silver Linings Playbook," "American Hustle," and "Joy," marking the transition from his earlier, more eclectic indie pictures to something sturdier, old habits die hard. The director, whose tantrum on the set of "I Heart Huckabees" famously went viral, and who clashed with George Clooney on the set of "Three Kings," still maintains an open atmosphere on set, one that encourages improvisation, and pushes the actors to their limits. However, it’s a fine line between inspiration and isolation.
In a talk with GQ, Amy Adams reflects on the making of "American Hustle," and she doesn’t have the fondest memories. “He did [make me cry]. I was really just devastated on set. I mean, not every day, but most. Jennifer [Lawrence] doesn’t take any of it on. She’s Teflon. And I am not Teflon. But I also don’t like to see other people treated badly," she said. "It’s not ok with me. Life to me is more important than movies. It really taught me how to separate work and home. Because I was like, I cannot bring this experience home with me to my daughter.”
During the promotion of "American Hustle," Amy Adams had a different account of making the movie, telling Russell during a press conference, "I think you exemplify a heightened reality. Not everything in reality is subtle and slow. When I lose my cool in life it is over the top. I’m over the top sometimes, that’s how we are as humans and we all have examples in our lives [of this]. David finds moments where this ‘pushed reality’ is the truth. It’s the truth for these characters."
All that being said, time can cast experiences in new light, and even though Adams earned an Oscar nomination for her work in the film (and for her performance in "The Fighter"), as she explains above, the process, if it hurts her and others, isn’t worth it no matter the result.
So you can probably count Adams out for working with Russell again, and the while the director once expressed a desire to make a musical with the actress, that probably won’t be happening.
"Don\’t blow smoke up David O\’s backside during promotion and then pull this"
Because I\’m sure there would be no backlash for her talking about how much of an asshole the director is in the promotion for his movie at all. Nope.
S Mar is correct: she said he\’d developed a new way of working that wasn\’t her cup of tea (it being that of a gaping a-hole).
Ann Thompson said that Bale and Lawrence didn\’t want to work with him anymore because of his erratic behavior but Lawrence changed her mind after her Oscar nod
And where is the news? Bale repeated it during AH promotion
It doesn\’t seem like what she said during promotion contradicted anything she\’s saying now. Before she was talking about his style as a filmmaker, not his on-set methods of dealing with people.
Eh, speak your mind about whatever, but don\’t change your story. Don\’t blow smoke up David O\’s backside during promotion and then pull this. Just be genuine.
Trent, read his biographies, mate. Kubrick was no ray of sunshine.
Kubrick wasn\’t a well-known asshole at all, actually. There was one instance of raised voices on The Shining documentary, but I guess because that\’s almost the only footage of him on set, people will take that as every day on his sets.
That probably won\’t be happening. who gives a shi$$. His darling is Jennifer Lawrence.
Everybody knows David O. Russel is an a**hole. Some people take it because they want to be in the movie, other people have higher standards.
It\’s well known Russell\’s an asshole, like Liman and even Kubrick back in the day. They still shows great results for all his personality issues.
It can\’t be all that bad considering its her second time working with him.
NO ONE MAKES AMY ADAMS CRY
I wonder if he was dialed down on The Fighter and then ratcheted back up for American Hustle.
This isn\’t really a surprise given what we now know in regard to how he operates on set. She could\’ve easily been aware (or made aware) of that fact before she ever signed on to work with him if she was the type who couldn\’t handle it. Honestly, given some of the real crap she\’s likely had to tolerate whether on set or not in Hollywood, I would imagine someone staging drama like this would be a welcomed breath of fresh air.
Ann Thompson said that Bale and Lawrence didn\’t want to work with him anymore because of his erratic behavior but Lawrence changed her mind after her Oscar nod
And where is the news? Bale repeated it during AH promotion