Kelly Macdonald & Director Marc Turtletaub Discuss “Puzzle” And How Jigsaws Can Make A Great Film [Interview]

What was the on-set atmosphere really like? It feels like so many scenes are filmed in such an intimate fashion with only two characters.

Kelly: The film was almost in two parts. It seems we shot all of [the family scenes] first, and we all got really comfortable with each other. And we felt like it worked out really well. We were filming in a family home, which is quite stifling, actually. It was quite a dark home and old-fashioned, and it was in the summer we were shooting, as well.

So, when we didn’t have to be in there, and we would generally be found out in the garden, like you would if you were a family, just sitting in lawn chairs in the back garden and sort of just chatting away. And so, all just really friendly.

I’d imagine, on the surface, the preparation for a role like this entails practicing complex jigsaw puzzles or maybe watching Smirnoff’s original film. But, beneath the surface, of course, you have to put yourself in the mindset of somebody who feels neglected, lonely, living a repetitive life, spending most of her time serving the men in her family. How did you get into Agnes’ shoes, Kelly?

Kelly: I didn’t have a big game plan before I started. I work sort of organically, on the day, and I think the way Marc likes to work was helpful in that regards. So, I didn’t have it mapped out entirely.

Marc: The way I saw it was that there’s no rehearsal. We had assembled this incredible cast, headed by Kelly, Irrfan [Khan] and David [Denman]. And my job is, in those situations, it’s sort of like The Lubitsch Touch. You get all of these wonderful people around you, and then you get the hell out of the way. And so, they can find how they would inhabit those characters.

And Kelly’s really intuitive. And Irrfan. These are incredible actors. And so, it wasn’t all predetermined. I hope I think that’s what you’re saying.

Kelly: I think that’s what I was trying to say.

Marc: It wasn’t really predetermined as to how the performance was going to be. It was, rather, just inhabiting those characters, and then we would make slight adjustments. But the initial take on the set was the initial take.

Kelly, it was so wonderful to see you return as Diane in “T2 Trainspotting.”

Kelly: Thank you.

In the sequel, Diane has matured considerably. Was it nostalgic taking a trip down memory lane?

Kelly: Yeah, absolutely, it was just chalk and cheese for me. Because the first time around, I was so green, I didn’t have a clue what I was doing. I was really intimidated by the rest of the cast because they were all just so charismatic and interesting, and handsome. I was generally to be found hiding in the toilets if anybody had to come and find me. That’s where I would be.

So, this time, I was not hiding in the toilets. I got to start enjoying my time with Ewan [McGregor] again, and I felt like we were one little play-wheel system.

You’ve had the opportunity to work with some of the great directors of our time such as Danny Boyle, Robert Altman, the Coen Brothers, and, of course, Marc, and some directors that are actors such as Clark Gregg and Michael Keaton. Do you see yourself ever getting behind the camera, Kelly?

Kelly: No, I think I would know by if it was something I had a hankering for. I can’t imagine being in charge of all the things you have to be in charge of as a director, and say stuff to the actors, and I’m quite happy doing my job at the moment.