Around Philly
by Gary Kramer
March 6, 2008
Oscar nominee Amy Adams is a screwball heroine in Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day, a fun period comedy in which she plays Delysia Lafosse, a woman with three hunky boyfriends: Phil (Tom Payne), Nick (Mark Strong) and Michael (Lee Pace). She unexpectedly gets some assistance from Miss Pettigrew (Frances McDormand) who fakes her way into Delysia’s life and helps her solve her romantic problems. Both Adams and Pace spoke to Aroundphilly.com about first jobs, the Beatles, and Bed Bath & Beyond.
AP: British actors are always commended for being able to do American accents. As an American, how did you create your British accent, especially with the film’s fast-paced dialogue and period language?
Lee Pace: I think people are really picky about English accents and when a Brit comes over here, and does OK, everyone thinks their great. But in England, if you’re doing a pretty good accent, they are like “Where are you from?” And you’re like “London” and they are like, “What part?” Accents are really precious there. When I first read it, I saw the script was full of posh English people, so I did Michael with a Northern accent, more Albert Finney, blue color, heart-on-his-sleeve, passionate.
AP: How do you find working on a film versus working on your TV series Pushing Daisies?
LP: The day is different. With TV, you have to get so much done during the day, you have to be super clear what’s being done. I know before I walk on the set what I’m going to do. In film, you find your way in it a little more, play with it some. With TV, people are watching it and commenting on it and judging it while you are doing it. You don’t get that in film. I like watching dailies, but not to do anything about [my performance].
AP: How much does set and costume affect your role?
LP: I did feel it was like a period piece, but it was different because I felt they had a good time with it—that crazy apartment with those golden statues. That, more than the time period, was really inspiring. As far as the clothes go, I never get to wear a suit in my work, much less a tuxedo. It was fun to get dressed up and take yourself more seriously.
AP: Did you do your own signing?
LP: Yes, I did. I did a musical in high school—which we are not going to discuss!—but I never really sang, but it was the first thing I did on the movie. We went to Abby Road to record the song, and we were in the studio where The Beatles and Pink Floyd were, and we had this glass between our booth and looked at each other, and did the song.
AP: What was it like to work with Amy?
LP: She can do no wrong. She has golden instincts. She can do anything. Lively, smart, funny, beautiful, and all I had to do in the movie, other than the accent, and learn how to play the piano, was fall in love with her. Tough day, right? You had to believe it when I look into her eyes. If you don’t buy it, then I’ve failed.
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