MSN Movies
March 2008
Lee Pace is on the cusp of becoming something special. The star of the new, critically acclaimed TV show "Pushing Daisies" has had a successful career on the stage, but his movie experiences have been slow going. He's had supporting roles in "The Good Shepherd" and "Infamous," but his first leading role, in the indie "The Fall," has taken two years to hit theaters. With the spotlight on his charismatic performance in "Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day," his big-screen luck may be turning around.
Set in London at the beginning of World War II, the film has Pace playing Michael, the true love and pianist of American club singer and wannabe actress Delysia (Amy Adams). Pace gets to sing on-screen for the first time, teaming up with Adams on a duet of the Inkspots classic "If I Didn't Care."
"We actually recorded that at Abbey Road. It was in the same stage where the Beatles and Pink Floyd recorded," Pace says. "It was pretty awesome."
Like his co-star Frances McDormand, who plays the title character, Miss Pettigrew, Pace was also an American playing a British character, accent and all. It wasn't easy, especially filming in the United Kingdom.
"In America, if [a British actor gets an American accent] right, it's like, 'You're great,'" Pace says. "But over there they are like, 'Where is your accent supposed to be from?' 'London.' 'What part of London?' So, you just feel bad no matter what you do."
Luckily, the 28-year-old actor had McDormand, whom he refers to as a "pro's pro," around to keep him focused. He says, "If you don't know what you're supposed to be doing on set you can just look at Frances and you can get a clue. She's so calm and she understands acting for film better than almost anyone I've ever worked with."
As for "Daisies," the quirky mystery show has a loyal following, but, because of the writers' strike, Pace and crew won't begin shooting new episodes until June.
"There are a lot of reasons for that," Pace explains. "We are still new and it would be a whole relaunch, plus we are a really expensive show. I think we're the most expensive show that Warner Bros. is producing right now. So, it's a lot to get started up again for three episodes."
Pace spent most of the strike traveling around the world promoting "Daisies" in new markets, but with three months until he has to return to the world of TV, couldn't another film fit into his plans? He's considering it.
"The show is a lot of work. I had no idea how draining it would be," Pace says. "So, unless it's a perfect, perfect movie, I'm not gonna take it. I'm just gonna hike with my dog and travel some."
Thankfully, for an actor still on the verge of stardom, it won't hurt to have a quality flick like "Miss Pettigrew" on his resume.
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