As a dedicated follower of Eddie Redmayne’s career, I must say that his transformation for “The Day of the Jackal” left me speechless. The man truly knows how to immerse himself into a role and make us forget we’re watching an actor.
I, Eddie Redmayne, am no stranger to transforming my appearance for roles, but the heavy prosthetics needed for my recent miniseries part were quite a challenge. In the remake of the 1973 political thriller “The Day of the Jackal,” I play a meticulous assassin, and in the first episode, you’ll find me hidden under layers of rubber and foam as I infiltrate my target’s headquarters disguised as an elderly German cleaner.
It’s fortunate that Redmayne only had to wear the intense disguise for a single scene, but he described the process as agonizing at the very least. To convincingly portray an old man, Redmayne had to undergo four hours of hair and makeup, followed by using a foam suit to add weight to his body. To compound the problem, the scene was filmed in a non-airconditioned studio on a sweltering hot day in Hungary. As Redmayne reminisced, “My most vivid recollection of those days was Richard coming and pricking me through the prosthetic, causing sweat to pour out.
Beyond just tolerating the prosthetics, it was more complex; Redmayne elaborated on the distinct challenges of acting enclosed within a rubbery confinement. Since the transformation process takes considerable time and the materials are costly, actors are granted minimal time to rehearse their scenes, often resorting to trial and error as the primary method. Moreover, if a character’s voice contradicts their altered physical appearance, the illusion is shattered entirely. In Redmayne’s words:
While you may have an exceptional prosthetic limb, if it’s not accompanied by a suitable voice, you’re in trouble. After ensuring the person speaks German fluently, you’ll need to adjust the tone of the voice to match the fact that this 70-year-old man is a long-time smoker.
Redmayne’s Dedication to His Performance in The Day of the Jackal Pays Off
To withstand such grueling physical conditions, it’s clear that “The Day of the Jackal” offers something extraordinary. This series, following its cinematic roots from 1973 and the original novel by Frederick Forsyth in 1971, delves deeply into moral complexity, blending captivating narratives with intense, deliberate performances. The ethical dilemmas and intricate plotlines of “The Day of the Jackal” resemble shows like “Killing Eve,” while its meticulously planned cat-and-mouse game is more akin to “Hannibal” on NBC. Redmayne commented:
I really appreciate how detail-oriented he is when he gets ready. You can clearly see the steps he takes and the precision of his planning, it’s like watching a finely crafted Swiss watch come together. Watching him prepare brings me a sense of peace.
Despite some skepticism among film enthusiasts about remaking the 1973 movie “The Day of the Jackal,” early reviews suggest that the upcoming television series is off to a strong start. With an impressive 89% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, critics have commended Eddie Redmayne’s captivating portrayal and the depth of his emotional performance. Additionally, they’ve praised the show for its execution, pacing, and ability to build suspense. However, it remains to be seen if this adaptation will achieve a lasting impact comparable to the original film.
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2024-11-09 22:02