Edie Falco Dishes on The Sopranos, Avatar and Nurse Jackie

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As a movie lover with a soft spot for Edie Falco and her captivating performances, I can confidently say that “I’ll Be Right There” is a must-watch. This film perfectly encapsulates the complexities of family dynamics, and Falco’s portrayal of Wanda, a woman navigating love and life in her middle age, is nothing short of exceptional.

Edie Falco makes her return to the silver screen! In this latest venture, the esteemed actress from Brooklyn takes on an indie dramedy titled “I’ll Be Right There“, which resonates deeply with families grappling with distress and chaos. As the main protagonist, Wanda, Edie portrays a complex character: a mother, soon-to-be grandmother, caring daughter, and sexually adventurous rebel, all while maneuvering through a community that seems to tug at her from every side. We had a chance to chat with Falco about her upcoming film, as well as updates on her future projects such as the next Avatar sequel, the anticipated Nurse Jackie series continuation, and a potential new docuseries based on her iconic show, “The Sopranos“.

Falco’s Wanda: ‘Testing the Waters’

The film “I’ll Be Right There” excels in various aspects, notably the authentic portrayal of Wanda’s mature yet anxious family. As a mother of a son and a daughter in real life, Falco found it hard not to draw upon her personal experiences when playing her character. “My children may not be exactly like the ones portrayed in the movie,” she said, “but parenting is essentially the same. You constantly grapple with questions like how much should I intervene or step back, what’s too much help, and what’s not enough.

Apart from handling her somewhat juvenile adult children, Wanda finds herself entangled in a complex romantic situation involving multiple men. This includes her former partner (Bradley Whitford), present beau (Michael Rapaport), an old classmate and current neighbor (Michael Beach), as well as a tempting dalliance with a younger woman (Sepideh Moafi). Falco notes:

At this stage in her life, her children might not require her attention as much, and she seems to be pondering, ‘Now that I’m divorced, what do I truly desire? This could be an opportunity for me to discover my preferences.’ Given these circumstances, it appears she is seeking self-discovery. Moreover, since she doesn’t have many responsibilities depending on her, such as finding a partner for starting a new family or having someone move into her home, it seems easier for her to explore possibilities and find out what’s available.

It’s advantageous that Falco collaborated with an old acquaintance who would direct the film “I’ll Be Right There”: filmmaker Brendan Walsh, who was responsible for several impressive episodes of “Nurse Jackie”. Falco reminisced, “I’ve known Brendan for quite some time, and when I first met him on set, I was taken aback by how young he was. He was significantly younger than what you’d typically expect for someone in his position. Yet, he was incredibly composed. He maintained a relaxed demeanor about everything. He always seemed eager for a joke. Tensions can run high on set when trying to complete the day’s work and keep everyone satisfied. And he never appeared concerned, you understand? That’s quite valuable. So I enjoyed having him around.

On Joining the ‘Exquisite’ Avatar Franchise

Regarding Nurse Jackie, fans are eagerly anticipating the upcoming sequel series that Falco will star in. She shared with us, “I was asked about it a while back and I said something like, ‘Wow, okay!'”. She went on to say, “The work environment was simply fantastic. I adored my colleagues. We genuinely enjoyed going to set. I just really cherished working on that show, but then, once I agree, what happens next? Who knows… From time to time, my agents will inform me about some developments, ‘This happened, then that happened, and then this happened.’ All I can do is say ‘yes,’ and then see if it actually comes to fruition. But, you know? This has been going on for a while now, so I think the scriptwriting must be underway. So yes, I’d be thrilled. It would be a lot of fun.

Apart from his role in “Nurse Jackie”, Falco is undeniably known for his appearance on HBO’s “The Sopranos”. The behind-the-scenes docuseries titled “Wise Guy: David Chase and The Sopranos” is premiering this weekend, which he finds fascinating. Falco shared that the documentary is well-done by someone who admires the show and appreciates David, revealing tidbits he was unaware of before, making it a captivating watch for him. He feels fortunate that there are people who value the show enough to invest their time in watching it and letting it become a part of their lives.

Lately, Falco has been quite active on the big screen since becoming part of James Cameron’s prestigious Avatar franchise for “The Way of Water” and the forthcoming third installment. In an exclusive chat with us, Falco shared insights into her journey so far and the intriguing character she plays:

Initially, the script seemed intended for a male character, and I can’t recall exactly who suggested this, possibly my representative. They posed the question, ‘Have you ever considered a female for this part?’ which had me laughing. I appreciate their creative thinking, and it was flattering to be considered. The role is quite unlike anything I’ve encountered before in terms of the typical films produced, but what an exciting prospect! The sheer size and complexity of the production, not to mention spending extended periods in New Zealand, added a touch of elegance to the experience.

From Brainstorm Media, I’ll Be Right There is now playing in theaters.

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2024-09-07 18:03