Did you have any involvement with the script?
Not really. Not in terms of writing it. However, the scriptwriter spent three days with me asking lots of questions. She wanted to get more of a sense of me, my story, than just what’s on the page. In fact, in the script, there are scenes/episodes in my life that really happened, that I’d told her about, that aren’t in the book.
What is it like seeing yourself played by someone else?
Surreal. Unnerving. But also very moving. But I haven’t seen the final movie yet. I’m basing this on what I observed visiting the set as well as from the coming attractions. From what I’ve seen so far, I think that Sally Pressman does an amazing job of capturing the “essence” of me — if that makes sense. Obviously she isn’t going to imitate me. But I feel very connected to the “me” she portrays. It’s kind of uncanny. She’s an excellent actress.
The pictures of you from the set are fabulous! What was that visit like?
Profound! Everyone on the set from the actors, to the director, to the cinematographer, to the makeup and wardrobe people were incredibly supportive of me and my story. Everyone — I mean, everyone — had read my book. Even the chauffeur who drove the van asked for an autographed copy for his girlfriend! They all said how important it was to them to make a movie I’d be proud of.
So I couldn’t have asked for more. For many scenes the director would talk to me first, asking me what my “emotion” would have been at a certain moment, so he could more clearly direct Sally. I was even asked whether I would wear a certain belt with a dress that Sally was wearing. (The answer was “no.”)
Article comments