Rupert Grint - Rupert's Appreciation #2 ~ because he is surely a star in the making! - Page 12

darcybennett · 10-03-2006, 06:09 AM

As previously mentioned, ICM contributor, Lyn has now posted her report on her conversation with Jeremy Brock.

Quote:

"Rupert will be a major star," Jeremy predicts

As you know, Julie Walters and Jeremy Brock were in Los Angeles recently and I was given the opportunity to speak with them.

I was able to ask Jeremy a few questions about Rupert and Driving Lessons. And yes, Jeremy thinks Rupert has “star” in his future.

First of all, on behalf of the fans, I thanked Jeremy for letting Rupert be a part of this project. I told Jeremy the fans were thrilled with him, that he gave Rupert this role. Jeremy thanked me and said, ”That’s good to hear!”

I asked Jeremy when he decided he wanted Rupert for the role, was there anything in the script that he decided to change to better suit Rupert or to attract him to the role.

Jeremy said, “No, I did not change the script and Rupert didn’t ask me to.” He was very firm about this.

We discussed the “Ben walk”, so I asked him if there was anything else Rupert brought to the character. He said the scene when Bryony asked Ben if that was his first time, Rupert slightly lifts his shoulders, and that was something he did on his own.

He said Rupert has a naturalness about him, he has no illusions, and he is quite shy and reserved. He did mention again that when he saw Rupert in the HP movies, he wanted more from him.

As far as direction, Jeremy said that the chemistry between Julie and Rupert made things so easy and to have that was wonderful. Rupert did need some direction in scenes that required him to be forthright and assertive. He said he admires both Rupert and Julie. Jeremy said he would absolutely enjoy working with Rupert again.

darcybennett · 10-05-2006, 05:57 PM

Jeremy Brock was involved in an online chat while in Washington D.C. this week, and here's some of the things he said about Rupert...

Quote:

Jeremy, what was it like to direct Rupert Grint? With the majority of his experiences on set for Harry Potter, I'm sure this was a "more grown-up" role for him. Thank you!

Jeremy Brock: It was a joy to work with Rupert because of the naturalness that he brings to the screen. I've watched him in the Potter movies and felt for years that he was underexploited. So when he agreed to take the part, I knew I had the star I wanted because in this movie he is a character who has to convey their feelings, the feelings of an adolescent who can't express themselves, they have to convey those feelings on their face. And Rupert has a face that the camera just loves. It also helps that he's extremely good-looking, said the cynical director!

Jeremy: What a big month for you. I have heard rave reviews on "Last King of Scotland." What can you tell me about "Driving Lessons"?

Jeremy Brock: After "Last King of Scotland," "Driving Lessons" was a joy to make because it's a small character study about love, identity and friendship. And it stars two charismatic actors in Julie Walters and Rupert Grint. And it's a chance for audiences to enjoy what I think the British do so well, which is the small but detailed study of character.

I can't wait to see this movie, the trailer was hilarious. Did you create it for British audiences or did you imagine it would have a much broader appeal from the outset? I absolutely love Julie Walters and Rupert Grint and think they have amazing chemistry onscreen.

Jeremy Brock: I definitely wanted this movie to have the widest audience possible. Weirdly enough, the way to get the widest audience is to be true to the specific story you're telling and never to think about that. But in my dreams I never thought I'd have a combination like Julie Walters and Rupert Grint. And honestly the screen chemistry between them is what makes this movie so special for me. They're a genuine odd couple in a story that does lift your spirits and leave you hoping that the character of Ben will go on and make something of his life. Go and see it and spread the word!

How did you find working with a young actor (Rupert Grint) who has little experience with the varying styles of different directors?

Jeremy Brock: In a funny way, Rupert is more experienced than many young actors. Even with different directors. On "Potter," he has now worked with four directors and he came to "Driving Lessons" with a huge experience of filmmaking, but he was new to indie filmmaking and he loved making a movie in six weeks. In six weeks on Potter, he might shoot only two scenes. We had the best time making "Driving Lessons" because of his excitement and I think it shows.

From: WashingtonPost.com

ordinaryday · 10-05-2006, 06:54 PM

Quote:

It was a joy to work with Rupert because of the naturalness that he brings to the screen.

I love that quote.

I've always felt he was definetely the most natural out of the all the kids.

Sandrinha · 10-06-2006, 05:02 AM

Quote:

I've watched him in the Potter movies and felt for years that he was underexploited.

Thank you Jeremy, finally someone other then us expresses this feeling.

This photo was taken from Richard Harris Memorial event.

darcybennett · 10-06-2006, 11:32 AM

Aw. What a great picture!

Once again, he was mobbed by fans!

I too loved the parts you highlighted Jenn and Sandi! It never gets old reading things like that about Rupert. As Jeremy attests, it shows that his talent and his acting have made quite an impression on people who would eventually like to work with him. I'm sure there'll be a lot more such instances in years to come.

ordinaryday · 10-06-2006, 08:43 PM

Quote:

Thank you Jeremy, finally someone other then us expresses this feeling.

I know finally. Though I think most reviewers think the samething.

Great picture!

Sandrinha · 10-08-2006, 12:06 PM

Rupert in Parade Magazine:

ordinaryday · 10-08-2006, 02:17 PM

...I have no words!

Sandrinha · 10-09-2006, 04:50 PM

Some new OLD photos from fans @ Tribecca:

red_desire: Pictures.

darcybennett · 10-09-2006, 05:33 PM

Oh, lordy! Those pics you posted yesterday!!!

I'm in love with the last two!!

Can he do laidback... or what?!

And thanks for more of the DL/Tribeca pics, Sandi!

Sandrinha · 10-10-2006, 09:12 AM

I like the last t-shirt, it fits Rupert's humour so well lol.

ordinaryday · 10-10-2006, 06:58 PM

I love those old new pictures you posted! His eyes are gorgeous. I love them.

darcybennett · 10-11-2006, 11:48 AM

Jeremy Brock talks more of Rupert's naturalness on camera and how talented he is in an interview he gave to The Hollywood Reporter.

Quote:

Another of the film's pivotal roles is that of Ben, played by Rupert Grint, a shy 17 year old who's able to get away from his overbearing mother, played by Laura Linney, by taking a job helping Walters' character Evie, an eccentric retired actress. Grint, of course, is famous for playing Harry Potter's pal Ron Weasley. And it's Walters, of course, who plays Grint's mother in the Potter films.

"It was tricky, you know," Brock told me. "He's so well known. My fear was, would Ron Weasley tip the balance against the character? But I have always had a great admiration for Rupert Grint's naturalism. I've always felt watching him in the Harry Potter movies that he had a talent for the hardest thing, which is to simply be yourself on camera. 35mm film is very unforgiving of actors who are even remotely mannered and Rupert's the opposite of that. He's a complete naturalist. I knew that the part required him to be very still a lot of the time.

"The boy for the first half of the movie is bearing witness and then slowly he gains the confidence to speak for himself. Rupert's an actor who just naturally works well with that very minimal material. It's just in his nature. He's a restrained and quite young guy. He's just got that wonderful transparency that I love that Julie has and that people like Judi Dench have. It's just a thing that I love to watch on camera."

Sandrinha · 10-12-2006, 05:12 AM

Quote:

Rupert's an actor who just naturally works well with that very minimal material

It's called RAW talent, it's just there and not something he learned at drama school or something. We see it in Ron all the time, even when he is in the background he IS acting has Ron, when most people wouldn't.

darcybennett · 10-12-2006, 12:56 PM

Exactly. Well said, Sandi.

That kind of talent and natural ability is definitely not something which you can learn in a class. It's something which is innate. You either have it or you don't. And Rupes has it in spades!