James Caviezel: why Hollywood learned to pronounce his name in a hurry - Interview

Although he aspires to an all-American Gary Cooper-ness, James Caviezel is closer to Garbo--transcendentally beautiful, serenely expressive, capable of evoking depth merely by way of his melancholy gaze. Having toiled in anonymity for a decade, Caviezel landed the central role in Terrence Malick's The Thin Red Line (1998), a surreal epic about the invasion of Guadalcanal during World War II. From there, he's contributed a dark mystery to Ride with the Devil (1999), Frequency, Pay It Forward and Angel Eyes. 2002 brings a new version of The Count of Monte Cristo, which promises an as-yet-unseen side of Caviezel: man of action. Action was clearly on his mind the day we spoke, one week after the tragedies of September 11; the whiplash of that day proved impossible to evade, and important to address.

MICHAEL ATKINSON: How are you feeling in the aftermath of the terrorist attacks?

JAMES CAVIEZEL: I'm concerned. Concerned about a lot of firemen and police officers I worked with on Frequency. These terrorists, they wanted to decimate the American spirit not only by taking thousands of lives, but by destroying symbols of military and economic strength. But instead of demoralizing our country, it rejuvenated our spirit of being American. We are one people, and we will rebuild--financially, emotionally and, more importantly than ever, spiritually.

MA: As an actor, how can you contribute to the rebuilding process?

JC: Well, I recently did a film called Madison, about a hydroplane boat racer. We showed it at Sundance, to a standing ovation, but it didn't get picked up. Many studio executives felt, Who's going to watch a film about hydroplaning? They missed the point. It was a story about a man who had a dream, like all of us Americans. It's a great Cinderella story, about something different, deeper. So, I can continue to look for films like that, that inspire or have a tremendous redeeming quality.

MA: It's interesting--in the wake of what's happened, one such film, The Thin Red Line, probably wouldn't be welcome right now, because it's critical of violent conflict.

JC: Sure. But Thin Red Line is every bit a film about peace. It's a call to peace. Some of the dialogue that Terry Malick wrote is all about how we're all pieces of one big soul--even the Taliban--and we need to come together on that.

MA: Was The Thin Red Line your turning point, career-wise?

JC: Oh, yeah. I am where I am because Terry gave me an opportunity. If that had never happened, who knows what I'd be doing right now--there have been far greater actors than me that have come and gone. I'm very lucky.

MA: But now, of course, you're looking fame directly in the eye. Soon people might even learn how to pronounce your last name. [both laugh] So how'd you land The Count of Monte Cristo?

JC: Well, I was pursuing Pearl Harbor at the time, and I thought I had it, and then over a weekend, it was over. Boom! Ben Affleck came in and said, "I want it," and they gave it to him. Soon thereafter, Monte Cristo came up and I read the script, met with the producers and started on it. Originally they wanted Jude Law. You know, I really am getting roles by being the second and third choice. [laughs] And making the best of it.

MA: Good thing it doesn't bother you.

JC: Well, no, it doesn't. When Terry called for Thin Red Line, I had three TV pilots that I was going for. So I had to make a decision. I turned them all down, everything. And my agent said, "Jim--you're crazy! You're going to land one of those pilots! And I know for sure that people like Brad Pitt and Matt McConaughey want the role you're looking for. There's no way you're going to get it!" But I did a little research on Terry and thought that maybe I had a chance because I was an unknown, and that seemed to work with him in the past.

MA: Do you get to have fun in Monte Cristo? Because so far you seem to have been typecast as a tortured spirit.

JC: [laughs] Yeah, it was great. It's funny, a few years back, I had the lead in a Neil Simon comedy in Seattle, and they were auditioning for the movie Singles [1992]. The lady who was casting saw my play and said, "Jim's really funny, but I don't think he's right for dramas."

MA: If you believe your press, you're an atypical actor--devoutly religious, Republican, maritally faithful...Is this a relatively accurate portrait of you?

JC: I think people always want to sum you up, stick you in a box, and say, "This is what he is." Look, the people who know me, know me. I'm a Roman Catholic and I follow my faith obediently. The values that I have may seem odd today, but I believe that my faith has gotten me where I am. It's just living your life. As I was taught, "Go out and preach the gospel to the world, and if you must, use words."

Michael Atkinson is a film critic for the Village Voice. Opposite: James Caviezel wears a shirt, jacket and pants by HELMUT LANG. Fragrance: HELMUT LANG EAU DE COLOGNE. Styling: TOD HALLMAN for Factory Artists. Grooming: DAVID COX for Bumble + bumble/Celestine. Special thanks: FARMER'S DAUGHTER, L.A. For fashion and photo details see page 151.

COPYRIGHT 2001 Brant Publications, Inc.
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