Movie Talk with John Goodman
ID: 3DD-01-0073
Format: HD
Description

American actor John Goodman discusses his work with iconic movie directors - the Coen Brothers - a collaboration which spans 7 movies. In the sixth movie Inside Llewyn Davis 2013 he plays an unpleasant jazz musician in a flamboyant suit called Roland Turner. Goodman recalls first meeting the Coen brothers at an audition for their film Raising Arizona in 1987, he remembers just goofing around and laughing, he wanted to play the character because of its extraordinary comedic dialogue and he credits the Coen's for their huge talent. The conversation moves on to The Big Lebowski 1998 in which he plays the character 'Walter'. This is the most famous Coen brothers film he has worked on. Goodman says it's the one from which people frequently shout at him in the street, and he's incredibly proud of the film. Goodman goes on to talk about Inside Llewyn Davis in more detail, particularly the folk music aspect, he reflects on being a Greenwich Village beatnik, hipster fan in the 60's when he was a child - when his brother was 'very plugged in' to the jazz scene. He took great inspiration from this when portraying his character. Next comes The Big Easy 1986. Set in New Orleans, Goodman relates how the director Jim McBride 'really tapped into its iconic music scene which was a vital part of the movie'. Goodman loves New Orleans and its rich culture so much he now lives there. King Ralph 1991, Goodman talks affectionately about this comedy movie filmed in London where he became great friends with his co-stars Peter O'Toole, Lesley Phillips and his favourite Richard Griffiths. Monsters Inc. 2001 is the next film discussed, an animation in which Goodman voices the lovable monster Sulley opposite Billy Crystal's character Mike. Goodman describes how Billy Crystal came up with the idea of recording the film together in a booth, this allowed them to improvise and create something really special, it was hugely successful and a sequel followed in 2013 called Monsters University. The conversation then moves on to Roseanne TV series 1988 - 1997 Goodman discusses playing the popular character 'Dan Conner' in this much loved sitcom about a working class family in Delaware. He talks about Dan being influenced by a lot of guys he grew up with who were labourers, good guys. Goodman reflects on something Roseanne Barr said before filming one day, 'just because we're poor doesn't mean we're stupid' and that was the premise of the show, the Conners were good people with everyday struggles, that's why people could relate to it. Next comes The Artist 2011 a highly successful, black and white silent movie starring Jean Dujardin. It swept the board at the Oscars winning 5 awards including Best Picture. Goodman says he had no idea at the time of filming it would be so successful. There are a lot of improvised moments throughout the film, as Dujardin didn't speak a word of English at the time. Goodman says he loved filming a silent film, he was good at it and has a great admiration for the old film actors, they were so highly skilled in physical comedy. Argo 2012 is another Oscar winning film, directed and starring the 'brilliant Ben Affleck', Goodman praises Affleck and describes him as a great story teller. The next film discussed is The Monuments Men 2014 directed and starring George Clooney, Goodman plays a sculptor who joins an unlikely platoon in WW2 who set out to rescue revered art works that the Nazi's had stolen. Goodman finishes with Oh Brother, Where Art Thou? a Coen brothers film also starring George Clooney. Goodman talks about how great the set is when Clooney is filming, he's wonderfully efficient and takes care of everyone. Goodman says he did once consider directing but decided against it, as he doesn't have that burning desire to see it through.

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