[IMG:L]Spanning from her memorable ’90s Oscar nab for playing a saucy mechanic in mob comedy My Cousin Vinny to topping the list with her unsolicited ‘Mr. Skin’ win in 2007 for Best Nude Scene in familial heist drama Before the Devil Knows you’re Dead, Brooklyn-raised babe Marisa Tomei stealthily and quietly remains at the top of her game–too modest off screen to call attention to herself, but too talented on screen to be ignored.
In political satire War, Inc.–co-written and produced by John Cusack, co-starring Hilary Duff, Ben Kingsley, Dan Aykroyd and Joan Cusack—Tomei‘s charged character Natalie is a sexy, lefty reporter, who arrives on the scene of this pipeline hotbed issue to investigate the decline of civilized society in ‘Turaquistan’ and gets involved with Cusack‘s troubled hitman character, Hauser.
[IMG:R]Flying in the face of a traditional Hollywood starlet’s career, Tomei has chosen to embrace theater work, barely budgeted indies, and quirky cinematic tales–all in the name of charting a path to which she’s most drawn: that of an actress who embraces smarts, diversity and work outside-of-the-box. Yup, she’s full of surprise.
On what exactly attracted her to this film:
Marisa Tomei: It was really Mr. Cusack! His passion for it and his excitement and he said he wanted to work with me. [Making herself laugh]. So, that was flattering! He had described it as in the tone of Grosse Pointe Blank, and I loved that tone. It was a very smart comedy. It’s very rare to find that. So, that’s what got me intrigued!
[IMG:R]On discovering something that surprised her during production:
MT: I was just astonished by how many hats John could wear and how many different jobs he’s really good at–he’s a great producer, he’s a great writer, he’s a great actor. He had such a vision for the film … just to see him relentless going to bat for this movie every day. He’s such a good sport!
On the sort of message that the film brings to audience members:
MT: I guess it is sort of laughing at what the government is doing. The government really is run by corporations. So, that’s what it’s really saying. You know you can have a really good release from crying over a tragedy…the situation that this is based on is really tragic. But, you can also have another kind of process where emotions come up through a really hard laugh. Hopefully that sort of happens through this film.
On what she does to catch a breath, as a personal sort of release:
MT: Well [slyly pausing], I have to admit I spend a lot of time watching Rock of Love. [Laughing out loud] I got suckered into that one! I had a role as a stripper in a play and my friends were like, “You have to watch Rock of Love because it’s strippers on their down time.” I watched it all the way to the finale! I was outraged that he didn’t choose Daisy, really! [Still laughing].
[IMG:R]On working with Hilary Duff:
MT: Lovely, lovely.
On participating in Tribeca’s Film Festival–especially as a native New Yorker:
MT: Well, this is the first film I’ve had at this festival. I’m happy to have friends and family members come. It’s just a nice feeling. It’s close to my house! That’s good too.
On what it’s like to work with the Cusack siblings–John and Joan–icons of family talent in the business:
MT: He absolutely worships her [Joan], as she should be worshiped because she’s a genius. It’s just so beautiful to see it. Everything she does just cracks him up! Like, she’s the one in the family. Like you said, it’s this theatrical family and [with John] it’s like, “Joan’s the one. Joanie’s the one.” And just to see him appreciate his sister–it’s really cozy. I’m pretty tight with my brother, my cousins, my family is really close so I felt that similarity. I felt at home with their family because it reflected my family’s life as well.
