Julianne Moore receives Rome’s career award from Jesse Eisenberg
Julianne Moore received the Rome Film Festival’s career award on 21 October while presenting Jesse Eisenberg’s The Debut. The actor plays a New Jersey housewife who finds a place in an amateur musical. She discussed learning to sing and the part’s transformation, while Eisenberg recalled the sense of belonging he found in amateur theatre as a child.
Arts··Evening
Rome honours Moore’s career
Julianne Moore received the Rome Film Festival’s career award from actor and director Jesse Eisenberg on the evening of 21 October. She was also in the Italian capital with The Debut – La grande occasione, Eisenberg’s third feature as director. Accepting the honour, Moore thanked the people whose work had enabled her to interpret their language and convey their feelings through her acting.[1], [2]
In the film, Moore plays Mona Friedman, a housewife in New Jersey in the 1990s. Her husband and children pay her little attention. Joining an amateur theatre company gives her a role in a musical about the eccentric inhabitants of a dilapidated apartment building. Paul Giamatti plays Jerry, the demanding director who leads the group.[1]
Mona learns to perform Miss Danielle
Preparing Miss Danielle, the character within Mona’s stage role, involves finding a walk, a wig and a voice. Moore described drawing inspiration from musical performers Liza Minnelli, Chita Rivera and Patti LuPone. She learned to sing during the work, concentrating on telling a story through the song rather than displaying an exceptional voice. Eisenberg said he had written the role thinking of Moore’s face, body and voice, and her ability to handle comedy as well as drama.[2]
Mona’s wish to be appreciated also leaves her exposed to Jerry’s harshness. Her new confidence develops alongside that demanding relationship. Moore described acting as an imaginative activity that connects authentic emotions with fictional situations. Eisenberg said the film’s visual world moves between reality and fantasy in response to Mona’s feelings.[1], [2]
Eisenberg recalls finding a home in amateur theatre
Eisenberg links the story to his childhood, when he felt shy, isolated and out of place. He said an amateur company had given him a home and a family among people who felt like him. He also performs in the film’s musical. Moore spoke about the possibility of change at different ages and in different circumstances, while describing her pleasure in ordinary routines such as taking the subway and shopping. Going to the gym without makeup was another ordinary habit she described.[2]
Moore expressed admiration for directors but said she did not see directing as part of her own future. She recalled that on her first film, a horror production, she had been expected to drive despite having no licence. The car was pushed into the shot to avoid engine noise, sparing her from explaining that she could not drive.[1]
