RAMBO AND RATATOUILLE actor Brian Dennehy took part in one of The AV Club’s Random Roles interviews, in which he was invited to discuss some of the characters who defined his 40-year-long career.
One of these characters was Sorin in The Seagull (a film adaptation of the Chekhov play) which he worked on with Saoirse Ronan. Dennehy brushed over the fact that he loved this character and quickly moved on to the topic of our very own Saoirse Ronan, whom he happily gushed about.
Brian said that Saoirse is “easily, easily the most talented actor” he has ever worked with.
She is the most brilliantly talented actor I have ever worked with. She has a gift that is immeasurable. And every time she works, it knocks people out. There is something about that kid. Hell, what was that movie she was in when she was 12? And she was extraordinary in it?
The AV Club asked if Dennehy was referring to Atonement, and he told them “Yes.”
She’s mind-boggling. I mean, you stand there, and you’re in a scene with her, and you better pay attention because your mouth is going to be standing there hanging open. You forget your lines because she’s so extraordinary. She’s really been smart, and the people around her have been very smart about her career.
Dennehy thinks that Saoirse has perfected her routine – making a movie, receiving critical acclaim and awards before disappearing until the next role. He’s not wrong, considering the fact that Saoirse doesn’t even use social media.
She never has to worry about the kind of material she’s going to be given. She never has to worry about how her career is going, because she’s astounding. Astounding. And also terrific fun to be around. She’s a nice girl. She’s respectful and friendly. She’s not one of these people who is just, “I can’t stand the atmosphere. I’ve got to go to the place and be by myself. I’ll be ready when I’m ready.” She doesn’t do any of that shit. She’s normal and natural and sweet.
Dennehy went on and on about Saoirse in his interview, calling her ‘dazzling’, complimenting her ‘simplicity’, her sense of humour and her ability to surprise you.
She’s just an incredible talent. She’s the greatest acting talent I’ve ever worked with, and I have worked with everybody. I’ve worked with great actors. And she’s a great actor, but there’s something else there.
He speaks about her the way we all speak about people who we have just met in the queue for a bathroom on a night out.
She understands things, and her talent is such that she can take the scene, take the words, take the environment, the other actors, take the furniture and make it all into one seamless reality that is profound. There’s a deep, profound reality coming out of her eyes. As far as I’m concerned, there’s her, and then there’s other people. She’s in a class by herself, literally.
OK, seriously, how much does it cost to get this guy to write you a character reference?
