As an esteemed veteran of the silver screen, I must say that reading about the collaborative journey of Glenn and Bedford in the making of “Eugene the Marine” was nothing short of inspiring. The camaraderie between these two seasoned actors, coupled with their mutual dedication to the project, is a testament to the power of collaboration and the unspoken understanding that can develop between artists over time.
During the filming of an intense fight scene in “Eugene the Marine”, Scott Glenn, who was 85 years old at the time, took special care to ensure the safety of his co-star Jim Gaffigan. To prevent any accidental harm, he altered a stunt during the wild sequence.
Glenn mentions during a Zoom chat with Gaffigan for EbMaster, ‘My main focus at the end of this scene was ensuring it felt real but was safe as well.’ He explains, ‘For example, I used what’s called a ‘naked choke’ on Jim, though he might not know that. It’s important to note that while applying it, my bicep never came close to his carotid artery. If done incorrectly, pressure there could cut off blood supply to the brain and cause serious harm.’
For Glenn, it felt no different from a typical workday – “I often ponder such thoughts,” he quips humorously, causing Gaffigan to chuckle, for he knew too well that the fate of his character was in the hands of his fellow actor.
Currently, Glenn is swamped with commitments, including roles on “Bad Monkey,” a crime comedy for Apple TV+, and the upcoming season of “The White Lotus.” However, the action-thriller “Eugene the Marine,” penned and directed by Hank Bedford, offers a fresh perspective on Glenn. This role seems to echo his past, as it takes us back to his time in the U.S. Marine Corps, which spanned over three years.
In the movie, Glenn plays Gene Lee Grady, a solitary military man who’s grieving his deceased spouse and leads a peaceful life in his well-kept home. However, as he gradually lets more people into his daily life – such as a new acquaintance (Shioli Kutsuna), a possible romantic interest (Annette O’Toole), and a seedy local real estate agent (Gaffigan) – unsettling, violent secrets from the past begin to surface. While revealing further details might spoil the movie’s clever and startling turns, throughout much of the film, Glenn delivers a compelling performance as an unwilling hero.
Before taking on influential roles in iconic films such as “Nashville” (1975), “Apocalypse Now” (1979), “The Hunt for Red October” (1990) and “The Silence of the Lambs” (1991), Glenn was a young, inexperienced soldier – a fact that Bedford wasn’t aware of when he cast him as the lead actor.
Glenn explains that Hank gave him considerable freedom in shaping the character. He found Hank’s perspective on the project to be distinctive, spontaneous, and artistic, which made their conversations enjoyable. Therefore, Glenn chose to collaborate with him.
He recalls certain days as he stepped onto the set, where part of the set design felt like a reflection of his own life. “My real-life spouse, Carol, and I are depicted in some wedding photos,” he adds. However, there’s one image of him that was possibly taken after he completed Parris Island, a place where all Marines undergo intense training known as IT or infantry training regiment. He would look at this photo every morning, thinking, “I look like I’m just 12 years old.” If someone had told him then that the picture would be used as set decoration for a film – forget about playing the main character, but merely acting at all – he would have thought they were insane. Many aspects of his life seem to circle back on themselves while doing this work.
Glenn’s path to acting deviated from the typical route, as he initially pursued journalism following his service in the Marines. His ambition lay in writing, but he found it challenging to craft dialogue effectively, so he enrolled in acting classes to enhance his natural delivery. Surprisingly, this decision led him to land roles in stage plays, TV shows, and by 1970, films. Thus, he embarked on a solid acting career.
Glenn admits that he’s still mastering the art of acting. However, one key insight he’s gained so far is the importance of spontaneity in a performance, whether it’s funny or dramatic. The higher the level of being present in the moment, the more energy and magic the performance seems to have.
As a devoted cinephile, I can attest that even with his extensive Hollywood background, Glenn was an exceptional team player in breathing life into the character of Gene.
In his role as an actor, he contributed numerous creative suggestions for the script in a considerate and team-oriented manner. He was always eager to assist. Early on, he shared some thoughts with me that he had been hesitant about, fearing they might be intrusive. I encouraged him, telling him, “You’re enhancing the film, and that’s all that matters.
Additionally, there was a tacit agreement between the two individuals that they would each give their utmost effort towards the project’s completion.
As a film enthusiast, I must share some personal insights with you: Scott, in his twilight years, seemed deeply invested in this project. Although we never explicitly discussed it, there was an unspoken understanding that this might be his swan song. Consequently, he poured all his energy into it, putting in long hours and showing a palpable sense of dedication. It was clear that he was carrying the weight of this potential farewell with him, and his spirit felt somber during production.
Veteran actress O’Toole, known for her roles in “48 Hrs.” (1982), “Superman III” (1983) and the Netflix series “Virgin River,” expressed delight about collaborating with Glenn. She shared that she had always yearned to work alongside him throughout her career.
She remarks that her chemistry with Glenn is almost effortless, something that just happens naturally. She can’t recall ever establishing such a strong connection with another actor so swiftly. It felt as if they had known each other for years, both as individuals and performers, like two jigsaw puzzle pieces perfectly fitting together.
A significant portion of Glenn’s electricity stems from the diverse group of characters he portrays, with Gene encountering a wide range of individuals as his life expands, such as much younger acquaintances, his middle-aged son, and an age-compatible love interest. Gaffigan expresses excitement about the movie’s unique blend of actors.
He remarks, “Clearly it’s a captivating thriller with various genre aspects blended in, yet what intrigued me most was its unique exploration of diverse American generations and viewpoints. The characters’ flaws could also be seen as strengths, which I found compelling. This perspective doesn’t necessarily relate to my character, but I appreciated the insight into the multi-generational dynamics, spanning from millennials to baby boomers. It was quite an intriguing mix.
Glenn agrees, noting that he’s lucky to find roles that push him as an actor.
As a dedicated movie enthusiast, I’ve found myself in some roles these past few projects where I had a walker, and others where I was battling Alzheimer’s. It seems like the scriptwriters are following a predictable pattern: “He’s lost a step, he’s using a cane now, but he’s still sharp.” However, I’m 85 years old, I keep myself fit by working out, hiking mountains, and doing intense pushups and kettlebell swings. It’s ageism that I see in these conventional storytelling methods. It’s challenging to discern if I’m being oversensitive about all this or not.
Nevertheless, movies such as “Eugene the Marine” help keep Glenn grounded in the current moment and excited for what’s ahead.
He expresses his optimism, saying, “I believe there’s a wonderful surprise hidden somewhere in my uncharted tomorrow.” He continues, “I suspect that both the best and the worst experiences I’ll encounter in the future are things I’m currently unaware of.
“Eugene the Marine” is currently seeking distribution.
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2024-10-24 04:17