‘The Sticky’ Star Margo Martindale on ‘Playing Psycho’ to Defy the ‘Invisibility of the Older Woman’ in the Comic Maple Syrup Heist Thriller

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As a longtime fan of Margo Martindale‘s riveting performances, I can confidently say that her latest role in “The Sticky” is nothing short of extraordinary. In this captivating series, she breathes life into Ruth Landry, a maple syrup farmer grappling with desperation and fighting for survival. This character is a testament to Martindale’s ability to embody complex, unforgettable women on screen.

Margo Martindale has consistently portrayed powerful, impactful, and slightly eccentric characters throughout her career. In Amazon Prime’s latest series “The Sticky,” she takes on the main role for the first time, tackling what could be her most substantial character to date: a distressed maple syrup farmer.

Martindale says, ‘This is a woman in a dire situation who manages to struggle for survival.’ To him, her determination brought on laughter, yet he admits he was unfamiliar with the circumstances she found herself in.

The TV show from Canada draws inspiration, albeit loosely, from a well-known maple syrup theft incident that took place in Quebec between 2011 and 2012. Over an extended period, criminals made off with over $18.7 million worth of this precious liquid (Canadian pure maple syrup is approximately 30 times more costly than oil), eventually selling it to unsuspecting and legitimate distributors.

The TV show is a fresh retelling of those events, featuring fictional characters as the protagonists in a heist plot. Leading this group is Ruth Landry, played by Martindale, who is battling to save her Quebec maple syrup farm while looking after an unwell husband. In the early stages, she teams up with Remy Bouchard, a struggling security guard (portrayed by Guillame Cyr), and Mike Byrne, a minor Boston mobster (Chris Diamantopoulos).

The series was jointly developed by Brian Donovan and Ed Herro, following an intriguing tale of a heist that Donovan heard from his Canadian brother-in-law during Christmas six years ago. This criminal activity in and around Montreal piqued Donovan’s interest, leading him and Herro to brainstorm fresh characters for the story just a week later.

To be straightforward, the actual theft was meticulously planned yet surprisingly dull. What they did was gradually, stealthily take syrup for several months,” Herro explains. “Eventually, they were caught, and that marked the end of the tale.

According to Donovan, these individuals seem unlikely to accomplish such a task as this high-stakes operation. After all, pulling off a $20 million heist is no simple feat.

Securing Martindale’s participation was like a cherished aspiration for the creators, who vividly remember her immersing herself in the character. The actress, unfamiliar with the heist, discloses that there were numerous discussions about imbuing the narrative with a “Fargo”-like atmosphere, brimming with black humor and breathtaking Quebec landscapes.

As a cinephile, I draw immense inspiration from heist films, but for our series, we aimed to elevate that genre significantly, particularly in terms of atmosphere. We’re avid admirers of the Coen Brothers and Noah Hawley’s work. We wanted to put our unique spin on it, and without a doubt, ‘Fargo’ left a substantial impact on us. Additionally, discussions revolved around “Breaking Bad,” “Better Call Saul,” “Silence of the Lambs,” and Quentin Tarantino’s musical approach in crafting the ambiance for “The Sticky.

Since we had no experience with heists, we felt it was important to familiarize ourselves with the classics of heist films and television series,” he explains.

Martindale notes a similarity reminiscent of Sam Shepard’s style, particularly as seen in ‘True West’. This work carries the intensity of those two brothers’ predicament. He recalls watching this production multiple times with John Malkovich and Gary Sinise, erupting in laughter at the portrayed desperation.

Initially, Ruth Landry’s sense of urgency is noticeable when you first encounter her. A manipulative maple syrup official named Léonard Gauthier (played by Guy Nadon) is forcing her to sell her farm, leaving her distressed as she tries to cope with her ailing spouse and red tape that threatens to spoil the entire season’s production of syrup.

For a moment, Ruth is gently caring by her husband’s side. Then suddenly, she’s shouting at the top of her lungs and hacking away at a tree buried in snow up to its waist, channeling her anger to the maximum. A few scenes later, she’s coolly devising a criminal plan. What makes the character intriguing is empathizing with her without knowing what unexpected actions she might take next.

Martindale finds it quite enjoyable, he chuckles, as he delves into the role of playing a psychopath. He explains that Ruth exhibits both anger and emotion in small doses, which makes the performance all the more exciting for him.

Since her memorable performance as the difficult mother in Clint Eastwood’s “Million Dollar Baby,” casting directors have been interested in Martindale for such roles. Over the years, she has gained recognition for portraying intricate female characters on shows like “The Americans,” “Justified,” “Fargo,” and “The Good Wife.” What sets this opportunity apart is that she will be transitioning from a supporting character to a leading role.

Over the past decade, the absence of older women in the spotlight has been a subject of discussion, and Martindale believes they are defying that perception. Now at 73, she had always envisioned herself working into her later years. The experience of playing complex female characters with darker aspects, which was an unexpected but delightful journey, is one she’s currently experiencing.

She mentions that perhaps the audience identifies with these characters because there’s enthusiasm and amusement in her portrayal. She goes on to say, “I can depict a situation where I slit a man’s throat and let him bleed out, explaining why I despise him. That seems to be something only possible in an imaginary setting, doesn’t it?

“The Sticky” debuts on Prime Video Dec. 6.

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2024-12-07 03:47