He has already won the Golden Globe twice and been nominated twice more, but the fact that his work in Alexander Payne's Between Drinks (2004), the film that made him known as an actor, has been ignored by this award and also by the Academy gives special importance to the fifth nomination he received for Los que se quedan, the film that premieres on January 3 and that marks his reunion with the director, in addition to 'having made him a potential candidate for a second Oscar nomination. Paul Giamatti overflows with talent in his interpretation of a peculiar high school teacher who has to be left in charge of a small group of backward students during the Christmas holidays. Next to him shine two revelations, the debutant Dominic Sessa and the ascendant Da'Vine Joy Randolph, also nominated for the Globe as best supporting actress.
While filming Los que se quedan, did you feel that you were creating something special?
The truth is, you never know. Since Alexander was also there, I imagined it would be something special, at least for those of us who participated. We all loved the story and that's why we had a great time during the shoot. Obviously, one hopes that the audience will also have a good time with the result. And when things like this happen, when the audience responds as they have so far, it's wonderful. I think the key to Alexander's films is that they all essentially have a lot of humanity. His characters are real people, with whom one can identify. This is what happens with this film, it has a message of connection, of empathy, of caring for others. The world is totally crazy right now, and to be able to immerse yourself in a drama as simple as this, with these three people who are alone in such a big place and discovering each other, is truly beautiful.
19 years ago he played one of cinema's most unforgettable drunkards in Entre copes. At what point did you add it to this new project of yours?
When he told me about it, he simply said he'd been preparing something he thought I'd be interested in, inspired by a 1930s French film called Merlusse, which has basically the same story: a man who has to take care a group of students during the Christmas holidays. Then he sent me a first draft of the script, which then didn't change much when it came time to shoot. He told me that he had me in mind from the beginning for the role of Paul Hunham, I guess because there are many elements in my personal life that match what is shown in the film.
Do you feel that your background influenced the way you played Hunham?
Totally, and in ways that even I didn't realize. It's funny, everyone in my family is a teacher and that was a huge influence. Also what I feel for the teachers and the teachers. I was inspired by teachers I had at the school I went to, and people who worked with my parents.
How would you describe your relationship with Alexander Payne?
It's the best working relationship I've had in my entire career. Besides, we are friends. It's a friendship that has grown over the years. He is the best director I have ever worked with. It's really fun, and when we're doing a movie together, it's something that's happening, we don't talk about it much. He gives directions and suggests simple ideas, but the goal while filming is to have fun.
Many of the characters you've played are chubby, and yet you're the exact opposite in person. Why do you think they are offering you these roles?
I don't know, but Rondinaires are great characters to play. They are complicated and interesting. Many times they are funny, which is also very good. They usually say and do things that I would never do. I'm not like that, thank God. If I was, I guess no one would hire me. I guess for some very strange reason they are papers that allow me to give myself permissions that I wouldn't otherwise be given. I don't know if I'm the one who seeks them, these roles, or if I attract them. Maybe I bring something personal to these characters. What I'm sure of is that when you've done something well, especially if it's a leading role, they want you to do it again, and that's not a bad thing. I'm not complaining.
