Timothy Spall hasn’t picked up paintbrush since immersive ‘Mr. Turner’ role
Posted September 7, 2014 10:20 am.
This article is more than 5 years old.
TORONTO – British actor Timothy Spall spent two years learning to paint in order to play J.M.W. Turner in Mike Leigh’s acclaimed new biopic “Mr. Turner,” but don’t expect him to create any artwork in the near future.
“I had to concentrate on it so hard that actually I haven’t been able to pick up a paintbrush since,” the veteran actor said Sunday at the Toronto International Film Festival.
“I’m waiting for the dust to settle. I just drew a weird thing … on the back of an envelope and thought: ‘No that’s not very good, I’m not going to continue.’ That’s the trouble. Whereas I used to draw things without judging them, now I know whether they’re any good.”
Spall — known for his role as Wormtail in the “Harry Potter” movies — is already receiving Oscar buzz for his incarnation of the 19th century painter, which won him the best actor prize at Cannes.
He says he’s “astounded” by all of the kudos, but also a bit leery.
“It’s exciting, but I’m very ambivalent about it. I’m very pleased, personally, obviously, because I’ve had my fair share of kicks in the ass,” he said. “But I’m still a little bit wary of it.”
Co-starring Marion Bailey and Dorothy Atkinson, the film — set to open in December — delves into the challenges Turner encountered from the artistic establishment and also addresses his complicated love life.
Some critics are calling “Mr. Turner” the best film to date for Leigh, the British master whose lengthy resume also includes the Oscar-nominated “Secrets and Lies.”
Spall says his lengthy career has helped him put the rave reviews in perspective.
“I’ve been around a long time. If I was 27 instead of 57, it might all be going to my giddy little head. But I’m not saying I’m cynical about it, it’s quite the opposite. I’m just trying to not get whipped up in it.”
The Toronto International Film Festival runs until Sept. 14.
