Doubt - Amy Adams interview

AMY Adams is no slouch when it comes to the awards season… having already been nominated for Oscars and Golden Globes for her performances in Junebug and Enchanted, she’s just landed another for her portrayal of a conflicted nun in Doubt.

She tells us what it’s like overcoming her own intimidation of appearing alongside co-stars such as Meryl Streep and Philip Seymour Hoffman, and why performing with no make-up is so freeing. She was speaking at a UK press conference...

Q. Did you regard this as a big scary leap for you, or just a great job?
Amy Adams: Both. I think any time you put yourself out there as an actor and try to step outside of what people know you as, or your comfort zone, and, of course, stepping into a room with Meryl Streep, Philip Seymour Hoffman, John Patrick Shanley and Viola Davis… they’re amazing actors, not only on film but on stage. I was really excited about the challenge. I had a lot of fear but I love to challenge myself, so I saw it as a great opportunity to do that.

Q. You play intimidation brilliantly in the film, so how much of it was for real given who you were playing against? And do you look at Meryl as the perfect career model for you?
Amy Adams: Well, of course Meryl is a great model but there’s only one Meryl Streep and she has the career that she has. I’m hoping I can have my own. Of course, she’s an exquisite role model but I would never try to have anyone else’s career. Regarding the intimidation, Meryl is one of the most warm, witty, funny people that I know and that I’ve worked with. So, whatever intimidation was there was purely created by my own insecurities.

Of course, it’s not playing easy playing this type of character no matter who you are. But I wasn’t intimidated. We went through the rehearsal process and I have to say that once we were there, we were all playing our characters, who were all there telling their stories using Shanley’s words. When I looked at Meryl, I wasn’t looking at her as the Goddess that she is, I was looking at her as a brilliant scene partner and a wonderful support on set.

Q. How was it acting with so little make-up? And was it quicker for you in the morning?
Amy Adams: I’ve had that question a lot. In my own life, when I’m not in front of you all I don’t really wear a lot of make-up. So, I’ve never really been afraid to show that side of me on-screen. I prefer for people to see what I really like, in order to keep the expectations low! That’s what I look like and I accepted that a long time ago, so I love it… like Meryl, I find it very liberating. So, yes it took a lot of time off my preparation and I was very grateful for the extra half hour or hour in bed.