Paul Schrader Thinks Richard Gere Lost His ‘Buzz Factor,’ but Hopes ‘Oh, Canada’ Reinvigorates It
While his work often carries a certain subtlety, Paul Schrader himself tends to be more direct. The 78 year-old filmmaker often takes to social media to share his opinion on films, actors, or the news of the day and now that he’s promoting his recently released “Oh, Canada,” he’s found even more ways to amplify his unfiltered thoughts. Speaking in a recent interview with Vulture, Schrader directed his hot takes towards collaborator Richard Gere. Prior to re-teaming on “Oh, Canada,” Gere and Schrader worked together on “American Gigolo” at a time when the actor was at his peak. Schrader had noticed Gere’s star fall over the years and felt him playing an older, ill man would help revitalize his image.
“It was a good challenge. And he welcomed it, because people were getting a hermetic idea of what a Richard Gere role was. The buzz factor had gone down. So him playing aged and infirm — there’s going to be a buzz,” Schrader said. “In fact, it was harder to make him look 80 than it was to make him look 40! That had to do with the color of his skin. Tan as a mailman! He said to me, ‘I’m always the reddest person onscreen.’ Once I realized that, you take the red out of his face, then you can make him look unhealthy.”
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Earlier in the interview, Schrader pointed out that other actors such as “Anthony Hopkins or Ed Harris” would’ve been just as good, but the fact that audiences hadn’t seen Gere play this kind of role would draw attention and that’s key for an independent filmmaker.
“I raise independent money on these films, so in order to get distribution, I have to sell them at the film festivals. You need a hook, to catch people’s attention,” said Schrader. “I was thinking, ‘Richard’s never played old. That’s an interesting concept. I think people would be interested in that, and it would be good for him, too.’ So I asked him the three questions I ask every time I send a script: ‘(1) Are you available this year? (2) Will I get an answer in a week? (3) Do you understand my financial parameters?’ And if I don’t get three yeses, I don’t send a script.”
Gere was impressed with the performance Schrader got out of Ethan Hawke in “First Reformed” and made note of it to him at an awards ceremony. In working together later on “Oh, Canada,” the director was excited to get the chance to push some of Gere’s habits away in a similar fashion and create something new.
“Particularly well-known actors, they get a set of mannerisms and they fall into them, and most directors encourage that,” Schrader said to Vulture. “I knew all of Richard’s mannerisms, down to his shoulders, with his neck and his cheeks, his hips, his feet.”
“Oh, Canada” is currently in theaters from Kino Lorber.
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