Ewan doesn’t burden his fellow artists with his problems, and neither do I. There’s so little mystery left in the world anyway, and particularly in our profession - which is built on mystery - I just don’t go around boring people with how I prepare. It’s my business.

- One scene that is so affecting is the scene of Hal alone at the club. You’re not even relating to the other actors, because Hal isn’t; he has the trepidation of being there alone, as the oldest person there, yet he’s enjoying taking it all in for the first time.

Oh, yes. It’s a terribly touching scene, and it was one of the scenes that made me want to play the part.

- Given that this was an independent film, did you bring your own outfits to the set?

Yes, I did bring some of my own clothes that I thought might be suitable for Hal. The wardrobe people were wonderful; I know they weren’t working for much money. None of us were, but we all had the same love and faith in the project.

- The old adage of not working with animals or children didn’t apply on this movie. Cosmo, the Jack Russell terrier playing Arthur, is a real scene-stealer –

I made sure that I stole the scene.

- You wrested it right back from him.

Absolutely. [laughs] He was great.

- You are a longtime dog owner and champion of them. Have you and your wife ever owned a Jack Russell, and if not has Cosmo spurred you to consider one?

No, and no; they’re far too aggressive, feisty, and intelligent for me.

- Were you at the Toronto Film Festival for the world premiere of Beginners?

Yes, but I had to leave in the middle of it because I was playing Prospero in The Tempest up at Stratford [, Ontario, onstage], and I had to go back for a performance. But I’d seen the movie before.

- What do you feel that Mike has gotten across, emotionally and aesthetically, which will hopefully impact audiences seeing the movie?

I don’t see how they can not like the movie; it’s very human. I should think it’ll work very well with audiences.

- Did playing Hal inspire you to take any chances that you hadn’t previously?

Oh, but I live my life like that anyway.

- Taking chances?

I hope so. Yeah.

Beginners is out now.

Tagged in