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The 2014 sci-fi epic “Interstellar,” directed by Christopher Nolan, is renowned for its intricate narrative, traversing both time and the cosmos. Despite the complexity, the emotional core of the film remains impactful, particularly in a poignant scene where Joseph “Coop” Cooper, played by Matthew McConaughey, views two decades’ worth of messages from his children, who have grown up during his absence in space. Initially filled with joy at seeing their faces, Coop is soon overwhelmed by the realization of all he has missed.
McConaughey’s portrayal in this scene is a testament to his exceptional acting prowess, illustrating the depth of his talent when matched with compelling material. His tearful expression became one of the most memorable aspects of “Interstellar,” which received mixed reviews overall, and even led to a popular meme. Surprisingly, this raw and emotional performance wasn’t the result of extensive rehearsals but was captured in a single take, joining the ranks of challenging scenes executed perfectly on the first attempt.
Reflecting on that day, McConaughey shared, “It was a Monday morning, and it was the first scene up.” As director Nolan prepared to film, McConaughey chose to experience the video messages in character, unprepared, for authentic reactions. “All of a sudden things came over, and cameras were there, and we played the tape. And again, this is that first take. That’s the one we use,” he recounted.
McConaughey had no trouble convincing Nolan how to approach the scene
When questioned about how he achieved such an emotionally charged response, McConaughey revealed that it drew from a profound, personal fear. He explained, “The gap, the dread of having to miss that in my own life with my own kids, I just reacted, which is what I’ve learned I like to do if you’ve got scenes like that.”
“It was a Monday morning, and it was the first scene up,” McConaughey recalled. “I remember we got in, and Nolan was gonna set up some wides. They were about to play the tape.” However, before Nolan could review the footage with McConaughey, the actor insisted on reacting to the videos in character seeing them for the first time. “All of a sudden things came over, and cameras were there and we played the tape. And again, this is that first take. That’s the one we use,” McConaughey shared.
When asked what he had to do to elicit such a gut wrenching reaction, McConaughey explained that it came from a deep, personal place, stating, “The gap, the dread of having to miss that in my own life with my own kids, I just reacted, which is what I’ve learned I like to do if you’ve got scenes like that.”
