The Post-Graduate
Guardian Unlimited
James Mottram
July 20, 2002
The Post-Graduate
After a run of terrible British youth movies, Matthew Rhys nearly gave up acting - but then he saw Anthony Hopkins' Tommy Cooper impression
Until he starred opposite Kathleen Turner in the West End production of The Graduate two years ago, Cardiff-born Matthew Rhys, 26, was fast becoming synonymous with British film flops. Julie Taymor's astounding Titus aside, duds such as Peaches, Sorted, Shooters and Whatever Happened To Harold Smith? were blighting his CV with worrying regularity. But mud rarely sticks to RADA graduate Rhys, often the only reason any of these Brit-flicks are worth watching. This week, he leads Stefan Schwartz's The Abduction Club, an 18th-century romp that sees him and Daniel Lapaine playing two aristocratic rogues who set out to kidnap a pair of suitable heiresses to marry.
What did you find out about the true-life "abduction clubs"?
There wasn't that much written about them. The little we did find out was that they were quite violent. The abduction would take place and rape would follow quickly after. A lot of them were hanged for it.
How did you view your character, Strang?
We stuck with a recurring theme, which was Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, with me as Sundance. Not that I like to compare myself to Redford, but in character terms, he's the quieter of the two. He would rather punch people than talk - a man of action. He's one of those characters that I grew up loving. I was a sucker for McQueen, Eastwood and all those boys. For me, it's a return to boyhood fantasies. When you're young, you always want to gallop around on horses, shoot guns, have sword-fights and get the girl. I used to pretend to gallop in my garden. I mimed and acted out everything!
How do you look back on The Graduate now?
Much as I loved it, I found it extremely nerve-racking, particularly the endless comparisons to Dustin Hoffman. Almost everyone over a certain age had seen the film, and came in with a strong view of what it meant to them. To bring a new life to a character that has been set in stone was very hard. But I did get to meet James Coburn. He came to see it and he hugged me. So I've been hugged by one of the Magnificent Seven.
Have you ever thought about giving acting up?
Yes, in all honesty. This is the kind of profession where many do because of the insecurity that comes with it. There are moments which are pretty dark because you get a stinging review. For me, there's been no formula that has got me through that. Usually, it's advice from older actors that helps. You can't take it as personally as some reviews can be or it will get inside your head.
What's the worst review you can remember?
Someone said I walked like a chicken for Sorted.
You worked with fellow Welshman Anthony Hopkins on Titus. How did you find that?
You spend years with your mates watching his films, analysing every minute of what he does, then you find yourself acting with him. It was really weird. What I was most excited about was finding out how he does it, but you don't. He's doing his Tommy Cooper impressions right up until "action", then he's in floods of tears until "cut", and straight back into Tommy Cooper.
What's next for you?
I've just finished shooting opposite Billy Elliot's Jamie Bell, in a first world war film called Deathwatch. I also star in Tabloid, in which I play the host of a sleazy television show.
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