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Emma Thompson has been giving interviews ahead of the June 7 release of Late Night, which co-stars Mindy Kaling. She recently sat down with The New York Times for a profile in which she discussed numerous topics, chief among them turning 60 in April, which shook her “sense of self.” That realization surprised Thompson and may likewise surprise fans, who probably think of her as sure of herself, given that she’s never afraid to stand up for her principles.
She made headlines earlier this year when she pulled out of Skydance Media’s production Luck after John Lasseter joined the company. As a quick refresher, Lasseter was a co-founder of Pixar, and left the company following allegations of sexual harassment. He very quickly found his next job at Skydance. Thompson wasted no time sending a letter to management pulling out of the film. She also addresses in the New York Times profile how her privilege allowed her to leave the project, whereas other people who need that paycheck may not have had that option.
On people saying 60 is the new 40
The denial of aging is unhealthy. It’s always been bollocks.On her identity
There’s lots of these roles that are in fact imposed on you by society, for years and years and years, then you suddenly go — am I any of those things? And if I’m not, who am I?The eternal question, which I never thought I’d ask, is who am I? I was always so sure. As it turns out, I have no idea.
On cast & crew thanking her after she quit a job working with John Lasseter
They’re the ones who are brave. I can go onto another project and get paid. For other people, it’s not so easy.On if men named in the MeToo movement might make comebacks
I don’t want to be thinking about men’s problems at the moment, thanks so much. I’m sure they’ll grow up and sort it out. Because it’s their problem, not mine.If you get born into this body [as a woman], it’s a different journey. Whether you like it or not.
On roles for women being limited and unrealistic
Women now invent the weapons and shoot the weapons and are tough and not allowed to cry. We skipped from being in the kitchen to being in the tank, and there’s nothing in between. So we still have failed to explore and bring to the screen what being a woman is. The infectious
I always appreciate that Emma has the courage of her convictions, and here that she acknowledges that she has a lot of clout and opportunities. She might come across otherwise as out-of-touch if she didn’t say as much, since the reality is that there are probably people still working at Skydance (and elsewhere) who would love to leave their jobs but can’t because they can’t afford it. She’s also not wrong about roles for women; maybe if more women directors get films greenlit this will change. (I know that’s a tall order.)
Photos credit: WENN and Getty
If only she could be my friend.
Mine too!
That’s an interesting premiere look. Very cool and casual. And I agree with everything she said.
Yes, same here.
I love her, but I am not feeling that sartorial combo.
She’s always had quite a different sense of style. I never know quite what to make of her outfits, but she likes them & that’s all that matters.
Not just women directors but women writers too.
Yes! Speaking of. I saw “Booksmart” this holiday weekend. The whip-smart script was written by 3 (4?) women and directed by Olivia Wilde. I liked it so much, I’ve been telling all my friends about it.
ETA: Emma’s film (written by Kaling) is also on my calendar for opening weekend.
Absolutely love her and all she says. I am trying to embody more of her way of looking at the world as I go into my thirties and to deal with my problems without feeling the need to take on everyone elses (especially people who are more than able to take care of themselves but don’t.)
Oh Reeta Skeeter …… when you figure out how to do this. Please let me know. XO
I changed my therapist as I realised I kept doing this. This is the Era of Cee: I will take care of myself, I will heal and improve. And then I will think about taking someone else’s problems.
I love a properly aging woman. I feel like this is what my daughter needs to see. Not the Kardashians. We need real role models. Women who aren’t afraid of aging and life.
“I’m sure they’ll grow up and sort it out.”
What did she mean by this? The sexual abuse perpetrated by those men wasn’t done out of immaturity. They knew what they were doing, knew it was wrong. That’s why they isolated and gaslit their victims.
I read it to mean it isn’t the job of women and the rest of society to coddle these men and help them repair their previous errors. They’re adults. They’ll have to grow into understanding of their inappropriate behavior themselves.
I read “they’ll” as the general population of men, not the rancid Weinsteins of the world. They never (or rarely, if I’m being charitable) grow and learn
Ah, that makes more sense. Thanks!
She was asked about men exposed by the MeToo movement being able to come back. She’s saying it’s not her job to rehabilitate or even worry about rehabilitating badly behaving adult men. They’ll either change or they won’t and they’ll have to suffer whatever repercussions come from that on their own.
I admire Emma, she is so multi-talented, no dress sense of course, but it adds to her persona.
She has the best kind of dress sense…her own.
Did you ever see her wedding dress to Kenneth Branagh? I read years later, someone, maybe a journalist asked her about KB’s infidelity / taking up with Helena Bonham Carter. “Well, we’re both actresses with a weird sense of fashion, so I guess he has a ‘type’. “
I love it! This was the perfect thing to read this morning.
Also, her silk pajamas & sneaks are amazing.
I have loved her since Henry V. People can bash her fashion sense all they like, but I just hope I look half as healthy and alive as she does if and when I turn 60. As for her comments, I have so often found her very cut-the-crap prespective to be refreshingly authentic and thoughtful. She is a legend.
Ahhh that’s the perfect answer to a question a lot get so wronggg. I hope she doesn’t mind if I use that as well
I was never a fan of Emma. I didn’t dislike her but didn’t understand what the hoopla was – I didn’t think she was enormously clever or even funny in movies, talk shows or interviews (although I do recognize she is a very talented filmmaker – loved Sense and Sensibility).
But in this NYTimes piece, I found her enormously likable. I’m not quite her age but her sentiments of trying to figure out how to age, who she is as her physical self starts to change, and facing all that as a woman rings so true to me. I feel like now more than ever, women need to be honest with their struggles so change can be made in the way our society sees, understands and treats women.
BTW – sartorially, she is still a disaster – but sort of like that she doesn’t care.
Can’t remember a time when I wasn’t in love with Dame Emma.
Ugh I love her
She’s one of those people who, every time I come across an interview with her, I like her even more.
But, there’s something off on the last quote you pulled from the NYT article. Not sure where “infectious” came from. The next paragraph starts with “The exception…” not “The infectious…”
“Women now invent the weapons and shoot the weapons and are tough and not allowed to cry,” Thompson said. “We skipped from being in the kitchen to being in the tank, and there’s nothing in between. So we still have failed to explore and bring to the screen what being a woman is.”