UNDER THE SCOPE: Up close Q-and-A with sexy Marisa Tomei

To promote her upcoming performance in the new film “The Wrestler,” Academy award- winning actress, Marisa Tomei (“My Cousin Vinnie”) met with The Daily Aztec for an intimate Q-and-A about her role in the film. Her character in this particular movie, a stripper named Cassidy/Pam, is complex, prone to numerous nude scenes and yet nurturing and understanding toward the film’s main character, Randy “Ram” Robinson (Mickey Rourke). Rourke stars as an aging professional wrestler trying to get the women in his life to accept his awkward attempts at love. During the interview, I asked her tough questions about her decision to bare it all, her process for getting into character and what she loves and hates about shooting a film in only 35 days.

The Daily Aztec: When you chose a role such as that of Cassidy, do you have to, in some way, identify with the character? Do you study the world of strip clubs or do character studies?

Marisa Tomei: Well, when something comes to me, and I’m considering doing it, there’s going to be many factors that play into it. First, I’m either going to be really drawn to it or I need the money (laughing) or there’s a commercial concern. But, if it’s landed on my doorstep, there has to be a reason. I never take any role for no reason, and certainly that was not the case with this role by a long shot. I always feel that I don’t know why this role is here for me, but I’m sure I will discover it in the process.

DA: So, as you make this discovery, do you find yourself identifying with the character?

MT: Exactly. It’s not that I am identifying from the beginning. As I go along, there’s something about a scene or a character that will start speaking to me or illuminate something for me in my own life.

DA: With only 35 days of production for this particular film, did you do a lot of director collaboration for this character development? Was this a challenging factor for you?

MT: It was hard because there wasn’t enough prep time. I’m really grateful that I got the part, but Darren (Aronofsky, director) didn’t give me the part until the last minute. He kind of hemmed and hawed (laughing). He made me sweat. So, I had a much shorter time to prepare than I would have liked. But, you just jump in and trust your gut and follow your instincts.

DA: The last film you starred in, “Before the Devil Knows You’re Dead,” opened with you in a pretty gratuitous sex scene with Phillip Seymour Hoffman. I know that you are very private about your personal life, yet in this film and “The Wrestler,” we are seeing a lot more of you bodily. Was this a conscious decision and, if so, or if not, was it a difficult decision to do the scenes?

MT: I don’t really know how the media perceives it. But, it just happened that way. I never know what film opportunity will come next. The fact that this film came right after Sidney Lumet asked me to do the previous film, I was kind of horrified. I was like, “What am I doing? People are not going to take me seriously! Why now? Really, Marisa, stop with this!” But, I really wanted to work with Darren. I was scared about how he was going to shoot me because both of the movies were low budget. I was concerned on a career level, on a vanity level, but I wasn’t so much concerned on a psychological level because it’s fine with me. I think when I was younger I didn’t want to do anything like that (nudity in film), because I wanted to be a quote-unquote “serious actress” (laughing).

DA: It’s funny that the media does figure that one isn’t “serious” if they appear nude in a film, especially if they are a very private person. I think it is entirely brave to open yourself up figuratively and literally for millions of viewers.

MT: Someone else asked me if this is me being exploited or is it empowering and she came down on the side of that it is empowering. And that’s what I tried to connect to in the character. I felt that she (Cassidy) loves to dance. It was an artistic expression for her. Maybe not every night that she dances she feels this way, but sometimes she has moments of transcendence.

DA: It seemed as well that Cassidy felt loved when she was dancing.

MT: Well, a lot of women talk about how stripping makes them feel confident. Now, I did not really know that because for my preparation I just practiced by myself in a room. I never had done it in front of people until the day we actually shot the scene in front of extras — strange men — and it was a strange moment to overcome (laughing).

DA: Did you feel that sense of confidence once you began the scene in front of all these random strangers?

MT: No! I felt really nervous. I felt like I would be judged. And I felt like I wasn’t getting a reaction, because there was this one guy who was supposed to put money into my G-string and he kept forgetting to do it! And I thought, “I’m not inspiring him! I can’t even earn a buck from this MFA extra!” But honestly, I think he was just paralyzed about being on-camera (giggling).

DA: Well, I’m sure he was nervous. Could you imagine if your first time meeting a major famous starlet, you’re asked to put money in her undies?

MT: Ha, I know! But you know, after a while, it became empowering to just know that “Wow, I just did that!” And after a while, I didn’t mind standing around naked, I love being naked. It’s easier than having someone come over and fuss with my clothes.

DA: What was it like working with Mickey Rourke? How did you feel doing scenes with him?

MT: Neither of us really like to talk that much about what we’re doing or articulating our characters, so that was nice.

DA: Is he as out of the ordinary of a person in real life as they say? I’ve read he’s very interesting to work with.

MT: He’s, um, very charming. He calls ‘em like he sees ‘em. And I think that’s really refreshing.

DA: How do you roll down after such an intense production time and how do you get in and out of such a complex character so quickly?

MT: I couldn’t wait for it to be over. It was too much. It was very demanding. It was exhilarating to meet the challenges, but I was happy when it was over.

DA: Do you prefer to do theater to film? I know you’ve been involved with “The Vagina Monologues” and other theater productions in the past.

MT: I do like to do stage better. And there are times where I felt like I’m not done with this run yet. But most of the time you have an internal rhythm, and you set to know when it’s going to end. It’s such a fact of this business. You’re forced to say goodbye a lot.

On that note, Tomei said goodbye to me as well. “The Wrestler” is being limitedly released into theaters on Dec. 17. It is something worth waiting for and should be added to your post-finals to-do list. Tomei is sure to impress viewers with her tenacity, grace and ability to take over the screen with her presence and charm.

For more information regarding the film, visit its Web site at www.thewrestlermovie.com.