The 2013 Oscar Nominees Luncheon took place Feb. 4 at the Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, Calif. Nominees gathered to have lunch, pose for photos, receive their official Academy Award nomination certificate, and do interviews. (The 85th annual Oscar ceremony takes place Feb. 24, 2013, at the DolbyTheatre in Los Angeles. ABC has the live U.S. telecast of the show at 8:30 p.m. EST/5:30 p.m. PST.) Here is what this Oscar nominee said when doing a brief press conference interview in the Oscar Nominees Luncheon’s press room.
JACKI WEAVER
Nominated for:
Best Supporting Actress
“Silver Linings Playbook” really humanizes mental illness. What did you learn about mental illness that you maybe didn’t know before doing this movie?
Like most people, I have acquaintances and friends who have problems with psychological ailments. I did a lot of research, and I’ve got a couple of girlfriends who are clinical psychologists. And I also know a couple of psychiatrists myself. And one of the things since the film has come out is that they’ve all responded positively saying that it is the best depiction and the most authentic portrayal of mental illness that they’ve ever seen. And they’re professionals.
I’ve had people walking up to me in the street, but apparently the [“Silver Linings Playbook”] website is filled with messages of people saying how it resonated with them. And [“Silver Linings Playbook” screenwriter/director] David O. Russell has gone on record as saying that he made the film partly so that his son would not feel that he was on his own. And I think this has been proven by all the response it’s had.
Is there a time when you can sit back and think, “I’ve made it?”
No. I do think that I’m very lucky that after a very contented jobbing acting career for 50 years that two years ago, I never dreamed I’d be embraced so kindly and generously by the American film community. It’s a measure of, without pissing in your pockets, how kind this country is and generous. I’m amazed. I still can’t believe it’s happened to me.
The American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) gave you a prize at their Movies for Grownups Awards. Can you say how you feel about being recognized by the 50-plus crowd?
I didn’t know I was. I’m a lot more than 50-plus. I’m 65 and very happy about it, I have to say. That’s very nice. Thank you. On retrospect, that’s lovely. It’s even more fun when schoolboys in the street recognize me.
For more info: Oscars website
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