Guy Pearce is having a moment – not that he’s gone at all. “It’s funny when people say, ‘Wow, I’m back,'” he says. diverseAwards Circuit Podcast. “And I’m like ‘Where did you go?’ Didn’t I go anywhere?”
With a career spanning three decades, Pierce has always been a highly respected actor, and he was equally convincing as the clean-cut, ambitious detective in “LA Confidential” (1997) or the amnesiac unraveling his mystery in “Memento” (2001). Now he’s attracting attention again with a complex and disturbing performance in Brady Corbett’s epic “The Brutalist.”
But for Pierce, success was always based on the material. “I always find that my best work usually comes when the writing is really good,” Pierce says during our conversation. “You feel inspired, dancing on top of what the writer has created. When the script is there, everything else falls into place. Listen below!”
A24’s “The Brutalist” tells the story of an architect (Adrien Brody) navigating trauma, ambition and relationships in the aftermath of World War II when he immigrates to America from Hungary. Pierce plays his artistic hero, the wealthy Harrison Lee Van Buren.
For Pearce, the role was irresistible. “I read the script and loved it immediately,” he recalls. “It was one of those moments where I thought: ‘If I don’t do this, I’m going to regret it.'”
Before “LA Confidential” and “Memento,” Pearce honed his craft in Australian theater and television. Growing up in Geelong, a small city in Australia, Pearce’s early exposure to acting came from his mother, who loved to take him to the theatre. “I would watch these actors on stage and think: ‘I want to do that.’ I want to make people feel what I feel right now,” he says.
Pearce is effusive in his praise of Corbett, whose previous films he admired (including “Vox Lux” and “The Childhood of a Leader”). “Brady has an incredible sense of style and flair. He’s one of those directors who knows exactly what he wants to say, and that clarity is an actor’s dream,” says Pierce. “He looks at characters in their most three-dimensional, psychological version. That’s what excites me – exploring all the subtleties of human nature.
The admiration extends to his colleague Brody, who is credited with directing the film: “Adrian is a natural actor,” Pearce says. “He has this quiet self-confidence and the ability to give performances that seem effortless. Watching him in The Pianist again before we started filming reminded me why he won an Oscar. But to see him up close was a privilege.”
“The Brutalist” is generating awards buzz, highlighting Pierce’s sinister and commanding presence on his dark and morally charged journey. One of the film’s later scenes, in which a character’s fate is left open to interpretation, sparked intense debate. “I like scripts to leave room for the audience’s imagination,” says Pierce. “Does he find redemption or disappear into the ether? That’s for you to decide.”
Few films have had the cultural and critical impact of Curtis Hanson’s “LA Confidential,” the 1997 neo-noir that made Pierce an international name. For Pierce, this experience remains one of his most cherished. “It was my first American film, and what a way to start,” he says. “Curtis has created a masterpiece. It’s one of those rare projects where everything is just one click away — writing, casting, direction.”
Fans have often wondered about the possibility of a sequel, since James Ellroy’s source material includes continuations of the story in other novels. Pearce confirms that discussions took place before Hanson’s death in 2016. “We talked about making a sequel (which would take place) in 1963, but Curtis was clear: the same team had to be involved. If it wasn’t done fairly, it wouldn’t be worth doing.” “With it.”
While he’s open to revisiting beloved projects, Pearce approaches the sequels with caution. “When you’re dealing with something as lauded as L.A. Confidential, you have to wonder: Does this live up to the original?” If not, it could tarnish what made the first film special. Sequences are a difficult balance.
One of Pierce’s most famous roles came in Christopher Nolan’s 2000 thriller Memento. The film, which is told in reverse chronological order, remains a touchstone in both Pierce’s career and modern cinema. “I remember reading the script and thinking: ‘This is genius.’ Then I saw Chris Nolan’s first film ‘Following’ and I panicked. I thought there was no way I was going to get this part. Someone else is going to pick it up.
Working with Nolan left a lasting impression. “Chris is extraordinary. He has a Kubrick-like precision and a way of making even the most complex ideas accessible to everyone. Being in such an intimate setting with him was unforgettable,” Pearce recalls. “It’s incredible to see how far he has come – winning Oscars.” And directing huge films such as “Oppenheimer”. But for me, it is still that first experience of seeing his genius up close that stands out.”
Pierce’s career has been defined by his ability to adapt, finding richness in roles large and small, and working with an enviable roster of directors. “I’ve been fortunate to collaborate with amazing filmmakers — Curtis Hanson, Christopher Nolan, Ridley Scott, and now Brady Corbett,” Pierce says. “For me, it’s about being part of the director’s vision. That’s what interests me most: joining in with what they’re trying to achieve.
When asked if there was a dream role or director he had yet to tackle, Pearce demurred. “I don’t imagine specific roles. For me, it’s about the surprise – that moment when the script arrives on your desk, and you say to yourself: ‘I never imagined I would play this character, but now I can’t stop thinking about it.’” That’s the magic of it. “We do it.”
For Guy Pearce, every role represents an opportunity to reveal new dimensions of storytelling. “Brutal” is another stunning example.
Also in this episode, “The Piano Lesson” star Ray Fisher explains his role in August Wilson’s latest film adaptation. Additionally, this first week’s roundtable previews major awards including Gotham Awards, New York Film Critics Circle Awards, Independent Spirit Awards nominations, and live reaction to the 2024 National Board of Review selections.