Interview

Interview from 2007 is an absorbing drama that presents a riveting exploration of power dynamics and the manipulation of truth, all within the confines of a single room. Directed by Steve Buscemi, this English language adaptation of a Dutch film by Theo van Gogh thrives on the tension developed through its two primary characters: famed journalist Pierre Peders, played by Steve Buscemi himself, and soap opera actress Katya, played by Sienna Miller.

The movie’s narrative pivots on the unlikely pairing of these two characters who appear to be worlds apart. Buscemi’s Pierre is a hard-hitting political journalist known for his intellectual prowess and incisive reportage. His character is used to reporting from war zones and tackling complex political issues, and as such, he is initially dismissive and contemptuous when he is assigned to interview Sienna Miller’s soap star Katya, whom he considers trivial, frivolous, and unworthy of his talents.

Miller shines as Katya, displaying a bravura performance as the seemingly flighty, media-trained TV star whose superficial exterior hides a multitude of layers. Her role is far more complex than it initially appears, a multi-faceted individual with her own reserves of intelligence and emotional depth. A compelling narrative unfolds as these two characters interact and start digging deeper under each other’s public facades, and the initial assumptions each held for the other give way to startling revelations.

Interview succeeds as an intense psychological drama, benefitting from the performances of its two principal actors and the tautly controlled direction of Buscemi, who innovatively uses the closed-space settings to amplify the intensity of the drama. There is an element of suspense virtually looming in every dialogue, every revelation, making the movie more of an intellectual thriller.

Steve Buscemi’s Pierre uses his seasoned interview techniques to delve into Katya's life expecting it to be simple and shallow. However, Katya, whose world is full of fictional scripts and feigned emotions, isn’t so easy to decipher. She maneuvers Pierre's investigative strategies as the night progresses, with the shift in vulnerable and dominant roles gradually bending, creating an intricate dance of power and vulnerability. The tête-à-tête becomes a battle of sorts in which both characters struggle to maintain control, leading to surprising twists.

Michael Buscemi, Steve Buscemi's real-life brother, adds another dimension to the film as the taciturn cab driver who becomes unexpectedly entwined in the dramatic showdown that unfolds between Pierre and Katya. His brief interjections provide some much-needed comic relief in the midst of the intense drama between the main characters.

Interview is not just a movie about an interview going off the rails; it is a fascinating exploration of human nature and the world of celebrity culture, often blurring the line between public personas and personal realities. It artfully questions the truthfulness of what these public figures show to the world, exploring themes of pretense, public perception, and personal identity. The film encourages its viewers to question their own assumptions and prejudices about people, cautioning against the dangers of quick judgment and sterotyping.

Pierre, the cynic who believes in bearing the harsh truth to the public, must grapple with his preconceptions about the seemingly superficial Katya. Similarly, Katya is nudged out of her comfort zone of scripted worlds and shallow conversations to confront truths about her life and struggles. The intensity of their conversation oscillates between passion, provocations, subtle manipulation, and surprising empathy, making the movie an engaging watch till the very end.

Interview also touches on the theme of media representation and the distortion of truth, artfully building this into the foundation of the narrative. It subtly hints towards the media's role in feeding on the private lives of celebrities and the larger consequences. It’s not so much about the plot line but the undercurrents, conversations, and exchanges often told through the finesse of the actor's expressions more than anything else.

Eventful, dramatic, and psychologically intense, Interview consistently holds the viewer's attention. The film features an astute script and top-notch performances, particularly from Miller, whose skillful portrayal of a public figure grappling with personal demons forms the backbone of the dramatic narrative. Absorbing and provocative, Interview is a thrilling watch for those who appreciate intense dialogues, character-driven plots, and psychologically charged confrontations.