William, Meet Edmond (on DVD)
September 13, 2006

When we spoke with William H. Macy last month about his starring role the upcoming DVD release of Edmond (First Independent/Vivendi Visual, Street: Oct. 3, $26.99), a film adaptation of an early play by David Mamet, we didn’t ask him about his comments about Lindsay Lohan’s “inexcusable” tardiness to the set of his latest film, but we nonetheless came away with the impression that the man is quite proud of his profession and wouldn’t want anyone giving it a bad name. Nor does he want non-actors encroaching on his turf, just as he wouldn’t do to others in different professions. Witness this exchange regarding Edmond’s marketing campaign, which plays up the more exploitive aspects of film and more-or-less avoids the fact that it’s a powerful, confrontational drama.

VB: The cover art copy for Edmond really goes for the erotic thriller sell. Have you seen it?
Macy: Not yet, no.
VB: It reads like “Mamet delivers a wickedly sexy thriller with a shocking ending.” And that’s followed by “Edmond (Macy) becomes trapped in a twisted game of sex, likes and murder when he becomes involved with three young women.
Macy: It really says that?
VB: It sure does.Welcome to DVD promotion!
Macy: Oh my…
VB: The distributor is trying to hit the biggest audience as possible, of course. But as an actor taking on an adaptation of a respected theatrical piece, how do you feel about that?
Macy: I feel like I’ve bitten off enough just trying to be the actor in this thing. I do try to keep my nose out of others people’s business. I wouldn’t have done it that way, certainly.I try to let everybody do his or her job and I’m fiercely protective of my job. I don’t let the advertising people come in and tell me how to do a scene.
VB: There is a nice picture of you on the cover, too.
Macy: Well, if I’m on the cover, than I think it’s good.

Posted by on September 13, 2006 | Comments (0)