The concept of "Mother Mary" exacted a profound toll on Anne Hathaway. Indeed, her role in the A24 film—where she embodies a pop star, a marked divergence from her days as the star of "The Princess Diaries"—proved to be a transformative challenge. For director David Lowery, this intensity was epitomized in a pivotal scene that tested both Anne and her costar Michaela Coel to their limits.
"It felt akin to filming 'Apocalypse Now,'" David revealed to Vogue in an interview published on July 9th. "At one juncture, Anne broke down, saying, ‘I must apologize, for I fear what emerges from me may cause you pain.’ And Michaela, grasping her hands, reassured her, ‘I love you; I trust you.’" Michaela further elaborated, "David’s writing is so vivid—we were compelled into an intensity that was almost palpable."
For Anne, despite her extensive on-screen experience, embodying Mother Mary—a role accompanied by music crafted by luminaries such as Jack Antonoff and Charli XCX—felt akin to embarking on a fresh journey from square one. "Upon reading the script, what immediately struck me was that one cannot 'perform' as Mother Mary," she confessed. "Had I secured the role, I would need to become the raw material that David could mold and shape."
"I had to embrace the humility of being a beginner," she explained. "Turning up daily, aware that I might falter, and accepting that it was okay. I wasn't 'bad'; I was merely a novice. Adopting this mindset necessitated letting go of certain cherished notions. It was both welcoming and arduous, much like any transformative experience."
Anne found solace in blowing off steam alongside Michaela at German techno clubs, an activity she initially resisted but eventually embraced thanks to Michaela’s relentless persuasion. For Michaela, who stars in "I May Destroy You," one particular scene—where Anne dances in a barn—was deeply moving to witness.
"The bravery she displayed was extraordinary," Michaela remarked. "Witness her dance in the barn—it’s daunting. The physical prowess she had to master for this role—and it wasn’t just us in the barn; it was the entire crew, the producers. That day was petrifying, a tiny monster perched on her shoulder, yet no one realized it until after the first take. And then, to continue, take after take—it required immense strength, gallons and tons of it."
While the release date for "Mother Mary" remains unconfirmed, the horizon is dotted with many promising cinematic delights.
