2008 Woodie Awards
Sleepwalking: An interview with Charlize Theron and Nick Stahl
Liza Atamy
Issue date: 3/13/08 Section: Student Culture
"It affects both of their lives as adults and their actions are kind of born out of that," Stahl said. "I think visiting his father was James' transformation - breaking that cycle in a way."
Stahl said his character is viewed as a savior to his niece, Tara, but ultimately ends up being the one who (unintentionally) puts her in harm's way by taking her to see his father.
"I think (Tara) changed him, and I think he went back to see his dad because she provided him with certain inspiration," he said. "She has given him an almost certain courage to face his fears and to face his past, and I think in a sense he is seeking redemption."
Theron's character, Joleen, had her own demons to face as well. Throwing herself into one unpromising and failing relationship after another, she, too, must come to terms with all of her fears and take responsibility for her daughter.
It was, at times, very hard to believe the careless choices Joleen made for herself and her daughter. One would inevitably think: "Would Theron make the same choices had she been in the same situation?"
"I don't think she was irresponsible, and I'm not trying to give an excuse for the decisions she's made," Theron said. "As an actor, one very important thing to be aware of is the circumstances characters are coming from.
"When you start making choices for your character based on decisions you would make, it becomes unrealistic. I don't have Joleen's background and the issues she's been dealing with. I don't live in those shoes, so I try to walk away and not judge whether what she does is right or wrong," she said.
Theron said that in order to stick to the road of truth with the characters she portrays, she avoids reaching for sympathy and instead sets out for empathy.
The film portrays a dark and desolate setting and similar emotions throughout, and it leaves the ending open and somewhat optimistic for viewers to interpret and conclude.
"This is the only reason why I wanted to make the film, because of the human condition it portrays," Theron said. "I really do believe the one thing we always have is hope, even when we don't have a penny in our pocket and when things get worse."
Stahl said his character is viewed as a savior to his niece, Tara, but ultimately ends up being the one who (unintentionally) puts her in harm's way by taking her to see his father.
"I think (Tara) changed him, and I think he went back to see his dad because she provided him with certain inspiration," he said. "She has given him an almost certain courage to face his fears and to face his past, and I think in a sense he is seeking redemption."
Theron's character, Joleen, had her own demons to face as well. Throwing herself into one unpromising and failing relationship after another, she, too, must come to terms with all of her fears and take responsibility for her daughter.
It was, at times, very hard to believe the careless choices Joleen made for herself and her daughter. One would inevitably think: "Would Theron make the same choices had she been in the same situation?"
"I don't think she was irresponsible, and I'm not trying to give an excuse for the decisions she's made," Theron said. "As an actor, one very important thing to be aware of is the circumstances characters are coming from.
"When you start making choices for your character based on decisions you would make, it becomes unrealistic. I don't have Joleen's background and the issues she's been dealing with. I don't live in those shoes, so I try to walk away and not judge whether what she does is right or wrong," she said.
Theron said that in order to stick to the road of truth with the characters she portrays, she avoids reaching for sympathy and instead sets out for empathy.
The film portrays a dark and desolate setting and similar emotions throughout, and it leaves the ending open and somewhat optimistic for viewers to interpret and conclude.
"This is the only reason why I wanted to make the film, because of the human condition it portrays," Theron said. "I really do believe the one thing we always have is hope, even when we don't have a penny in our pocket and when things get worse."
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