Movies

For Naomi Watts, back with a new movie and a book, resilience is her friend

BBG News

The last time Naomi Watts saw David Lynch was in late November.

She reminisces about a delightful lunch at the director’s house, which she shared with Laura Dern on an afternoon together. Despite being unwell, he was full of energy and eagerness to return to work. He expressed his desire to keep working, even suggesting that they could work from his trailer if needed. However, he was far from giving up. His creative spirit was evidently vibrant in him.

As I reminisce, a heartfelt, wistful smile graces my face, lingering on the last vivid memory of the filmmaker who profoundly altered my life by selecting me for “Mulholland Drive” – not merely a creative genius but someone truly dear to me. And with a heavy sigh, I confess, it strikes me with such a profound, gut-wrenching sorrow.

Grief has often knocked on Watts’ door throughout her life. When she was just 7, she lost her father – an event she calls “the big sorrow” that has stayed with her ever since. Last year, the passing of two grandmothers, aged 99 and 101, and a family pet left deep wounds. This sorrow is reflected in many of Watts’ film characters, who are also seen grappling with their own grief.

On a delightful Saturday afternoon at the Huntley Hotel in Santa Monica, she’s pondering loss, a thought not only provoked by Lynch’s recent demise but also because parting ways forms the poignant core of her latest film.

Starting on March 28th, “The Friend” features Watts as Iris, a New York author facing hardships without children or a partner. Unlike typical movies where the protagonist fills a void in her life with a child or romantic partner, this film is not about that. Instead, it’s a poignant blend of comedy and drama based on Sigrid Nunez’s 2018 novel. The story revolves around Iris, an independent woman, who, following the suicide of her mentor and closest friend, Walter (portrayed by Bill Murray), finds that his final request was for her to care for Apollo, his cherished 150-pound Great Dane.

Iris feels repelled by the demand for her to take care of something. She prefers cats over dogs and her small, comfortable apartment filled with books is in a building that doesn’t allow pets. However, as she begins to develop a connection with the large, unpredictable pet, Iris discovers that Apollo shares many of the complex characteristics she had linked to Walter: demanding, difficult, deeply emotional. Her friend mysteriously vanished without a trace, but perhaps Apollo can offer the resolution that Walter’s passing never could.

Watts remarks, ‘I’ve portrayed grieving mothers, wives, and more, but this role was unique because there was a core of loveliness. Iris doesn’t conquer her sorrow, instead, she manages it through her bond with this extraordinary dog. There’s something special about dogs that captivates us – their unwavering loyalty. That’s what made this part stand out for me, as there was a sense of hope. The stories I’ve previously acted in concerning grief seemed much darker.’

56-year-old Watts wears a black suit jacket paired with an ivory blouse and blue jeans. She exudes openness, warmth, and a soft sense of humor. Self-effacingly, she confesses to experiencing impostor syndrome, her life being a continuous battle against self-doubt and anxiety. Reflecting on her career hardships in her late twenties, before she gained recognition in Hollywood under Lynch, she humbly admits, “To be honest, I’m not sure how I persevered.” All she can say is that she embodies resilience – a trait deeply rooted within her.

When Scott McGehee and David Siegel, the joint writers and directors, embarked on their quest for their character Iris, they sought an actress who could express vulnerability and a rich inner world. As McGehee puts it in a separate interview, she’s the type of performer who can make you feel like there’s a complex individual hiding beneath her features, making her fascinating to watch.

Indeed, it was essential to have someone who was fond of dogs, a trait that undeniably characterized Watts. This point gave them a fleeting pause.

McGehee mentions that as our conversations with Watts began, she had recently lost her beloved 20-year-old Yorkshire terrier named Bob in 2021. We anticipated that this loss might have an emotional impact on her, but surprisingly, it did not seem to affect her as we expected.

Watts concedes that there’s no similarity between herself and Iris, but she empathizes with Iris’ feelings of loneliness and disconnection from those around her. Despite this, Watts has a different personal life; she is married to actor Billy Crudup and is the mother of two teenagers from her past marriage to actor Liev Schreiber.

Her current fame might not have seemed inevitable at first glance, but it certainly feels destined now. Born in Shoreham, Kent, England, her parents divorced when she was just four years old. Her father, a sound engineer and tour manager for Pink Floyd, passed away in 1976 due to an overdose of heroin. At the age of 14, she and her younger brother, Ben, were taken by their mother to Australia. There, she tasted some local success, securing a role in the 1991 Australian comedy-drama “Flirting.” However, she harbored ambitions that extended beyond this, yearning for something greater.

After that, there followed a period of unsuccessful attempts for Watts to break into American independent cinema. Audition after audition ended in disappointment. It’s not a secret that her agents were often informed she lacked the required sex appeal and humor.

Watts had trouble breaking into American indies, with one audition after another ending in rejection. It wasn’t hidden that her agents were consistently told she was lacking in sexiness or humor.

She admits, “I was confident in making my friends chuckle, and I knew I had the ability to be appealing. Yet, I found myself listening to others’ opinions more than my own.” Struggling with anxiety, Watts contemplated retreating to Australia. However, her mother intervened.

At the moment I was residing in an apartment by the canals of Venice, my mother was with me. One day, after a disastrous audition that left me emotionally drained and two months behind on rent, I returned home, distraught and torn apart. I confided in my mom about the criticism I’d received, and she responded, “You need to toughen up. Stand firm. That’s not who you truly are. It doesn’t matter if you’re not a star in those audition rooms—you’re trying to be someone else, hiding your real self. Just go in there being yourself.

After being reminded of her mother’s stern advice, Watts pauses to gather her thoughts. She describes it as one of the most inspiring pep talks she’s ever received, stating that it was exactly what she needed. Just contemplating it gives her a lump in her throat.

Shortly afterward, while working on “Mulholland Drive,” Lynch stumbled upon Naomi Watts’ headshot and felt she was ideal for the character Betty, a wide-eyed newcomer pursuing her acting dreams in Los Angeles. Remarkably, this iconic photo was taken by Watts’ brother, Ben, who happened to be a photographer and did not charge for the session. “I believe we took it in my apartment,” she reminisces. “He hung up a white sheet as a backdrop. I did my own makeup. Ben is an exceptional photographer. He understands how to capture me more effectively than many high-end photographers.

When Watts crossed paths with Lynch, there was an immediate connection, the authentic enthusiasm of the director easing the apprehension she typically felt during auditions. Before long, she landed the part, and her career skyrocketed. A year following “Mulholland Drive,” she graced the screen in the successful American adaptation of “The Ring.” The year 2003 brought “21 Grams” and a nomination for an Academy Award for Best Actress, earned for her portrayal of Cristina – a recovering addict who relapses after the tragic loss of her husband and child in a car accident. The roles that followed showcased both her commercial success and her knack for powerfully depicting characters haunted by trauma.

To this very moment, people still perceive me as being on the brink of a nervous breakdown.

Or:

Up until now, people continue to view me as someone teetering on the edge of a nervous collapse.

But just as Watts’ star was ascending, she received alarming news.

As a movie enthusiast, I recall vividly the moment when, at age 36, I was informed I was nearing menopause – a day that coincided with my birthday, celebrating another year of life amidst the roars of ‘King Kong’. I had spent years playing ingénues, and to hear that my leading lady days were numbered left me reeling. It wasn’t just the prospect of losing my ability to have children that hit hard; it was the realization that the promising career I had worked tirelessly to build was on the brink of fading before it truly took flight.

The diagnosis, which arrived prematurely compared to many women and before she had children, left her staggered. (However, she did go on to have her two children after utilizing various fertility methods, and she’s open about this journey.) Yet, it also puzzled her as to why, despite being from a lineage of strong-willed females, she was so oblivious regarding menopause’s implications. For quite some time, Watts hesitated to discuss her symptoms openly due to concerns about how she might be judged in an industry that values youth over all else.

She admits she felt fearful, and it led her to conceal herself extensively. This excessive hiding became draining, tiring, and burdensome for her.

Eventually, she reached her limit, culminating in the publication of her book titled “Dare I Say It: Everything I Wish I’d Known About Menopause,” released in January. Combining elements of personal experience and practical advice, the book chronicles her journey while also incorporating insights from medical professionals. Humorous and candid, much like Watts herself, it reflects her open nature as she admits, “I’ve always been quite forthcoming.

She admits that it wasn’t until the past five years that she truly began to grasp what was happening with her body, but Watts found a sense of renewal in this process as well. “It felt incredibly liberating,” she explains, “and it even helped me gain confidence, although I still struggle with anxiety and finding things challenging, like memorizing lines or recalling names. But over time, you learn to cope.

She ponders over the question of identity during menopause: Am I the same person again? Who am I now? Watts provides an answer: “You will regain yourself, but it’s a different version of you. I view it as a new phase that can be incredibly empowering.

Watts takes great pride in her latest projects, such as her intricate, thoughtful portrayal of Babe Paley in the 2024 FX series “Feud: Capote vs. the Swans,” which garnered an Emmy nomination for her. She’s well aware of the highs and lows that her career has experienced, and lately, she’s noticed more downs than ups.

She acknowledges there was a pause in her activities, as she desired to work nearby to take care of her young kids. That period has ended, though. “I encountered instances during the promotion for ‘Feud’ where people asked, ‘Where have you been? It’s great to see you back.’ And I replied, ‘I didn’t disappear.’

According to Watts, such comments don’t bother her. Instead, she shared that the period following the David Lynch launch was remarkably fortunate and powerful, with one success leading to another for about five to six years. Since then, she has experienced both triumphs and setbacks. However, she views each experience as a step towards something new.

After working together on “Mulholland Drive,” David Lynch and Naomi Watts collaborated further, starting with a voice cameo in the 2006 film “Inland Empire” and culminating in their final joint project, the critically acclaimed “Twin Peaks: The Return.” Beyond their professional relationship, they developed a close friendship. Watts expressed that he was expecting to see Lynch again soon after their last meeting, as they were both based in Los Angeles. However, Watts paused, choosing to keep personal details private due to respect for Lynch’s family. But he emphasized that this encounter left him feeling incredibly moved by the love and hope it instilled within him.

In both her real-world experiences and the novel “The Friend,” Watts discovers herself gathering the remnants following the absence of a mentor, contemplating his influence. Despite being cautious, there’s one recollection she is comfortable disclosing.

As a passionate film enthusiast, I stumbled upon an unexpected masterpiece. In a group snap we took, my camera somehow stayed open after, and in the midst of our bustle, I accidentally bumped it. What emerged was a captivating shot – a symphony of his remarkable architecture, two towering palm trees, and the distinct ambiance of Los Angeles that echoed David Lynch’s enigmatic style. Amongst the intended group photo, this serendipitous image stood out as a powerful statement on its own. I couldn’t resist sharing both pictures – the one we planned, and the one that spoke volumes unintentionally.

She went on pondering over the chance photograph, admiring its serene beauty. “That blue sky,” she thought, “was his favorite. It symbolized peace, aspiration, enchantment – simply ethereal. I messaged him about it and he replied with an awe-inspiring David-esque message.

Watts chuckles and remains silent, not because she’s shy but because she’s at peace. Throughout her journey, she’s endured significant losses. However, as the movie “The Friend” hints, perhaps there are other things gained in life. The film and Watts’ enchanting performance depict how sorrow can be intertwined with a sense of elegance – an acceptance of the unknown that lies beyond. There remains a certain enigma about Watts despite her transparency. She decides to keep Lynch’s words private, for her alone. It’s a secret she holds dear.

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2025-03-20 13:33

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