Stanley Tucci talks to us about his new film ‘Conclave’ and, of course, Italian food

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As I read through this captivating narrative, I find myself deeply moved by the multifaceted journey of Stanley Tucci – a man who embodies the essence of versatility and grace. His career spans various realms, from acting to directing, and his life experiences have only enriched his artistic prowess.

NEW YORK — If you incorrectly pronounce an Italian word in the presence of Stanley Tucci, you’ll receive a delightful linguistic tutorial.

During our chat at the plush Whitby Hotel, we delved into his newest production, “Conclave,” a dramatic work by Edward Berger centered around the selection of a new pope. In this film, I portray Bellini, a cardinal grappling with my personal aspirations. This captivating piece had its debut at the Telluride Film Festival and was shot at the iconic Cinecitta studio in Rome – yes, that’s the one I accidentally stumbled over while trying to pronounce it correctly. Luckily, Tucci was quick to assist with the correction!

He explains to me that if you add an ‘h’ after a ‘c’, it changes from a ‘che’ sound to a ‘ca’ sound. So, in this system, ‘c, e’ is equivalent to ‘ca’ in English but the opposite way around.

Over the past few years, Tucci has taken on an informal role as a cultural emissary, particularly for Italian cuisine. He’s authored several cookbooks, hosted a travel series on TV, and shares tantalizing glimpses of his culinary creations on Instagram, many of which are captured by his wife, Felicity Blunt (Emily Blunt’s sister, his co-star in “The Devil Wears Prada”).

In the movie “Conclave,” based on Robert Harris’ novel, Ralph Fiennes plays Cardinal Lawrence who sheds light on a hidden part of the country he adores. The story follows the turmoil and machinations that transpire after the demise of a pope, as these clerics confined in Vatican City elect their next religious leader while engaging in some underhanded schemes. Stanley Tucci portrays Bellini, a friend of Lawrence who is being promoted as the most forward-thinking candidate for the position. However, initially, he hesitates to accept this role and its accompanying responsibilities.

According to Tucci, the central connection in this movie for all these characters revolves around their personal relationships with themselves. Ultimately, he believes this is what it’s all about. They may believe it’s God, or something else, but in reality, it’s just them.

From a passionate cinephile’s perspective, I find myself utterly shattered by the revelation of what this character truly yearns for. Tucci, on the other hand, exudes an uncanny confidence, having reinvented himself in recent times with a new focus on the art of living gracefully. It seems as though he’s simply expanding upon some of his most beloved roles – the stylish editor guiding Anne Hathaway in “Prada,” the devoted Paul Child in “Julie & Julia,” and even the silent chef from his co-directorial venture, “Big Night.

Stanley Tucci recently touched down in New York City from his residence in London, approximately an hour before our conversation. Despite the recent travel, you wouldn’t guess it by looking at him. He donned a dark velvet jacket with subtle plaid accents, concealing any signs of fatigue from international travel. However, he was quite famished and swiftly requested sparkling water, a Macallan 12-year-old Scotch on the rocks, and some chips with guacamole. He recalled that the guacamole here was tasty, and upon its arrival, he confirmed it indeed retained its flavor. Since he cannot consume spicy food due to his oral cancer treatment, this guacamole wasn’t overly spicy.

He wonders if combining guacamole and Scotch is unusual. Perhaps it is, but he’s the one to decide, seeing as he’s here for a book event, showcasing his new publication titled ‘What I Ate in One Year.’ This book is a blend of food diary and personal memoir, in which he reflects on various meals – both delicious and not so much – as a means to discuss topics such as Hollywood, family, and mortality.

The storyline of the book commences by detailing the issue of poor Italian cuisine at Cinecittà, as portrayed by Tucci. He elucidates this problem to me while savoring a chip: In Italy, food is always served fresh. However, this isn’t feasible during filming. “On movie sets,” he remarks, “you have to prepare meals for numerous individuals, and they mostly remain untouched.” Tucci frequently prepares his own meals when working, such as light soups like homemade minestrone. Lately, he has also started purchasing ready-made gazpacho and enjoying it during breaks. (He is partial to the Brindisa brand, if you’re interested.)

Regardless of his dissatisfaction with the food at Cinecittà, starring in “Conclave” was an obvious choice for the actor. He admired Harris’ writing and had even read the book during the filming of the Spanish limited series “La Fortuna,” titled “Shipwreck.” Two years later, Berger, fresh off his Academy Award-winning adaptation of “All Quiet on the Western Front,” approached him with the role of Bellini. The key change to the character from what Tucci had originally read was transforming him from Italian into an American.

He states that what truly mattered to him wasn’t the trivial aspects, but rather the intricacy of the story, their connections with God, the church, each other, and themselves within this societal layer.” (He had expressed a desire to speak Italian onscreen, but it didn’t fit grammatically or contextually.)

Born in Westchester County, outside of New York City, Stanley Tucci was nurtured in the Catholic faith. Every Sunday, he attended religious services and even participated in significant milestones such as his first communion and confirmation. However, he confessed that he never found a spiritual connection within this religion, stating, “I simply couldn’t grasp it. It seemed so disconnected from my daily life.

In his youth, he found Native American customs captivating, finding them more resonant than religious ceremonies. He admired the idea that everything was interconnected – Earth, sky, stars, planets, humans, trees, animals, and water. A particular memory stood out to him: an image of a person being born from another’s belly. This concept became clearer to him after witnessing the birth of one of his own children. This image serves as the foundation for his understanding of why individuals engage in acting.

He states, “Every person outside of you exists within you as well, for I firmly believe this is the reason why some individuals excel at acting. I think we all have multiple personalities; actors simply decide to tap into them.

As a devoted cinema enthusiast, I identify as a secular humanist, much like my late wife, Kate, who tragically passed away from breast cancer in 2009. In terms of the Catholic Church, I firmly believe that a more open and inclusive approach is beneficial, an attitude mirrored by my character and, to some extent, the narrative of “Conclave.

He expresses, “I find myself echoing Bellini. It’s puzzling to me why women aren’t included in the priesthood. To my mind, the more inclusive a religion is, the more robust and powerful it becomes.

Currently, Tucci only accepts roles when he genuinely believes he can excel; this is evident in his somewhat critical reflections on past performances, such as his portrayal of Puck in “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” from 1999. He has expressed a desire for a redo of that role. In the recent film, his character Bellini stands out due to the natural ease with which he plays him. Bellini is depicted as a progressive choice for pope, contrasting with the traditional and booming Italian Cardinal Tedesco, played by Sergio Castellitto.

Even though he was not personally a Catholic, the religious practices of Catholicism influenced his acting performance. During filming, a religious advisor was present on set to guide them in the correct posture for prayer and crossing themselves. Furthermore, the ornate costumes designed by Lisy Christl subtly affected his movements. Tucci mentioned that Christl’s designs were more aesthetically pleasing than the actual garments, which he described as “slightly fragile.

He remarks, “You carry a certain burden that alters how you stride and maneuver. This transformation is so profound that when you gaze at your reflection, you hardly recognize yourself, making it simpler to feign being someone else.

The gathering, or “Conclave,” provided an occasion for Tucci to work alongside some familiar faces from his past projects. He previously teamed up with Fiennes in the 2002 romantic comedy “Maid in Manhattan.” They were considering a collaboration on a George Bernard Shaw film where Tucci would direct and Fiennes would take the lead role. Their scenes together were both intense and enjoyable.

Simultaneously, Isabella Rossellini, portraying a vigilant nun in “Conclave,” has starred in two films helmed by Tucci, including his cherished “Big Night.” In his latest work, he recounts a dinner he shared with Rossellini at L’Eau Vive, a restaurant overseen by French Carmelite nuns and often frequented by Rossellini’s mother, Ingrid Bergman. The pair were invited to join the nuns in singing hymns during their meal.

When working, Tucci often returned to London whenever he could. As he puts it, “I prefer not to be alone. I’d rather go home and spend time with my loved ones.

After our chat, I’ll be jetting off to London within approximately 48 hours, eagerly anticipating a well-deserved respite that won’t arrive until after Christmas, following the wrap of the latest season for “Citadel” on Prime Video. Additionally, I’ve wrapped up filming an additional ten episodes for my Italian travel series. When it graced CNN screens, it was known as “Stanley Tucci: Searching for Italy.” Now, under National Geographic production, it has been rebranded as “Tucci in Italy.

He eagerly anticipates the upcoming “Devil Wears Prada” sequel, but hopes it’s released only after he’s had a chance to relax first.

“I need to take some time and put my house in order,” he says. “I have to put my mind in order.”

I’ve always admired Tucci for his knack against excessive contemplation, particularly in the realm of art. I found this trait resonating in Berger as well – a director not just smart but genuinely intelligent, yet he avoids being overly intellectual.

He suggests, “If you overthink an idea excessively, you might stifle its potential. However, when it comes to creativity, there’s always a need for thought, but the doing part should be done prior.

As I exit the restaurant, savoring the last few moments with Stanley Tucci, a Scotch glass in my hand, I can’t help but be captivated by his effortless elegance. Despite gently correcting my Italian, he never makes me feel less than for my mistakes.

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2024-10-23 13:34