| By Fred Topel
In Theaters October 7
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If I had a sister like Maggie in In Her Shoes, I’d have kicked her to the curb years ago. She burdens poor Rose with taking care of her lazy, irresponsible lifestyle and drags Rose down with her. But Toni Collette, who plays Rose, could understand sticking by Maggie through thick and thin.
“I personally think family is the most important thing,” Collette said. “I guess the relationships you have with your parents and your siblings are what shape you really. They know you better than anybody else. They’ve seen you from the very beginning of your life. You’ll probably love them the most and hate them the most because of that. I think that’s what this film portrays.”
When Rose finally kicks Maggie out for good, she discovers a whole new life for herself. Though already a successful lawyer, Rose comes into her own with a new sense of freedom and a new direction in life.
“I don't think it’s about them coming into their own,” Collette corrected. “I think it’s about them discovering that they do have a sense of self, and learning to nurture that and stand as individuals. I don’t want to get to the point where I’m complacently like ‘this is it, I’m in my own.’ I think it’s a constant journey of learning and exploring. I change my mind a million times a day, and work hard and try to remain conscious of remaining open and learning.”
Speaking of change, Collette went back into Muriel’s Wedding mode to put on the pounds to play the frumpier sister. “I just put on as much as I could in the amount of time that I had and luckily I found out I had the part right before Christmas, so everyone’s indulging. I wasn’t the only pig. But I ended up putting on 27-28 pounds and it’s very basic. You eat crap and don’t exercise. That’s it. Then I had 11 days off to lose the majority of it, where I ate less and exercised. It shrank. I had 21 days in the shoot and it just kept shrinking. Actually, I think I ended up with eight days or something.”
Often a chameleon in her roles, Collette recognized the importance of physicality to this character in particular. “I think the way Rose feels about herself is reflected physically, so it was just important for her reality. I think there are so many similarities between Rose and Maggie, but I think it was important for them to have completely different images. The way they present themselves to the world are polar opposites and yet they’re incredibly alike.”
One thing they do have in common is an appreciation for shoes, although Rose prefers to keep hers on shelves while Maggie wears them out. “Everyone keeps asking about shoes. I really have to say it’s not about shoes. It’s just a metaphor. For Rose, it’s her just having something that’s comforting. That’s her crutch. It’s her pleasure in a life full of no time for herself. She opens her closet and they just make her feel good, whether she wears them or not. The great thing is she kind of blossoms into wearing them instead of just admiring them. She becomes the beauty she admires.”
In real life, Collette says, “I live in trainers and ugh boots.”
As In Her Shoes collects rave reviews, Collette wishes it were not such a surprise to people. “I think it’s frightening and a little bit sad to be so surprised that a good film has been made. I guess we’re so used to the schlock that just comes pouring out like a sausage factory. People really want to see good films. I think people are responding to it.”
Also not surprising to Collette is that both men and women are among the films’ fans. “I don’t think you need to be a woman to really relate to this story. For example, Curtis Hanson is such an amazing director and he used to surprise me day in and day out with different ways of looking at what these women were going through. I think it’s more about family than just about women. And even as far as image goes, I know that women are bombarded with what they’re meant to aspire to look like or live like but it’s not actually just women. It’s people in general. We’re all given these ideas and images which are most of the time very unrealistic. I think it’s quite destructive and I think that this film represents a reality that a lot of people will relate to including me.”
While Maggie gets by on her looks, Rose needs to learn to appreciate the attention of sincere men. As an actress, Collette has avoided falling into the beauty trap.
“I think I’m lucky. My work has never been based on how I look, so I think that will give me some kind of longevity. I know that I’m lucky to live in Australia and I’m able to not live in the epicenter of the filmmaking world. I really didn’t want to. I’m from Sydney. I tried living all around the world and I’ve had fun, but that’s where I belong. That’s where I feel like myself. [And] I just avoid reading reviews. You’re constantly being judged really, which is why so many women buckle under and develop odd behavior in terms of how they think they should be. There’s no should in life, no matter what profession you’re in. The only pressure I feel is the pressure I put on myself.”
In Her Shoes opens Friday. |
