| By Fred Topel
In Theaters June 9
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These days, any appearance by Paul Newman is a gift. At 81 years old, the screen legend keeps announcing his retirement. So don’t complain that you only get to hear his voice in Pixar’s new animated film Cars. At least he’s still acting.
“I don’t seem to be living up to my timetable,” Newman joked. “I may have one more movie in me. I’m not sure what it’s going to be now. Redford and I are working on something but it’s not by any means a slam dunk. We’re working on the script right now.”
After such an enticing tease, Newman would say no more about the potential Butch and Sundance reunion. Instead, it was all about Cars, in which he plays Doc Hudson, a ‘51 Hornet who teaches young Lightning McQueen (Owen Wilson) not to be such a spoiled brat. But it was the Pixar team more than the story that pulled Newman out of retirement again.
“They have an extraordinary sense of detail, both in the creative and the technical. And they don’t get rushed. Which I think is critical. They have the luxury of control and they have the luxury of time. And that gives us a terrific effect. Let alone the gifts that they have.”
Though Cars sports an impressive ensemble cast that includes Michael Keaton, George Carlin, NASCAR legend Richard Petty, Bonnie Hunt, Cheech Marin and Larry the Cable Guy, the actors usually record their lines alone. Newman, however, got one session with Owen Wilson. “I think I did four or five sessions with the microphone and Owen was in one of those, so we worked together for a half a day. Very spontaneous, he was inventive.”
Wilson’s character, a young hotshot rookie, faces the same journey as many of Wilson’s real life contemporaries. Granted stardom at an early age, the “Lightning McQueen Syndrome” has become a disturbing trend in young Hollywood. Newman has only vague theories on why. “It’s a really complicated question, a whole different way movies are made, different kinds of pressures, different audience, a completely different audience. I don't know, there are just too many components to answer that question fairly.”
Doc, on the other hand, had plenty of advice for Lightning. A racing fan and record holder himself, Newman was full of advice for young drivers. “It really depends on the specific driver. The first thing, you’ve got to have the right kind of equipment. There are a lot of drivers who can carry a car. It doesn’t happen very often very successfully. I think it takes a certain amount of sensible bravery. It’s no good to be brave and just keep crashing. And luck. A lot with track position, equipment and just a lot of elements that go into it. Psychologically, I think the biggest problem is if something happens to the driver or to the car that is unfortunate, that may or may not be his fault. And he gets so pissed that he can’t drive. And I’ve really seen that happen. A guy gets passed and all of a sudden he’s two seconds off the pace. And somehow it’s always the other guy’s fault. But the state of racing and the quality of drivers now, I don't think drivers run into much psychological conflict to keep them from winning. I think they’re all good and sometimes just make bad choices.”
With his intimate knowledge of the sport, Newman had some artistic concerns when his character sprung into action. He races Lightning in one scene and ultimately serves on the pit crew, all parts of Newman’s racing repertoire. “I helped a little bit I think on some of the racing techniques,” he said.
Cars comes out at the height of NASCAR’s popularity, though Newman stuck with it back in the day. “It became popular because it’s a hell of a sport. And I people can identify very deeply with cars. It certainly was in the ascendancy in the ‘80s and ‘90s. But they’ve got a very good product and I think we do it well.”
With 11 Oscar nominations, one win and two special awards, Newman hardly needs further accolades. Since there is currently no category specifically for animated voice work at the Oscars, it won’t be an issue for Cars and Newman has no opinion on the controversial suggestion to add the category. “It’s too late for me to make a difference,” he joked.
Newman still holds the Guinness World Record as the oldest driver to win a professionally sanctioned race. Though he has retired from the sport, this retirement could be similar to his acting retirement. “I still get a kick out of getting in a car. We tested the Corvette yesterday, as a matter of fact, at Limerock. And I will, with the blessing of my patient wife, continue until I embarrass myself.”
Cars opens June 9. |
