The filmmakers Steve Buscemi considers his favourite to work with
Perhaps it’s the physical specificity of Steve Buscemi that has led him to acquiring such unique roles in the world of cinema and television. However, despite the striking look of the New York City-born actor, he certainly wouldn’t have achieved his undoubted success were it not for his actual prowess and talent as a performer.
A handful of early roles in Parting Glances and Mystery Train well Buscemi well on his way, but it was his effort in Quentin Tarantino’s Reservoir Dogs that announced him as a serious talent. Before long, Buscemi was highly sought after and began delivering some of the most memorable character turns in contemporary cinema.
In movies such as Desperado, Armageddon, Big Fish, Fargo, The Big Lebowski and The Death of Stalin, Buscemi proved his credentials, while efforts in Boardwalk Empire and The Sopranos saw the small screen profit from his brilliance. Consequently, Buscemi has worked with some seriously significant directors, including Jim Jarmusch, the Coen brothers, and Quentin Tarantino.
Speaking with Film Comment, Buscemi admitted that those three directors are among some of his favourites. Buscemi had worked with Jarmusch on 1989’s Mystery Train, Tarantino on Reservoir Dogs, and the Coens on Miller’s Crossing, Fargo and The Big Lebowski, which comprise some of his most memorable efforts.
In addition, his work with Alexandre Rockwell on the comedy In the Soup was a moment of striking importance for the actor. He explained: “Working with Alexandre Rockwell on In the Soup, I really learned a lot about responsibility, about how much responsibility he gives to actors. He really allowed me to create that guy with him.”
According to Buscemi, Tom DiCillo was another director who gave his actors plenty of freedom and responsibility. Buscemi had starred for the director in the 1995 satirical black comedy Living in Oblivion alongside Catherine Keener, Dermot Mulroney and Peter Dinklage in his movie debut.
Finally, Buscemi had to give special praise to Robert Altman, who hired the actor to feature in his 1996 crime film Kansas City with Jennifer Jason Leigh, Miranda Richardson and Harry Belafonte. The film tells of the jazz scene of the 1930s in the titular city and it was a moment in which Buscemi was able to work with one of his favourite directors.
“I was lucky to work with him in Kansas City right before I directed Trees Lounge, and I just loved the atmosphere he created on set,” Buscemi explained. “He made everyone feel like we were all in this together. He told me he didn’t care if the film made a nickel, but he wanted it to be successful on his terms. And then he corrected himself and said, ‘On our terms.’ I’ve never forgotten that.”
Looking back over Buscemi’s career, we find many signifiers of his excellence and an actor’s career can often be judged by the kind of directing company they keep. When it comes to Buscemi, we see that he’s worked with some of the most prominent names in the film industry, proving his endless talent.
As far as pointing out the most important figures in his career, though, it all comes down to the brilliance of Jarmusch, the Coen brothers, Tarantino, Rockwell, DiCillo and Robert Altman, who comprise one hell of a selection of auteur filmmakers, one that Buscemi has done well to learn from.
