The one role Jude Law would love to play again: “It was such a beautiful experience”
Jude Law is one of those actors who can adapt his skillset to all corners of cinema, with leading roles in global blockbusters such as Fantastic Beasts and Sherlock Holmes and layered performances in independent dramas like Closer and Shopping. With global audiences returning to his character in The Holiday on a yearly basis and his reprisal of one of the most iconic wizards of all time, the actor has his fair share of memorable roles when reflecting on his career. However, there is one role that changed his career entirely and one that Law would most like to return to.
After the release of Saltburn, the controversial so-called ‘satire’ about the wealthy elite in Britain, many fans claimed that it was a unique concept that hadn’t been seen before. This is not something anyone should so confidently express on the internet, and a hoard of film lovers piped up to discuss the influence of The Talented Mr Ripley, with many sizeable similarities between both productions. Despite following a nearly identical plot, the director Emerald Fennel mused that it wasn’t an inspiration at all. But perhaps this is for the best, as the comparison was surely not a welcome one to those who made the film.
However, because of this comparison, the film has seen a resurgence in popularity. Directed by Anthony Minghella in 1999 and starring Jude Law, Matt Damon and Gwyneth Paltrow, the film follows a manipulative young man who worms his way into the wealthy lifestyle of Dickie Greenleaf.
The film skyrocketed the career of the cast, specifically for Law, who had previously only had smaller on-screen roles. It was met with critical and commercial success, earning five Academy Award nominations, with Law being nominated for ‘Best Supporting Actor’.
When reflecting on his career, Law noted that this would be the role he’d love to return to, saying, “I think it would definitely be Dickie Greenleaf. It was 25 years ago, and it was such a beautiful experience. That film and playing him was indulgent, and yet I was very young. I hadn’t really made many films and didn’t realise quite how wonderful an opportunity it was. I was just sort of there doing it, enjoying it, and giving it my best. But I would love to go back and maybe spend a day on that yacht.”
When shooting in tropical conditions and miming characters who are lounging around on holiday, it isn’t surprising why Law would want to reclaim this role. But besides the joy of warm weather and an exotic shoot, the film holds a special place in Law’s career for launching him to new heights and sparking the beginning of his time as a leading man on screen.
In addition to this, Law acted alongside some of the greatest actors of all time, with Philip Seymour Hoffman and Cate Blanchett also acting in the film. Since then, the actor has gone on to work with Mike Nichols, Kenneth Branagh, and Wes Anderson, forging a long-lasting screen legacy.
