THE CIVIL UNION
IT’S AN ESSENTIAL part of any actor’s skillset: to generate chemistry with co-stars they have never met or perhaps even despise (Sonic The Hedgehog reputedly did not see eye to eye with James Marsden). But there are some levels of ease, comfort and understanding that can’t be manufactured, however well-trained the thesp. It’s this quality of intimacy, trust and kinship that Colin Firth and Stanley Tucci have in spades. Having met on set of 2000s HBO drama Conspiracy , the pair’s friendship has flourished even among the demands and vicissitudes of two hugely successful careers. It’s a relationship that Supernova plays on for hugely emotional effect.
A beautifully poised and played love story, writer-director Harry Macqueen’s film pitches musician Sam (Firth) and his partner of 20 years, author Tusker (Tucci), on a road trip around the UK’s Lake District as the couple come to terms with Tusker’s early onset dementia. Quiet, funny and heartbreaking, it’s a fantastic showcase for two performers at the top of their game.
Empire invited the long-time friends to get together in conversation (“You can try it at your peril,” deadpans Firth) about Supernova , friendship, movie-making and matters arising (spoiler: it’s mostly about food). Speaking on Zoom — Firth from London, Tucci from Spain — their subsequent chat is testament to that film business rarity — a long-lasting genuine friendship. It was Tucci who brought Supernova to Firth but, as he explains, with a significant difference from the finished film…
I was supposed to play Sam. But I
