Viggo Mortensen: 'A Harmful Method' Trained Me How you can Talk inside a Movie

David Cronenberg is not always the very first director you'd expect to create a movie concerning the war of wills between two trailblazing 19th-century psychoanalysts, although on further reflection the concept begins to create sense. Cronenberg's movies have always featured lots of disturbed people, therefore it makes sense he wouldn't can just learn the job of Sigmund Freud and Carl Jung but he would ultimately become intrigued through the defects and problems from the males themselves. The resulting film, 'A Harmful Method,' out today in limited release from The new sony Pictures Classics, asks what goes on when two males devoted to treating humanity of their mental illnesses encounter destructive forces within themselves. Michael Fassbender plays Jung, the idealistic Austrian heir to Freud's legacy, who gradually becomes familiar with -- and, for the time being, possessed by -- their own negative side. Freud, described by having an air of ironic wit by erstwhile 'Lord from the Rings' swashbuckler Viggo Mortensen, may be the vain, impatient mentor who evolves with time right into a disapproving rival. I spoke to Mortensen a week ago about his ongoing collaboration with Cronenberg (this really is their third collaboration), his frustration using the Oscar "recognition contest," and the initial desire not to play a talkative old Jewish shrink.Here are a few highlights from your conversation. Had you been surprised when Cronenberg known as and stated, "I wish to create a movie about Sigmund Freud"? It did not surprise me. What surprised me is the fact that he thought I had been the best actor for Freud. I needed to seriously consider it. In many ways, it had been the greatest stretch I have had being an actor in movies. Much more of a stretch somewhat in 'Eastern Promises.' Doing the role, with David's help, helped me feel more confidant about playing figures who are much more verbose. Now I recognize, I'm able to get it done. I recognized the task because I reliable David. The final factor he really wants to do is miscast his movies, when it is someone much like me who's uncle. He thought I possibly could get it done and did not forget about the concept, and so i thought there has to be something into it. Had you been told by others that this kind of role wouldn't meet your needs exactly? Or have you just type of think that wasn't your factor? I simply had not done anything that can compare with it. I had not performed a personality who spoke much. And at first glance, searching in the script, I believe I'd preconceived ideas relating to this apparently serious, dry, seniors, whitened-haired Jewish researcher. I figured, "That isn't me." Physically, I am much more of an Aryan type to begin with. But when I understood much more about his ironic tone and the wit, after i began discovering just how much appetite for existence he really had, I began thinking, "Well, maybe there is a means by." Have you got the sense that you simply and Michael Fassbender are your similar tradition? He could somewhat be an heir for your type of acting? Being an actor? I'm not sure, I had not considered that. I am talking about, we've got along well. She has an excellent spontaneity and that he was easy to utilize. He was ready. I believe you will find there's tiny bit different approach, a minimum of within this movie. His work is dependant on finding some type of rhythm or music within the text. I believe the way Kiera works is a touch more much like mine -- you realize, carrying out a considerable amount of research on a myriad of things what you know already are very peripheral. Watch a clip for 'A Harmful Method' On the different side from the spectrum, do you think, "Oh guy, Let me do another 'Lord from the Rings' style action franchise"? No. I am talking about, I do not genuinely have a game title plan. I have never really had one. Many people say, "Hollywood favors this now," and that i always go, "What's Hollywood? I truly have no idea what that's." I do not expect to do large or small movies. [For just about any movie to become effective,] you need to be lucky. The director needs to be great. They have got to be aware what they are doing around the set after which they have got to be aware what they are doing within the editing room, and you require a distributor who's not stupid. I have experienced movies which i thought were quite good, that were not launched correctly, or simply had misfortune. May it be 'Appaloosa,' [Erectile dysfunction] Harris' movie, or 'The Road' -- 'The Road' was among my personal favorite movies of 2009. I have heard that from a lot of people. Many of them saw it afterwards, certainly Americans, because People in america and Canadians did not really get the opportunity whatsoever to determine that movie in theaters. It had not been marketed perfectly, and that we got the shaft. Many people anticipated simply because movie. But unless of course the distributor does just a little leg try to generate some type of buzz and that buzz through -- say, just in case of 'The Road' -- the fall, it may as well not have been launched. I have had which happen several occasions, where later on individuals are saying, "Shit, which was great, I first viewed it on DVD, I first viewed it around the plane -- why did not that will get nominated for the best Movie? Why did not David Cronenberg get nominated for the best Director for 'History of Violence'? Or 'Eastern Promises'?" Let you know what: David Cronenberg hasn't been nominated to have an Oscar, ever. That is absurd whenever you think about, not just some people that will get nominated each year, but some people who win for the best Director. Seriously, a lot of occasions, the thing is a film, the thing is victory, and also you go, "The number of people are likely to choose to rent that factor annually from now?" In some instances, nobody. But we are still watching 'A Good reputation for Violence' and 'The Fly.' I've no explanation why he's never been nominated like a director. I would have nominated him for those three movies I have completed with him. No doubt. That one, I'm not sure exactly what the general feeling is available relating to this movie -- we'll see if this arrives -- however it already appears like other movies I have seen, which i know don't hold a candle to that one, happen to be making individuals lists also it appears like David, once more, is vanishing. You may can explain it me. Well, I actually do believe that they are harder-edged when compared to a Oscar fare. People still classify him like a horror director, maybe. I've no clue why. Yeah, that's most likely part of it too. But allow me to request you about Kiera Knightley -- I had been just gonna say -- I believe that's a performance which will go lower ever among the great performances, certainly of the year. But I'm not sure if she'll have the ability to enter that recognition contest or otherwise. Certainly in great britan, it appears to become ingrained in experts that they can perform no right. I'm not sure what the heck that's about. All I'm able to do is enjoy things i do. I usually benefit from the research process. I'm able to always rely on that for a great time. Unless of course I am dealing with Cronenberg, where I understand the shoot's likely to be enjoyable and fun, a great chance to learn, calm, professional, with a few laughs on the way, and also the movie's likely to turn to be one I am happy with -- in some cases, it is a crapshoot. Many occasions, the study is I've, so far as that which was really fun. You are making relationships around the shoot if you wish to, but many of shoots don't turn to be handled, well considered, well performed, or enjoyable, and also the finish results could be almost unwatchable sometimes, you realize? Regardless of the best efforts of everyone involved, it is simply the actual way it goes. Photo credit: The new sony Pictures Classics. Follow Moviefone on Twitter Like Moviefone on Facebook #fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-486274.cke_show_edges #fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-486274, #postcontentcontainer #fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-486274