For the directors, what do you think is so appealing about telling dark themes in films?
Rob Epstein: I don’t think we started from that point. We really saw it as a story of a young woman who found herself in a circumstance not of her making at a very young age. She had to struggle to find her own power and voice. So that was always the overarching theme for us.
It was set in a world that took her into a very dark place, by the nature of her relationship with Chuck Traynor, and the fact that she was a victim of domestic violence. For us, it was always Linda’s story.
Linda obviously didn’t want her parents to know about her career. Has there been anything that you’ve done in your career that you didn’t want your parents to see?
Amanda Seyfried: I don’t want my dad to see my naked body ever. I’m going to cover his eyes. It’s really just the nudity. I don’t have any problem with him watching me in violent situations. In sexual situations it’s a little tough too, but it’s more just the nudity. I think anyone can really relate to that. That’s been it for me.
Sharon, where do you think your character is coming from as a parent?
Sharon Stone: She’s coming from misinformation, and lack of experience, and her own difficult and broken journey. One of the reasons why I took this part is that a mother is a key element in all of our lives. A mother is so tremendously important to us.
Also, women’s rights are so important and what Linda did by demonstrating that it’s not how you fall, it’s about how you get up, that’s what’s so valuable. Women’s rights are so important, and they’re in question right now. You see a mother in a time where women’s rights are not really clear, and when information for women isn’t really clear or on the table. You can see how desperately she needed that information, and how much it could have helped her.
What’s your opinion on the reconciliation scene between Linda and her mother? Do you think she deserved that forgiveness?
Sharon Stone: Being a parent, and also having wonderful parents myself, I can say that whatever happens with your children they never stop being your children. You love them. You may not always like them. You may not always agree with the choices that they make, but I don’t think we ever stop loving our children, or ever stop hoping that they will find their true north.
When your child finds the best of themselves and does want you to help with that journey, I think the very best thing you can do is give them yourself. That’s our job. That’s our journey. That’s the thing we accept when we agree to be a parent. As for the reconciliation, from my personal point of view, I would say yes, and resoundingly so.
Jeffrey Friedman: One of the wonderful things about Sharon’s performance is that you get the sense that she’s trying to be what she thinks is a good mother. The way she goes about it is horrifying at times, but it comes from a place of trying to do the right thing. She does what she needs to do to get her daughter on track. It’s partly a result of the times and her own upbringing. But you never feel like it’s coming from a place of evil; it’s coming from a place of caring.
Since there were so many intense scenes in Lovelace, can the cast talk about anything that was going on in terms of hanging out to escape that intensity?
Sharon Stone: What I can say is that we were making this film fast so there wasn’t a lot of hanging out, but there was a tremendous support system. I can say that the great thing about playing a mother to such a wonderful young actress is that being a mother, you bring that to the set. Seeing a young actress coming to work and giving it her all and moving into such a complex performance, it’s wonderful to see happening with this directing team.
To see this intelligent, thoughtful, prepared, amazing guidance happening for all of us was great. When you can work in a fast environment that isn’t a high budget, but when it’s so together, it’s such a gift. The downtime felt really supportive because of that.
Amanda Seyfried: I was happy that we started off with our scenes, because I was terrified the first day. It really would have been different if it had not been you, Sharon. Thank you for helping me through it, especially with your maternal energy. It was also amazing with the three of you (motions to Stone, Epstein and Friedman), especially with that one scene (where Linda and Dorothy confront each other in Dorothy’s kitchen).
Rob Epstein: Well, that was our second day of shooting. We had to shoot that scene of Linda coming home to her mother and asking her to take her in.
Sharon Stone: You were smart to do that, though. You were smart to write it like that and put it up front. I think these guys really know what they’re doing, and how to pull us into it. (Stone starts tearing up, and hugs Seyfried.)