Fervent speculation preceded the release of Christopher Nolan’s “Interstellar,” with at least one outlet dubbing it the year’s “most mysterious film.” Though the film did pick up a Golden Globe nomination (for Hans Zimmer’s score), prognosticators have geared down, wondering if the lengthy film’s recursive time loops and astrophysical acrobatics would woo Oscar voters or repel them.
The Bagger had a more basic question when she found herself at the Tavern on the Green after-party for the film’s New York premiere last month: Who in the cast really, really knew what they were talking about when their characters were spouting all those astrophysics-y things?
As it turned out, every cast member the Bagger chatted with said they understood. Amazing! (It should be noted that a total of two were interviewed.)
First up was Anne Hathaway, who plays a scientist, and whom the Bagger nabbed sans publicist intervention — no small feat. Ms. Hathaway said that she had already been interested in blackholes and wormholes, and that she, along with her fellow castmates, was coached by Kip Thorne, who is not only a star in the theoretical physics world but also an executive producer of the film.
Ms. Hathaway spent five weeks immersed in the science of it all and reading Mr. Thorne’s book. “But now I’ve forgotten it,” she said.
Also, upon learning the Bagger’s last name, Ms. Hathaway divulged that to prep for the role, she listened to “Lilac Wine” by Jeff Buckley. (No relation, alas.)
Next up was Jessica Chastain, whom the Bagger was introduced to with the help of three publicists (or more?). Thanks to Mr. Thorne, Ms. Chastain said, she too understood everything her character said, at least when she said it, except for an astrophysics equation she scribbled on a blackboard. “That was pure memorization,” she said.
Ms. Chastain also saw connections between this film, which pushes the boundary of the known dimensions, and “Tree of Life.”
“‘Tree of Life’ was about beauty and grace,” she said, “And ‘Interstellar’ is about science and spirituality.’” But, she added, audiences shouldn’t get too hung up on the science of the film, or trying to decipher it, because it was more about love.
Both actresses had far more to say, but it was after midnight and the Bagger’s energy was flagging. Also, it ought to be noted, the Bagger found herself overly distracted by both Ms. Hathaway’s and Ms. Chastain’s transfixingly topnotch eye makeup – this being a recurring, useless thoughtlet your Bagger wrestles with at such events and really hopes will ebb with time.