FLIcK Magazine

Interview- Tom Wilkinson: Charming Gangster

Carmine Falcone is the evil mobster that faces off with the Caped Crusader in Batman Begins. Behind the designer business suit is British actor Tom Wilkinson, best known for his Oscar-nominated role In the Bedroom, as well as The Full Monty and Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. So what does the Bat Signal have to do with the actor's character? Find out in this exclusive interview.

Q: Does Carmine Falcone possess a certain quality that you think fans can relate to?

A: He doesn't see himself as the ultimate "Bond," take-over-the-world kind of villain. I find him charming!

Q: What was it like going up against Christian Bale?

A: Christian Bale I know from a movie we did in Denmark called The Prince of Jutland, so I got to know him when he was a young lad. He's great. I'm such a fan of his.

Q: Where does Falcone fit into the plot, and what makes him able to hold his own to Batman?

A: He's the first bad guy that Batman cuts his teeth on, and his claim to fame is he is the model for the Bat Signal. Batman throws him over this spotlight, and his clothes have been ripped and the shadow cast in the sky is the Bat Signal.

Q: What did you learn about Batman you didn't know before joining the cast?

A: When Bruce Wayne comes to my headquarters looking for revenge, I said to him, "You can't do this because everyone knows who you are." So that's when he goes home and says to himself, "I have to dress up and be in disguise." I always cherished the moment when Bruce Wayne decides to be Batman, and probably said to himself in front of a mirror, "Do the ears look good? How long should the cloak be?" Or saying, "This looks good. No one will notice me."

Q: Did you film much on location? What was your favorite set location?

A: We filmed in the docks in the East End of London--that was the Bat Signal scene. In Northampton also they built the huge set in hangars, which were going to house a famous airship. Because of the Hindenburg disaster, the airships had failed, but they kept the hangars, and it would take you half an hour to walk around them. They built all of Gotham City in it and filmed car chases in the hangars as well. The movie studio rented the hangars for around five years.

Q: What was most surprising to you about working on a big franchise film like Batman Begins?

A: I think the most surprising thing I've had to do is to be part of the video game. I'm an old-style actor: You do your stuff and then go home. And they said now you've got to be in this interactive game, and I was very happy to do that. My kids think that is way cooler to do than the movie!

Q: What would you like to say to movie fans who are about to watch Batman Begins?

A: I think they're in for a big treat. Nolan is a really talented director! Chris, I'm sure, will do something striking with this film. I know it's going to be fantastic.

(more insider scoops)

Q: Does director Christopher Nolan have a unique work style that reflects his eccentric films (like Memento)?

A: I don't know him well enough to know that, but he is profoundly bright, easy to work with, knows exactly what he's doing, and he is fantastically confident. He knows what he wants, and I would love to work with him again. He was absolutely impressive and a good fellow.

Q: How has your Best Actor Oscar nomination for In the Bedroom affected your film career? What are your memories of Oscar night?

A: It has to to some extent. What doesn't happen is people queing up to stand in line to give you jobs. More people know who you are. It would make a bigger difference for me than for Morgan Freeman or Clint Eastwood. It makes a difference to employers. They are slightly more reassured about you. I was absolutely convinced I wasn't going to win [the Oscar]. Basically, I enjoy going to these big functions. Here's the real nice thing, you see all those famous people and occasionally one comes up to you and knows who you are! That's quite surprising. You retain the kind of feeling about making movies that you did when you were young. You have no great claims to your own fame.

Q: Do you prefer serious roles or comical roles (such as your part as the unemployed supervisor-turned stripper in The Full Monty)?

A: I like both, as long as they're good. Comedy is harder than drama to write. It's, in a certain sense, easier to write a serious film. Comedy is tougher but not to act in it.

Q: What made you choose acting as a career?

A: I was at school until I was about 17, and I was forced into doing an acting role in a school play, which nobody wanted to do. And then I directed a play. I just knew how to do it, and I thought, "Oh well, I can make a living with this!" In the '60s, the big revolution brought about blue-collar kids being influenced by the Beatles and other music. I thought, "Maybe you don't have to be middle class to be an actor. Maybe I can be one if I'm below middle class."

Q: What is your dream film role?

A: My dream film role hasn't been written yet, and for all actors, their best work is always in front of them! No one says, "I was good then, and now I'm crap." You get scripts sent to you and want to read something in a script and say that's for me. You want to say that no one in the world can do that part better than I can. My dream role would probably be a comedy.

Q: Your dream theatre role?

A: I think theatre might be a bit of a closed book for me.

Q: How do you typically spend opening weekend of your films, and what are your plans for the Batman Begins premiere?

A: Usually, I never know when they come out. No one ever tells me! I read about it in the newspapers.

Q: Upcoming projects?

A: Exorcism of Emily Rose--I play a priest in that. It's loosely inspired by a real story. Also A Good Woman and Separate Lives, which have not been released yet.

Q: Besides your family and career, what means the most to you in your life?

A: That's all there is for me!

Profile Questions

Q: Last movie you saw?

A: On DVD, I saw Les Choristes.

Q: Last book you read?

A: The Unicorn by Iris Murdoch. Also a book by Harlen Coben.

Q: CD currently in your CD player?

A: Victoria Requiem by the Westminster Cathedral Choir.

Q: Favorite movie as a child?

A: The movie I most remember is John Ford's film The Searchers.

Q: Must-haves on the set/in your trailer?

A: A good book

Q: Favorite time period?

A: Anytime is the right time to be around if you're rich. It would've been wonderful to be a movie star (ala Charlie Chaplin) between the wars, 1920-1930s, in Hollywood. The best period for me is right now.

Q: What's your favorite pastime?

A: Playing golf. I played today and quite well, but I still thought that was really hard.

Rapid Fire Questions

Q: Reading the book or seeing the movie?

A: Depends what you do first--always seeing the movie before the book first.

Q: Watching the movie on DVD or in the theater?

A: In the theater

Q: Singing or dancing?

A: Singing. I'm not a good dancer. I was taught in The Full Monty.

Q: Health food or fast food?

A: Fast food has its place--once every two weeks is good for a burger and fries. The rest of the time is a balanced diet.

Q: Coffee or tea?

A: Coffee and tea--both are good in moderation.

Q: Diet or regular (soda)?

A: Still water is what I am!

Q: New or restored?

A: New

Q: City or countryside?

A: City. I was brought up in the countryside, and I've had the countryside up to here!

Q: Morning or night person?

A: Neither really, my best hours are from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. I do have to get up at 7 a.m. to take the kids to school.

Q: Dressed up or casual?

A: I like both. I would like to be a guy who wears suits all the time, but I don't.

Back to top