From comedy to drama to biopics and every genre in between,Elizabeth Banksalways understands the assignment.
The actress had plenty to play with inIFC FilmsSkincare, which premieres Friday in theaters.
And this woman just doesnt know how to do it.
Elizabeth Banks as Hope Goldman in ‘Skincare’IFC Films
I think everyone is worried about staying relevant.
And she was game to do that.
She really brought it, and it wouldnt have been possible with anyone else.
Elizabeth Banks as Hope Goldman inSkincare. (Courtesy of IFC Films)IFC Films
Meanwhile, someone begins stalking and harassing Hope, putting her life and business in jeopardy.
As the tension builds, shes pushed to take action.
As an artist, Ive really always looked for the true-life basis of something, she says.
I really like being grounded by something.
But Peters intention was to use the headlines as a jumping-off point.
Our film is definitely a work of fiction, he says.
But that still felt real and felt true to Los Angeles and life in 2013.
Banks tells Deadline aboutSkincares true-crime inspiration, as well as what she related to in her role.
ELIZABETH BANKS:I really related to Hope Goldmans vulnerability in this, as you say.
And I find, honestly, that narcissism and vulnerability can be really funny.
She takes everything so seriously.
Shes sort of a ridiculous human being, but shes also very lonely.
Shes got no husband, no family, no children.
The business is her life.
And then of course, theres all this outside pressure on this woman.
I love that about it.
And anybody whos selling anything I think now realizes all of that is done online.
Its so nontraditional from what it was that now its the new traditional.
That and this film takes place in that moment in time when it was transferring.
And so this woman is very behind, she doesnt even have an Instagram account when the film opens.
And this woman just doesnt know how to do it.
I think everyone is worried about staying relevant.
Their time is coming, and we do have to give it up at some point.
What does that look like?
But that probably wont happen to 99% of us.
DEADLINE:Also, I love that this movie is technically a sequel toThe Bling Ring.
BANKS:I learned that after the fact.
I knew it was sort of ripped from the headlines.
I didnt know about theBling Ringconnection, but I do now.
But yeah, that guy apparently was one of the guys involved.
It was so wild to me, and so hurtful and vulnerable and true.
DEADLINE:Youve also done quite a few stranger-than-fiction true stories.
Is there something about those that are more interesting?
BANKS:As an artist, Ive really always looked for the true-life basis of something.
I dont do a lot of fantasy work.
You know what I mean?
So I was like, What are the touchpoints in reality?
And let me just say this, real life is always stranger than fiction.
You cant write this stuff.
Its like, every story is being told already.
And if you wrote this, people will be like, Come on, Hollywood.
You crazy, girl!
I wouldnt say I prefer I think you know, the fantasy and imaginative stuff is really interesting.
I love a goodHouse of the Dragon.
So Im not knocking it.
So I just think its fun for the audience to see how we change it.
DEADLINE:What was it like working with Luis Gerardo Mendez and Ella Balinska again afterCharlies Angels?
And so Ella, of course, is perfectly cast.
Luis is a real angel.
And then Lewis Pullman blew my mind.
And by the way, MJ Rodriguez is amazing.Wendie Malickis amazing.
Im a huge fan of Wendie Malicks.
It was so fun to get to work with her.
And by the way, all my family has to commit to it.
I mean, its such a huge time commitment, emotional commitment, psychological commitment.
It takes a big part of my life.
So telling those stories, directing, I need a lot of reasons to do it.
When Im choosing roles to play, I gotta just love the character.
I gotta love the opportunity to sort of explore something.
I felt very connected to Hope Goldman.
I remember those moments, and I remember when it was like Whats this new thing, Botox?
Like, you gotta have a laser facial.
I mean, Im going through that right now.
So for me, its finding a connection point with characters.
