Why Jodie Foster initially rejected Robert De Niro’s method acting approach and what she realized afterwards.
Jodie Foster recalled her first impressions of Robert De Niro at the Marrakesh Film Festival when the two starred together in 1976’s Taxi Driver. The then twelve-year-old actress initially found De Niro’s method acting approach to be “really uninteresting.” But over time she changed her view of him and the job.
Conversations with waiters instead of with your co-star
“We rehearsed the scenes two or three times,” said Foster, according to Variety, about filming the Martin Scorsese thriller. De Niro, whom she described as “one of the greatest American actors,” remained strong in character during her time on set. “He was really uninteresting as a person,” Foster said dryly.
That’s why she probably asked herself at lunch together: “What’s happening here? When can I go home?” Robert De Niro hardly spoke to her, which is why she chatted with waitresses and other restaurant guests instead.
The realization at the third lunch
However, after the third lunch together, Jodie Foster’s perspective changed fundamentally. “I realized it was my mistake because I didn’t bring enough to it,” Foster told Variety. Until then, she had simply recited her lines and waited for the next repetition of a scene instead of actively working on developing her character.
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“I remember how excited I was,” the actress described the moment of realization. “Sweaty and giggling with excitement,” she returned to her mother’s hotel room after the work day and told her about this revelation. “From then on everything changed,” continued Jodie Foster.
The Oscar winner
The 63-year-old now has two Oscars for Best Actress. She won the Academy Award once in 1992 for her role in “The Silence of the Lambs” and once in 1989 for her role in “Accused.”
The Los Angeles-born actress has also been active behind the camera for a long time – as a director and producer.
Most recently, Jodie Foster was seen in the current season of “True Detective” as Liz Danvers. She will next appear on the big screen in “A Private Life” as psychiatrist Lilian Steiner.