Richard Gere’s Venice Film Festival masterclass: A night of nostalgia and insights
A birthday celebration with fans
Richard Gere celebrated his birthday in style, surrounded by enthusiastic fans at a masterclass hosted by Cartier during the Venice Film Festival. The event was a delightful mix of nostalgia and behind-the-scenes revelations, particularly about his iconic film, Pretty Woman, directed by Garry Marshall.
The chemistry that wasn’t
Reacting to a clip of the famous piano scene with Julia Roberts, Gere couldn’t help but laugh and blush. “No chemistry,” he joked, “I mean, this actor and this actress, obviously, had no chemistry between them… I haven’t seen that in a long time, too. It was a sexy, sexy scene.”
Gere revealed that the scene was entirely improvised. “This was never in the script. We didn’t know how we would use it later. It ended up being integral to the film,” he said. He humorously added that his character was “almost criminally underwritten. It was basically a suit and a good haircut.” The idea for the scene emerged when the director asked him to imagine what his character would do during his time at the hotel.
“We just basically improvised this scene. I just started playing something moody that was about this character’s interior life,” Gere explained. The scene added depth to the plot, allowing Roberts’ character to see him in a completely different light. ”There was a mysterious yearning and maybe a damaged quality to this guy that she didn’t know.”
Insights into the craft of filmmaking
During the masterclass, Gere, who is being honored at the AmfAR with the Award of Inspiration, delved into various aspects of filmmaking, including acting, screenwriting, lighting, dubbing, and musical composition. He shared one of the greatest challenges of his career: playing a Japanese-American character in Akira Kurosawa’s Rhapsody in August.
Although Gere himself is Japanese-American, he found the experience challenging. “I kept thinking that I had to do something to make myself Japanese,” he said. He recounted how he spent days trying to alter his appearance and mannerisms, only to be told by the assistant director that Kurosawa thought he already looked completely Japanese.
A triumphant return with ‘Oh, Canada’
Gere made a significant comeback this year with Paul Schrader’s Oh, Canada, which competed at Cannes. The film reunites Gere with Schrader for the first time since 1980’s American Gigolo. In Oh, Canada, Gere plays a terminally ill writer and filmmaker who sits down for a final interview to reveal the unvarnished facts of his life.
Future projects and family ties
Looking ahead, Gere will star opposite Michael Fassbender in The Agency, the U.S. remake of the French spy thriller Le Bureau des Legendes. He also shared that he is working on a project with his son, who attended the masterclass with him.
“It’s a father and son story getting to know each other,” Gere said. “And I’m the father of that young, really cute boy… Now I’m the father!”
Reflections for cinema enthusiasts
For fans of cinema and TV series, Gere’s masterclass was a treasure trove of insights and personal anecdotes. His reflections on improvisation, character development, and the collaborative nature of filmmaking offer valuable lessons for aspiring actors and filmmakers. The event also highlighted the enduring appeal of Pretty Woman and the timeless chemistry between Gere and Roberts, even if he humorously downplayed it.
Gere’s career, marked by iconic roles and collaborations with legendary directors, continues to evolve. His upcoming projects promise to bring more compelling performances and stories to the screen, ensuring that his legacy in the world of cinema remains vibrant and influential.
For those who wish to explore more about the movies and series mentioned, here are the direct links to their trailers and information pages:
Richard Gere’s masterclass was not just a celebration of his birthday but a celebration of his enduring impact on the world of cinema.