Benicio del Toro stars in “Jimmy P. (Psychotherapy Of A Plains Indian).”
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Benicio del Toro is the star of Arnaud Desplechin’s “Jimmy P. (Psychotherapy of a Plains Indian),” part of the official selection at the Cannes Film Festival. He talks to Metro about his (inevitable) bond with co-star Mathieu Amalric and shares his thoughts on the Palme D’Or.
On playing a real life character
“Even though Jimmy Picard really did exist, it doesn’t change my interpretation of the character. The most important thing was to portray him as a human being, not as an Indian. I based myself on Georges Devreux’s book, “Psychotherapy of a Plains Indian,” as well as Arnaud Desplechin’s script. I then worked on Jimmy’s accent, before finding in him something that touched me on a more intimate level. It all gets a little too personal from here…”
On working with director Arnaud Desplechin
“I was aware of some of his work. But I liked the way Arnaud spoke to me about the project. I could see his passion for it. When he asked me to be in “Jimmy P.” he made me read the script and then gave me some of his movies to watch. I appreciated the fact that he was trying to make me step into his world. I opened myself up to him completely, as Jimmy does with George in the movie.”
On his friendship with Mathieu Amalric
“We met in Cannes several years ago. I love and respect a lot of his work. You can’t force the chemistry between two actors. You either have it or you don’t.”
On winning an award
“I’m lucky because I have already been to Cannes several times and been involved in the official competition (he won the Best Actor award in 2008 for Steven Soderbergh’s “Che.”) The excitement is the same each time. It would be amazing for the movie to win an award. As for me…”
