We caught up with the cast of Winter’s Tale to talk about the film, get all the dirty details on shooting sex scenes and find out what it’s really like to work with animals on set.
Winter’s Tale is the story of a love so deep it transcends time. The film, which is best described as a fairy tale for adults, sets out to prove to viewers that through love all things – including time travel – are possible. But believe us, this ain’t your average fairy tale!
“I think it is very pointedly a fairy tale for grown ups and that’s what we set out to do,” said director Akiva Goldsman. “It’s an interesting object because the first two-thirds is a fairy tale for kids and there has always been those people who said, ‘well can’t it just be over then?’ The idea that even though it doesn’t turn out the way the storybook promised, there’s a story behind it all that we could find.”
It’s the story of Peter Lake, a common thief who stumbles across the love of his life with the help of his trusty four-legged sidekick.
The two fall hopelessly in love despite her terminal illness and the bounty placed on his head by an evil man. After the death of his beloved, Peter is thrust into an unfamiliar place and time. Unable to remember even the smallest of details about himself, Peter sets out looking for any clues he can find. On his journey to discover who he is and where he came from, he finds who he was really destined to help and is then able to join the love of his life among the stars.
“In my opinion there’s nothing that I’ve experienced that’s more powerful and magical than love and I think in this film, love is capable of bending time and materially shaping the physical universe and I think that that’s really special,” said Jennifer Connelly, who plays Virginia Gamely in the movie.
It wouldn’t be a love story without a few steamy scenes! But none are sexier than the epic sex scene between Colin Farrell’s character, Peter, and Jessica Brown Findlay’s character Beverly. This isn’t your modern day love scene, however. It leaves plenty to be desired – sorry, ladies.
“I believe the love scene between Jessica and Colin is just one of the most beautifully done and so tastefully done. It left something to the imagination,” said legendary actress Eva-Marie Saint. “I find in love scenes today they try and show everything and you know it’s not the real thing anyway. That was so beautifully done it brings tears to my eyes – I wanted to be there!”
The presence of animals as spirit guides plays a huge part in Winter’s Tale. In the wake of major controversy with the ASPCA over the use of animals in films, it’s important to note that each of the animals in this particular film were treated with care and respect.
“The horse that I worked with was beautiful. He’s a really nice character because horses are people too and they differ in the way they carry themselves through the world and the way they interact with each other and the way they interact with people. I had a very nice horse named Listo. There was two horses, but the other one was kind of a relief pitcher who came on when Listo was tired or agitated, which you would be having me on your back for eight hours a day,” joked Colin. “But he was a wonderful, wonderful beast. It was the first time I flew on a horse, which wasn’t as scary as it would seem – No altitude sickness or fear of heights involved because I was actually in a green screen studio sitting on a barrel.”
“I love working with animals. Animals have an honesty that human beings reach to find in their lives at the best of times.”
Colin’s on-screen romance wasn’t the only one he got mixed up in during the film’s production. It seems the 37-year-old found a new leading lady while on the set.
“Colin and I became lovers. You know Hollywood, you know actors,” said fellow castmate Eva-Marie Saint.
While it’s obvious that Saint was only joking, there is an undeniable friendship between each member of this A-list cast and we totally love it.
Winter’s Tale hits theaters Friday, February 14th.
