Additional Coverage:
- Carol Kane thought Gene Wilder was ‘out of his mind’ when he asked her to do a comedy with him (newsbreak.com)
Watching Carol Kane perform, one can’t miss the distinctiveness of her eyes. Her expressive glances have depicted everything from Gitl’s unwavering spirit in “Hester Street” to Jill Johnson’s sheer terror in “When A Stranger Calls” and the eccentric chaos of Lillian Kaushtupper in “Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt.” These roles have solidified her status as an iconic character actor of her generation.
In person, her captivating eyes are just as striking. They light up when she talks about working with Jack Nicholson in her early films, connecting with her “Taxi” co-stars via Zoom, and the idea of reprising her role from “The Princess Bride” in a Muppet adaptation. Kane’s engaging presence endears you and doesn’t let go.
This magnetic charm is a key ingredient in her new film, Nathan Silver’s indie comedy-drama “Between the Temples.” Kane stars alongside Jason Schwartzman as Carla, a widowed former teacher embarking on an adult bat mitzvah.
She persuades Ben (Schwartzman), a widowed cantor grappling with a crisis of faith, to guide her through this coming-of-age ritual typically reserved for adolescents. Their journey together forges a heartwarming and believable bond.
Kane eagerly accepted the role to work with Schwartzman. “That’s why I did the movie in the first place; someone told me I had an offer to act alongside Jason Schwartzman, and I said, ‘Let me at it,'” she tells Business Insider. Despite the challenges of improvisation, she was emboldened after watching Silver’s previous film, “Cutting My Mother,” asserting, “Even though there was no real script, I decided I had to take a chance.”
The gamble paid off. The film is punctuated with both humorous and deeply touching improvisational moments from Kane and Schwartzman.
Ultimately, “Between the Temples” serves as an ideal platform for showcasing Kane’s comedic and dramatic skills. Kane, who garnered an Oscar nomination for her role in “Hester Street” and ventured into comedy thanks to Gene Wilder’s encouragement in “The World’s Greatest Lover,” reflects on her career in Business Insider’s “Role Play” series.
Discussing her ballet skills becoming a punchline in “Scrooged” and reconnecting with her “Taxi” cast via Zoom, Kane shares anecdotes from her storied career. She recounts how her ballet efforts, under the direction of Dick Donner and the observation of art director Michael Riva, went from a sincere effort to a comedic highlight, thanks to Riva’s suggestion.
Kane remains in touch with her “Taxi” co-stars thanks to Marilu Henner’s exceptional memory and initiative during the COVID-19 pandemic. They continue to have regular Zoom calls, encompassing the entire main cast.
She also reflects on Jack Nicholson’s quiet generosity during their collaboration on “Carnal Knowledge” and “The Last Detail.” Kane shares how Nicholson’s understated help on set was instrumental, describing him as protective and generous.
With a wide-ranging career that spans dramatic roles like “Hester Street” and “Dog Day Afternoon” to iconic comedic performances, Kane admits to experiencing difficulty coping with the success her early roles brought. She even speaks of a major career opportunity she regretfully turned down due to her overwhelming self-doubt at the time.
For Kane, improvisational projects like “Between the Temples” came naturally after experiences on sets like “Scrooged” and improvising with Andy Kaufman on “Taxi.” However, working on “Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt” presented its own challenges due to the lack of a live audience, a stark contrast to her experience on shows like “Taxi.”
Kane expresses her willingness to reprise her roles, notably Lillian from “Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt” and her part in “The Princess Bride,” though she hesitates at the idea of a direct remake. However, she finds the idea of a Muppet-based rendition of “The Princess Bride” intriguing and would consider participating if the original cast returned in Muppet form.
“Between the Temples” is now showing in theaters. To read the full article visit Business Insider.