Robert Downey Jr. pays tribute to Oppenheimer’s co-star at Palm Springs Film Awards – The Hollywood Reporter
Robert Downey Jr. and Cillian Murphy arrive for the 35th Palm Springs International Film Festival Awards Gala.
Valerie Macon/AFP via Getty Images
When Robert Downey Jr. stepped into the bright lights on the stage of the Palm Springs Convention Center to present the Desert Palm Achievement Award to his family Oppenheimer Co-star Cillian Murphy revealed he has yet to write a letter.
“I feel like I messed it up because I didn’t write anything and I’m not going to give an excuse, I’m just going to give an explanation. I was distracted (by) the holidays, I had a head cold, and then two earthquakes happened,” he said, referring to recent tremors in Japan and California. Referring to recent tremors in Japan and California, “reactivating my paralyzing earthquake anxiety.” But seriously, he managed to write down some “broad stuff” and was “about to wing it.”
Judging by the response in the room at the Palm Springs International Film Festival’s Palm Springs Film Awards, Downey paid tribute to his fellow star who headlined Christopher Nolan’s critically acclaimed film from Universal Pictures.
“He’s an anomaly. He’s been an actor for over 20 years and no one hates this guy. It’s not easy,” said Downey, who, in addition to being universally beloved in the industry, has received acclaim and awards attention for his role as Louis Strauss. His character work and intensity on screen never fail. Capt. Captivating, it’s surprising.
Downey described Nolan as a “man of the long game” and then described the industry’s reaction to the news that his frequent collaborator Murphy would take on the lead role as J. Robert Oppenheimer in the story of the creation of the atomic bomb. “It’s the kind of generational casting decision that gives you goosebumps, just the potential of it. … When I heard the announcement, I said, ‘This is going to be event cinema.’ And then this guy had to prove it.”
Spoiler alert: Downey said he proved it. “I’ve been in this game for almost 40 years and I’ve never had the experience of watching Killian carry the weight of J. Robert on his back all the time, his heart on his sleeve and all the sophistication and restraint that is required.”
Murphy, who admitted he doesn’t like talking about himself, paid Downey some credit in exchange for starting his speech. In addition to praising his work in the film as an actor of “amazing ability,” he said audiences “should also know that he is one of the kindest, most compassionate, generous, and funniest human beings I have ever had the pleasure of working with.” “.
He then turned his attention to Nolan and his producing partner and wife, Emma Thomas, by describing the last 20 years of working with them as a “mind-boggling, life-changing experience.” Murphy said so when he received the script for OppenheimerHe knew it was an opportunity that comes “maybe once in your career if you’re lucky. … I didn’t forget that for a moment. I knew it was a responsibility and I just went for it.”
In conclusion, the Special Representative thanked his family. “Two-thirds of them are sitting there. We had to leave one of them at home (because of exams), but just thank you for putting up with me, putting up with my half, shadowing me and my absence, the remains of me when I do a film like this and work in general.”
