MOTHER AND CHILD | An Interview with Samuel L. Jackson
An Interview with Samuel L. Jackson
By Damien D. Smith

May 3rd, 2010

Staring: Naomi Watts, Annette Bening, Kerry Washington, Jimmy Smits, and Samuel L Jackson

The film is centered Three women's lives share a common core: they have all been profoundly affected by adoption. Karen (Annette Bening) had a baby at 14, gave her up at birth, and has been haunted ever since by the daughter she never knew. Elizabeth (Naomi Watts) grew up as an adopted child; she's a bright and ambitious lawyer, but a flinty loner in her personal life. Lucy (Kerry Washington) is just embarking with her husband on the adoption odyssey, looking for a baby to become their own.

Samuel L. Jackson (Pulp Fiction, Jungle Fever, Iron Man I &II) plays Paul a high powered lawyer who becomes intertwined into one of the complicated relationships.

Blackfilm.com sat down with Mr. Jackson to talk to him about his intense role.

You play so many larger than life characters in films. How does it feel playing a soft spoken regular guy? Samuel L. Jackson: It’s exciting to step into the den of this character as is it to play the others. The story and the dynamics of his character and what’s going on with Naomi move the story forward. That was Rodrgo’s vision.

Your character seems really powerful as attorney but quiet lonely. How was that relating to your character?

Samuel L. Jackson: He talked about his wife openly right before they had sex. Also my character stared out as the hunter and became the hunted within the relationship, and then tried to regain power by making her an offer but at certain points you have to realize that. It was an emotional wall and you’re never going to open it up. Hopefully if your old enough and smart enough your learn how to navigate through it.

How was it working with Naomi Watts? Samuel L. Jackson: It was great. I know her socially a bit; I know her husband better, The first scene we did was that scene in the apartment, so fortunately we got that out the way, and the love making scene shot at the end of filming can be uneasy with the anticipation that comes along with that. Also fortunately she was the one in charge. It was really great working with her. I expect everyone to be prepared when they come to work and she was.

It was good seeing Tatyana Ali playing your daughter. How was it working with her?

Samuel L. Jackson: It was cool. I had a great time that day when I had my family there because I knew a lot of people knew she was my daughter, and the guy who played my son was JarJar Binks (laughing) but you guys didn’t know that.

You and your wife didn’t have any scenes together but how was it working with her? Did the two of you ever car pool to set? Samuel L. Jackson: Hell Naw. We didn’t even work on the same day. The last time we worked on a movie together was ‘Freedomland,’ and even then we drove our own cars. How is everything going with playing Nick Fury in ‘Iron Man 2?’ Samuel L. Jackson: Well I started on it when I did the end of Iron Man 1. My foot was on the path. Now my foot's a little deeper on the path with Iron Man 2. I'm not in Thor. Supposed to do Captain America this summer in London.

Why are you’re not in Thor?

Samuel L. Jackson: I have no idea. I'm not in charge of making those decisions. I thought I was. They said I was in the trades, and I was like, 'Oh, I've got a job!' And then, I called my agent and she said, 'Nah, you're not in it. They misprinted.' I was like, 'Well shit, they need to pay me just ’cause they put my name in it.

Getting back to Mother and Child adoption is the theme of the film I would like to know your thoughts on it? Samuel L. Jackson: Adoption is one of those things that are cool. Everyone know somebody that is adopted are everyone threatens your with it (Smiling). Your mother would threaten you by say You keep acting up I’m going to take you back because your adopted (Laughing). It’s interesting on how Rodrigo plays it a certain way because you have a girl that is wondering why her mother never wanted her. I don’t know if you know but I grew up with kids that where in an adoption home and never got adopted and they have this feeling of why no one ever wanted them. Then you look at the other side of the film where you have a kid that about to have a kid she has her mother trying to influence her to keep the child. I personally think people who want children should have children.

I hear that you might be in ‘The Last Dragon’ as Sho Nuf?

Samuel L. Jackson: Not yet. It’s one of those things that it has not fully come to fruition, and if so I would be Bruce Leroy. Why would I be Sho’Nuf that’s kind of type casting if you ask me (Joking).

Can you talk about your involvement in the next Spike Lee Joint?

Samuel L. Jackson: Umm Spike’s. I think this is like Spike’s Michael Jackson. He has written this movie about these folks wanting to have this concert in a Brooklyn Park for Michael but sinse it has become gentrified, the people in the neighborhood is worried about it. The day after the Academy Awards, Spike and I had lunch at Mr. Chow and we spoke about it. I guess you can call that a power meeting (Joking).

How did you get involved with Mother and Child?

Samuel L. Jackson: I’m not real sure how I got the script or what route it took me to get it. What’s important is that I got it. I went and did a reading and well you see what happens but I guess he trusted me enough to put this character in my hands. I like this script a lot and I hope it does well and hopefully this film will find its audience.

MOTHER AND CHILD OPENS ON MAY 7, 2010