Laura Linney Opens Up About Career Highs and the 'Delightmare' of 'Congo'
In a candid new interview, acclaimed actress Laura Linney has shared intimate details about her illustrious career, reflecting on her collaborations with Hollywood heavyweights and addressing one of her most notorious film credits. The Oscar-nominated star, known for roles in Ozark and Love, Actually, spoke with The Independent for their Life in Pictures series, offering behind-the-scenes insights into her biggest projects.
From Mark Ruffalo to Jason Bateman: Linney's Career Reflections
During the wide-ranging conversation, Linney, 62, delved into her early work alongside then-newcomer Mark Ruffalo in You Can Count On Me, her role in the Jim Carrey classic The Truman Show, and her beloved part in the festive favourite Love, Actually. She revealed a personal touch from director Richard Curtis, who sent her a letter before casting her in the romantic comedy. Linney also discussed her current role in the sitcom American Classic, where she stars opposite Kevin Kline, and shared anecdotes about working with Clint Eastwood on three occasions, highlighting the lessons learned from the directing maestro.
'Congo': A 'Great Bad Movie' and Linney's Debut Lead Role
However, it was her reflection on the 1995 film Congo that stood out as a highlight of the interview. Based on Michael Crichton's 1980 novel and directed by Frank Marshall, the action-adventure film marked Linney's debut as a lead actress and remains the only action film in her repertoire. Despite receiving seven Golden Raspberry Award nominations for its perceived flaws, Linney looks back on the experience with fondness and humour.
"Congo's one of the great bad movies of our time!" she exclaimed. "It's a great one. It's a delightmare. That's what I call it." She added that she hasn't watched it in years but plans to revisit it in old age for a nostalgic boost, saying, "I'll go back to it when I'm really old and want to feel good about myself, and be like, 'Oh God, I was young. I was sweet – look at that. And look at my arms!' I'll do that."
Linney's Accolades and Current Projects
Throughout her career, Laura Linney has earned three Oscar nominations for You Can Count On Me, Kinsey, and The Savages, along with four Emmy wins for roles in Wil Iris, Frasier, John Adams, and The Big C. She also received four Emmy nominations for her performance in the Netflix series Ozark, where she discussed drawing out the serious side of co-star Jason Bateman. Currently, she stars in American Classic, a new series streaming on MGM+ that follows a narcissistic Broadway star's return to his hometown.
In the interview, Linney also touched on her friendships with actors like Liam Neeson and Holland Taylor, providing a well-rounded glimpse into her personal and professional life. Her reflections underscore a career built on diverse roles, from critically acclaimed dramas to what she lovingly terms a 'delightmare' in film history.
