Blythe Danner Q&A

filmbuff

OK I am going to be the one to ask the question everyone is dying to know! What's it like being Gwyneth's mother?! (Very nice I imagine but are you close?)

Fabulous! It’s wonderful! She teaches me things all the time – she’s become an incredible mother and businesswoman. My hope is that as the children grow older, she’ll get back to more acting. She has an extraordinary gift, it comes really easily to her and she’s so good at it.

damson

Hi Blythe have you and Gwyneth ever acted in something together and if you haven't would you like to (I thought she was fabulous in Country Strong)? Or do you prefer to keep work and family separate? Also the kinds of films you do are quite different so if you did do something together what would you like it to be?

We have! We’ve done three stage shows, a television show but we don’t ever actually talk about work. When we’re together, it’s usually family stuff that we’re doing that isn’t related to work. I don’t know why – we just don’t talk about business much.

twoforjoy

Can I also ask what it was like to work with woody allen? I'm dying to know...

I’ve done three films with Wood. Woody is so funny – funny ‘ha ha’ but also, a man of very few words. He’ll tell you exactly where he wants you to stand and what he wants you to do and then, if you say a line that doesn’t sound like him, he’ll come over and do a reading so that you learn how to sound more like him. I said ‘oh, so you want me to do you?’. He has a particular pattern and flow. He’s terrific – there’s only one Woody Allen.

KChristy

id just like to say thank you for your work with planned parenthood - i am continually amazed by the lack of sexual health services and support for women and am glad that tgere are people like you to help raise awareness and keep places like this - which offer services a woman should have the right to have access to - going. when and what made you get involved?

You’re absolutely right. It’s crucial, especially now that clinics have been cut. It’s a crime because they prevent not only pregnancy, but STDs and they have breast cancer screenings. They’re invaluable, especially for women who can’t afford to do it any other way. I’ve always wanted to get involved, ever since I was a young woman and abortion was illegal.

Spidergran5

Do you think it's harder for women in film to stay in the business? Is ageism getting better or worse, in your opinion?

I think last year demonstrated that there are lots of wonderful roles for women and I do think it’s getting better. As we have a greater demand from the ‘baby boomer’ generation, more movies will come along that have roles for women of a certain age.

emerald123

it looks a lovely film despite the fact that it reminds me of how cast adrift i felt ater my husband died. Wouldn't it be lovelt if there was a Bill around the corner for all of us??

If you want a Bill, go out and look for him! He might just be there waiting for you.