Scott returns to Maine
Actor, son of George C. Scott, start in film tonight
Copyright © 2003 Blethen Maine Newspapers Inc.
One might expect the son of the great George C. Scott and venerable Colleen Dewhurst to be inaccessible, unapproachable.
Campbell Scott, son of legendary actor George C. Scott, talks about his latest film in Belgrade Lakes on Friday. The movie, łThe Secret Lives of Dentists,˛ will be shown tonight at the Maine International Film Festival in Waterville. click to enlarge
However, Campbell Scott is anything but. The 42-year-old actor, who stars in "The Secret Lives of Dentists," to be shown tonight at the Maine International Film festival, is friendly and welcoming.
He calls himself as a country boy, having grown up in Westchester, N.Y., where he still lives. Coming to Maine brings back memories of his childhood.
"I've been to Maine many times," he said. "When I was young my mother used to come here to do summer stock in York, Kennebunkport and Ogunquit and I would come with her. We came to interior Maine when we went to Canada. How could you not like it?"
Sitting on the front porch of a cabin where he is staying in the Belgrade Lakes region, Scott on Friday talked about "The Secret Lives ...," which will be featured at 7:15 tonight at Railroad Square Cinema.
Scott co-produced the film with George VanBuskirk. Craig Lucas wrote the screenplay, which is based on the novella "The Age of Grief" by Jane Smiley.
Scheduled to be released in major cities next month, the film has been shown at other festivals, including Sundance and Cannes.
Directed by Alan Rudolph and shot in Westchester County last year, the film is about dentists Dave and Dana Hurst (played by Hope Davis), partners in both marriage and a dental practice.
Their well-established, comfortable suburban life with three daughters is thrown into unexpected turmoil when Dave witnesses what he thinks is his wife in an intimate embrace with another man.
"It's a dark comedy — it's intense," Scott said.
He said he enjoyed doing the film, which was shot in six weeks and cost $5.5 million to produce.
"I was with so many people I already knew," he said. "I was with people that I really, really trust. Alan (Rudolph) is the best. He's great with actors. Actors love him. He's a real kind of European director. He does long takes and he really lets you act."
The tall, gray-haired and bespectacled Scott looks at home in the remote cottage where he has spent several days. It is nestled among hardwood trees next to the water.
His 5-year-old son, Malcolm, trots into the cabin with Scott's friend, actress Patty Clarkson, who has appeared in movies such as "Far From Heaven" and "The Green Mile."
A shy Malcolm peeks through the screen door at his father, who smiles back.
"Are you tip-toeing? You don't have to hide," Scott says, to which the boy responds with a giggle.
To Scott, family is obviously important. His is named after his late father, whose middle name was Campbell.
"It's an old family name," Scott explains. "I had a great uncle whose first name was Campbell. I have a nephew named Campbell."
Scott, who starred in films including "Roger Dodger," "The Spanish Prisoner," "Singles," and "Dying Young," says he enjoys coming to film festivals.
"I love to do stuff like this, especially with these films because people are very vocal after the showing, which I love," he said. "People have strong opinions."
Amy Calder — 861-9247
acalder@centralmaine.com