When the Audition . . . is a Previous Gig
If you’re not a “Breaking Bad” fan, the highlight(s) of last night’s episode (“Granite State”) were Bryan Cranston’s brilliant scenes with Robert Forster (also terrific in a supporting role as the father-in-law in “The Descendants”).
Best scene of all: where the two negotiate for Forster, whose character is known as “Vacuum Man,” to extend his stay at Walt’s remote New Hampshire (Vermont?) hideout.
Walt White: ‘I’ll give you $10,000 if you stay another two hours.”
“Vacuum Man”: “One hour. Ten thousand for one hour.”
Walt White: “OK.”
It’s hard to feel rich — as Walt surely is, thanks to his meth empire — when you’ve got to fork over $10,000 for an hour of companionship.
“Casting Decisions”; Work Begets Work
So, how did Forster get the (very plum) “Breaking Bad” gig?
According to Peter Gould, the episode’s writer and director:
“We were thinking about Robert’s character in Jackie Brown, actually. He was a bail bondsman who could handle all these crazy, violent characters. He never took it for granted, but he kept his cool. There was a certain quality of professionalism and cool and smart.”
Yes, sometimes home sellers pick their best friend or niece, the Realtor they know from their kids’ Little League, etc. to represent them as listing agent.
But, sometimes, they just want “somebody who’s done it before.”
“Well,” I might add.
P.S.: Perhaps the best (cinematic) example of “I’ll have what they’re having” is the deli scene with Meg Ryan and Billy Crystal in “When Harry Met Sally.”
The actress who utters that famous line is (director) Rob Reiner’s . . . mother!!
See also, “‘Breaking Bad’s’ Vivid Cast of Characters.”
Thanks to the show, Bob Odenkirk (“Gotta Call Saul”), Aaron Paul (“Jesse Pinkman”), Dean Norris (“Hank Schrader”) and Anna Gunn (“Skyler White”) are household names — at least in some households.
