NEW YORK – She is in the dictionary under "genteel." Or is it "gracious?" Perhaps both.
Sissy Spacek has come a long way since she warbled as a Coal Miner's Daughter or torched her prom as Carrie.
In her new film, the critically adored In the Bedroom, she is a monster of a different type. She's revenge-driven housewife who simmers to an occasional boil but won't rest until justice is served for the death of her son.
In person Spacek is a lovely southern woman and her farm in Charlottesville, Va. is a world away from Hollywood. She is open, candid and is enjoying the attention of this little film.
McCuddy: Sissy, why don't you work more?
Spacek: (Smiling) That's a good question. Uh, you know I usually work, once, about once or twice a year. And it's always been that way.
McCuddy: And that's your choice.
Spacek: Yeah, though, you know...if some great project came along I wouldn't say, 'I'm sorry, I've already worked my once or twice.' But historically in my life, that's about how often I find something that I really want to do. Although, years have gone by when I didn't. Then the rumor was out that I was retired but it was really (pantomiming turning pages quickly) madly...looking...for...something I wanted to do!
McCuddy: You were tired. You weren't retired. You were looking for something...you were reading scripts. Did you pass on anything that became famous that you said, 'Oh, why didn't I do that?'
Spacek: Oh...uh...when my children were babies I passed on everything. Regardless of what it became. And I've had no, no regrets.
McCuddy: What was the biggest of those hits?
Spacek: (Smiling) Ohhhh, I wouldn't say.
McCuddy: C'mon.
Spacek: Wouldn't say. No. No.
McCuddy: One?
Spacek: No, that wouldn't be fair to me or the person who...
McCuddy: Meryl Streep wasn't sending you payments to keep having children?
Spacek: (Laughing) Meryl, you can stop now.
McCuddy: You know, you're in a Miramax movie.
Spacek: Yes I am.
McCuddy: A very serious one, near the end of the year...
Spacek: (Nodding)
McCuddy: ...and that has 'Oscar Campaign' written all over it. Are you ready for that?
Spacek: Always ready.
McCuddy: I mean it goes without saying that it is an Oscar-worthy performance.
Spacek: Oh, thank you. Um, well, always ready. Always ready. Never expecting.
McCuddy: Because you're not one of those people that likes to do the Hollywood thing. Come out. Go on a lot of shows. That's my perception.
Spacek: Well...
McCuddy: You live on a farm in Virginia.
Spacek: Right. I've got my hands full. I've got my hands full.
McCuddy: Do you get up and, I don't know, milk a cow?
Spacek: Oh no, we have no cows.
McCuddy: No?
Spacek: We just have kids and dogs and cats and horses.
McCuddy: So what's a typical 'Sissy Spacek day?'
Spacek: Oh, I do just usually what everybody else does. I make my bed. Straighten up the house. Feed my children. Get them to school. Run my errands. I'm a maaaaaaajor procrastinator so I usually do everything that's unimportant first.
McCuddy: As opposed to this character who seems to have everything organized.
Spacek: (Quickly) Oh, I'm very organized. But I'm...her work is right there, but yes, she's more organized than I am.
McCuddy: Well get ready, get organized.
Spacek: I've been trying to get organized. I need help! Oh, my gosh!
McCuddy: Because you're going to the Oscars.
Spacek: Bless your heart.
'In The Bedroom' is in limited release.
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