Starring on a TV show like "Law &
Order: Criminal Intent" is the ideal gig for an actor with
Vincent D’Onofrio’s chameleon-like powers of transformation.
While working on the popular crime drama allows the Bensonhurst
native time to explore and develop a single character, the series’
annual hiatus offers him the freedom to explore a variety of
new personas on the big screen, like the worried father in Mike
Mills’ new film, "Thumbsucker."
"It’s perfect, actually," D’Onofrio told GO Brooklyn
in a telephone interview Thursday. "You get a lot of things
done."
The well-respected character actor, with more than 20 years of
experience, told the Associated Press this summer that he now
has "the cushiest job on television," because he’ll
star in half of this season’s "Law & Order: CI"
episodes with Kathryn Erbe while the other 11 episodes will feature
"Sex and the City" actor Chris Noth (reprising his
decade-old "Law & Order" role as Det. Mike Logan)
opposite Annabella Sciorra.
D’Onofrio has amassed more than 50 acting credits, including
five seasons on "Law & Order: CI," and appearances
in every kind of movie imaginable from warm-hearted romantic
comedies like "Mystic Pizza" and "Mr. Wonderful"
to surreal thrillers like "The Salton Sea" and "The
Cell" to big-budget, Hollywood pictures like "Men in
Black," "Full Metal Jacket" and the upcoming Jennifer
Aniston laffer "The Break Up."
Later this month, the 46-year-old performer will be seen in the
independent film "Thumbsucker." Based on Walter Kirn’s
novel and co-starring Tilda Swinton ("Constantine"),
Keanu Reeves ("The Matrix") and Vince Vaughn ("Wedding
Crashers"), it is the story of a family coping with the
teenage son’s disturbing oral fixation. Newcomer Lou Taylor Pucci
has won awards at the Berlin and Sundance film festivals for
his role as Justin, the titular character, while Swinton and
D’Onofrio portray his confused parents, middle-aged people dealing
with their own fears and regrets. (Reeves plays the guru orthodontist
to whom Justin turns for help in overcoming his problem, while
Vaughn plays the debate coach whose friendship isn’t always in
the boy’s best interest.)
"They sent me the script, and I met Mike Mills for just
about a half an hour or so and we just liked each other a lot,"
D’Onofrio recalled. "I liked what he was trying to tell."
Admitting he wasn’t familiar with the book before reading the
screenplay, the actor said he was immediately drawn to Mills’
version of the story, which was both funny and sad.
"When I read the script, I saw that it was about every member
in a family trying to figure out who they are and that’s what
really goes on, and it was a nice way to tell that kind of story,"
he explained. "To be involved in it, especially to play
a father in that kind of story, was a really interesting role."
D’Onofrio said he could relate to his character in almost every
way.
"I have two kids [Leila, 13, with actress Greta Scacchi
and Elias, 5, with Carin van der Donk] and I’ve got my eyes on
them at all times. But at the same time I have my eyes on my
own life and how it’s evolving," said D’Onofrio, who spent
most of his childhood and teen years shuttling between divorced
parents in Brooklyn and Florida. "So, it’s the balance of
the two to make sure that you have your eyes on your kids all
the time and then still take in yourself and everyone else around
you. It’s a huge task, but it’s what life is – a struggle to
keep trying to get it right and don’t quit."
The actor said he had a wonderful time making this movie because
the people involved were so talented and creative.
"I had a great time," D’Onofrio remarked. "Tilda
and I went straight into improvisations for a couple of weeks
and the time I spent in that house with those actors and Mike
was a great experience. They’re really good actors and we searched
really deep, and it shows in the movie, I think."
Although "Thumbsucker" is the first full-length movie
for Mills, D’Onofrio described the director of countless commercials,
music videos and short films as a consummate professional, one
who was open to new ideas and who encouraged actors to offer
their input.
"He’s an artist," D’Onofrio said simply. "He knows
how to collaborate. Everybody on the set, no matter who you were,
was listened to. And the best thing about him is that he can
direct. He knows how to guide. He knows the story he’s trying
to tell and he gets you there."
The ability to work quickly and often affords D’Onofrio the opportunity
to constantly pursue new and exciting projects.
"I’m never bored. I enjoy what I do so much. There’s no
grand plan, I just want to do what I want to do when I want to
do it."
So, does that mean D’Onofrio doesn’t try to stagger his film
choices, like following up a heavy drama with a comedy so as
not to repeat himself?
"Not if there is another heavy drama that I like,"
he said. "I’ve been in over 50 films. I’ve been in the business
for half of my life. I’ve had really good luck, and I’ve worked
with some incredible people, and I’ve never been out of work.
And so every time I see an opportunity, like making a film, especially
now, I’m going to try to take advantage of it."
Although he has started making short films himself – his 32-minute
"Five Minutes, Mr. Welles," about Orson Welles, was
shown out of competition at the Venice International Film Festival
earlier this month – D’Onofrio said he has no intention of giving
up acting to go behind the camera full-time.
"Everything about acting still excites me!" said the
actor, who played Welles in Tim Burton’s 1994 film, "Ed
Wood."
"The storytelling. That’s what’s exciting about it; the
storytelling part. To help tell a story whether you are in a
film for five minutes or two hours, I don’t care. To help tell
a story is a cool thing. That’s why I became an actor."
"Thumbsucker" opens in New York and Los Angeles
on Sept. 16. The season premiere of "Law & Order: Criminal
Intent" will be aired Sept. 25 on NBC.
