'Absolution' Exclusive Interview: Liam Neeson

Moviefone speaks with Liam Neeson about 'Absolution' and the upcoming 'The Naked Gun'. "I was a bit nervous most days because it's a genre I'm not used to."

Liam Neeson in 'Absolution'. Photo: Samuel Goldwyn Films.

Opening in theaters on November 1st is the new crime-thriller ‘Absolution’, which was directed by Hans Petter Moland (‘Cold Pursuit’) and stars Academy Award nominee Liam Neeson (‘Schindler’s List’, ‘Star Wars: Episode 1 – The Phantom Menace’, ‘Batman Begins’).

Moviefone recently had the pleasure of speaking with Liam Neeson about his work on ‘Absolution’, his first reaction to the screenplay, his character’s memory loss and relationship with his family, choosing the look for his character, and shooting on location in Boston, as well as his performance in the highly awaited upcoming remake, ‘The Naked Gun’.

Related Article: Liam Neeson is in Talks To Star in New ‘Naked Gun’ Movie

Liam Neeson in 'Absolution'. Photo: Samuel Goldwyn Films.

Moviefone: To begin with, can you talk about your first reaction to reading the screenplay, and your approach to playing a character who's suffering memory loss?

Liam Neeson: I just liked the script when Hans-Petter Molland sent it to me. I had worked with Hans before in a film called ‘Cold Pursuit' five years ago. Loved being with him. He and I get on. We're pals now I like to think. He's a very good director, and I thought this was interesting. Yes, there's certain action sequences in it, which I've done before, but he's a character who's suffering from this chronic traumatic encephalopathy, CTE, and it can be an incredibly dangerous very debilitating disease. I just thought it was interesting. This guy who was a thug, has done some nasty, horrible things in his life for money, it's his job to be a thug, but he is looking for some kind of thread of redemption. He tries to find it in his grandson and teach the grandson to stay on a road that's more appropriate for a kid to grow up into a respectful adult. I think that's essentially all he wants with his grandson. He's not religious. I don't think he's spiritual in any way, but there's just something that he needs to connect in some way with a member of his family. But I did like the script.

MF: Can you talk about your character’s difficult relationship with his father, how he’s dealing with the loss of his son, and how he’s trying to make it up to his daughter and grandson?

LN: He doesn't remember that his son died. When his daughter tells him, it's a real shock to his system. Even though this disease has taken hold. He can't remember certain things. But it was always interesting. Every day, it was interesting. Hans had got an extraordinary cast together with Yolanda Ross, Frankie Shaw, big Ron Perlman. We had a fantastic actor, Javier Molina, who played the bad guy, wonderful actor. So, it was easy in a way to be in these actor’s company. They just give you so much. So, I didn't have to dig all the time. They just present their beautiful talent to you and it's like, "Oh, thank you." It just sweeps over you, and you find yourself in a way acting better, or being more truthful in the scene, which is always a joy when it happens. With this guy, it was happening every day. So lucky, so fortunate.

(L to R) Terrence Pulliam and Liam Neeson in 'Absolution'. Photo: Samuel Goldwyn Films.

MF: Can you talk about creating the specific look of this character?

LN: Well, it would be a discussion with Hans, the director first. I saw the guy, his youthful heyday, it was in the 70s, and the mutton chops and the mustache was for me, indicative of that period. So, there wasn't any huge arguments about that look and wearing leather jackets, maybe a bit retro. I wish I had worn a pair of flared trousers. That would've been such a giveaway. I didn't. Anytime I see the film, it bugs me that I didn't have a pair of flared trousers. It's just a little thing, but it bugged me a little bit the first time I saw the film.

MF: The film takes place in Boston and the city is really a character in the movie. Does shooting on location and living in that area while filming, inform your performance in any way?

LN: I think it does regarding being there. I love the city of Boston. I don't like the traffic. Every hour of the day it was crazy, roads going all over the place. But it was a good city. Did it help me? I'm not sure, but I guess it did. I always like being away on location. I live in New York; Boston was a definite location, and we had a fantastic crew. Normally when I'm in a location, I don't go to museums, I don't go to art galleries and stuff. I just focus on what I'm there to do. It's a bit boring. It must have informed me in some way, and my character in some way. Apologies for my accent by the way, but I tried to hit the occasional word in kind of Bostonese. Extraordinary history too, Boston has. It was lovely being there, I have to say, and I'm not just saying that.

Leslie Nielsen in 'The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad!' Photo: Paramount Pictures.

MF: Finally, what can you tell us about making ‘The Naked Gun’ remake and stepping into that iconic role?

LN: It was fun because I was funny. That's why I got the part. We wrapped it about three months ago. Akiva Schaffer, who's an ex-SNL writer, is a very good director. I worked with Pamela Anderson, who's just a joy, and Danny Houston, we had a really, really good cast. I was a bit nervous most days because it's a genre I'm not used to. But we've wrapped it about three months ago, as I say, and we shall see. I think it's coming out early next August, I believe.

What is the plot of ‘Absolution’?

An aging gangster (Liam Neeson) attempts to reconnect with his children and rectify the mistakes in his past, but the criminal underworld won't loosen their grip willingly.