Glenn Close Admits She Had No Idea How to Play a White Woman Living in a Black Community in Her New Film The Deliverance
Academy Award-nominated actress Glenn Close has confessed that she had no clue how to portray a white woman who has spent her life in a black community in her latest film, The Deliverance. The Netflix horror movie tells the story of a family battling a demon in a haunted house.
Close plays the role of Alberta, a devout Christian and mother of Andra Day’s character, Ebony. Alberta has a complex past, having dated only black men throughout her life and having a black daughter. Close revealed that she was intrigued by the character and wanted to do her justice, especially since she had no personal experience to draw from.
The Deliverance marks a significant departure from Close’s usual typecast, as she has made it a rule to never repeat herself in her acting career. She explained that she would have gotten bored if she had stuck to the same type of roles and wanted to challenge herself with this new character.
The film also stars Mo’Nique, who has a history of feuding with Lee Daniels, but the two have since reconciled. Mo’Nique plays the role of Cynthia, a social worker assigned to Ebony’s case, who could potentially take her children away from her.
Close described her character as a woman who has been abused and has become an abuser herself. She has found God in a very real way and hopes that her daughter will be able to clean up her act as well. Andra Day, who plays Ebony, praised Close’s performance, saying that she was legendary and had been doing it at the highest level for a long time.
The two actresses formed a deep bond while playing characters who butt heads on screen. Andra explained that the tension between their characters was based on their ultimate love for each other, but life has been hard for them.
The Deliverance is a stunning turnaround for Mo’Nique, who carried on a public feud with Lee Daniels for over a decade before they reconciled. The film marks a new chapter in their professional relationship.
Glenn Close has been nominated for eight acting Oscars but has never won. Andra Day received a best actress Oscar nod for Lee Daniels’ 2021 film The United States vs. Billie Holiday, but lost to Frances McDormand for Nomadland. Mo’Nique is the only Oscar winner in the cast of The Deliverance, having taken home best supporting actress in 2010 for Lee’s acclaimed drama Precious.