Rachel McAdams: ‘Disobedience’ love scene with Rachel Weisz was unlike any I’ve experienced with male actors
There’s a reason critics call the love scene between McAdams and co-star Rachel Weisz one of the best love scenes of the year.
Rachel Weisz has previously weighed in on the much-discussed “Disobedience” love scene, calling it a seminal and empowering moment for the characters played by Rachel McAdams and herself, and now McAdams is sharing her thoughts on the scene that everyone can’t stop talking. . The actress joined Weisz for a joint interview with Entertainment Weekly, in which she agreed that the love scene plays a vital role in her character development. Esti de McAdams, an Orthodox Jew, was suppressed by her religion. The love scene is the character’s first great moment of freedom.
“A lot of times you’re trying to decide whether it’s free or not. But that scene was so integral to the plot and moving the story forward,” McAdams said. “The characters need this version to open up. There was an energy in that scene that I haven’t felt in any other love scene. [with men] in my career. There was camaraderie. We both felt safe and free. All those things you love about being a woman you can be with [in the scene].”
“Disobedience” director Sebastián Lelio scripted the entire love scene so the actors knew exactly what it would look like and what shots would be included. The moment many viewers won’t forget is when Weisz spits in McAdams’ mouth, an action that made headlines after the film’s debut at the Toronto International Film Festival last year.
“I was thrilled that Sebastián did something new. It’s provocative and brings the audience into something intim@te,” McAdams said of the moment. “The makeup department tested different flavors of lubricant the night before to use as a brooch. We opted for the lychee flavor!
McAdams said the love scene was filmed on a closed set. Although he was aware at first of everyone in the room “who’s dressed up, holding a pole, and munching on a trail mix or whatever”, it occurred to McAdams that the love scene didn’t was just another scene they had to film, one that should be as vulnerable as any scene filmed for the movie.
“Everyone was very calm and there was such warmth in the room. It was a wonderful day,” McAdams said. “[I] realized that I was doing a scene like any other scene. They should all make you feel vulnerable, some more than others, but they should all be risky. It became another day at work, that way.
When asked if it was hard to play a lesbian character, McAdams said she never thought Esti was different in that regard.
“I knew we were telling a lesbian story and needed to focus on it, but beyond that, it’s just humans with humans,” McAdams said. “I didn’t think it was gay versus straight, only in that there was an unfair oppression of their love and their sexuality…I don’t think I focused that much on that.”
