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Feature by Jack Foley
FOR a big-budget summer blockbuster, Mr and Mrs Smith had very
modest origins.
Screenwriter, Simon Kinberg, wrote the first draft of the screenplay
for his Master's thesis at Columbia University Film School, before
developing it properly into a film.
"The idea came from my passion for Hong Kong action films,"
says Kinberg, who went on to write or co-write XXX:
State of the Union and X-Men
3.
"The Hong Kong action films were cool, sleek, sexy and
kinetic, and all that became the impetus and framework for my
original draft."
The cool, sleek, sexy ethos can easily be applied to the film's
two stars, Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie - the latter of whom stepped
in to replace Nicole Kidman.
But it was also honed by director, Doug Liman, who immediately
became enticed by the script's possibilities - especially in taking
the spy genre in yet another different direction as he had previously
done with The Bourne Identity.
"The Bourne Identity celebrated Jason Bourne's exceptional
physical abilities," says Liman. "So I was excited Mr
& Mrs Smith gave me the chance to make a film that said, 'Big
deal, so you're a highly-trained assassin. Try being married for
six years; now that's really impressive!"
That wasn't to say that the film ended up being a cosy family
drama - far from it!
Liman was similarly in awe of the balletic style of Hong Kong's
action movies and designed his own set pieces to reflect the best
work of John Woo and company.
As a result, both Pitt and Jolie were enrolled for what the filmmakers'
describe as 'spy school', which meant the two actors attended
weekly gun-training sessions with stunt co-ordinators, Mic Rodgers
and Tim Trella, as well as technical advisor, Mark Stefanich.
A former member of S.E.A.L. Team Two, as well as S.E.A.L. Team
Six (also known as the Dev Group), Stefanich facilitated the actors'
training in special operations and counter-terrorism tactics.
"Brad and I have separately appeared in action films,"
explains Jolie, "but that's a specific method of training.
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"I've never had a partner on
film before and it's very different working with one.
"We had to learn to move in tandem with fully loaded pump
shotguns, crossing each other, running into houses, breaking and
covering an area, shooting at moving targets – it was crazy,
but we learned to trust each other."
Adds Stefanich: "We started them off with the basics, including
weapons familiarization, proper stance, how to hold the weapon,
safety and use,.
"We progressed to moving through and shooting at multiple
targets."
By their very nature, covert operations are fluid and ever-changing,
so the actors were taught to rely on their wits during much of
the action.
An operative must be ready to adapt to any circumstance, and
change his or her tactics in the blink of an eye.
Pitt and Jolie were outfitted with the newest high tech weapons,
including cutting-edge, non-lethal Taser and stun guns. The actors
completed weapons indoctrination on a wide range of artillery,
from the MP5 submachine gun to sophisticated pistols with aim
points, optics and high capacity magazines.
According to Stefanich, the actors were strict about not wanting
to turn the action into fantasy.
"They learned on the firing range how difficult it really
is to become proficient with a firearm; how you can't shoot from
the hip and hit targets unless you happen to be a world champion
shooter."
What's more, they sought to perform as many of the stunts themselves
as possible, to increase the authenticity of proceedings.
"An audience wants to see the actors do their own stunts,"
says stunt co-ordinator, Simon Crane.
"They don't want to see CG. People want to go to movies
to be entertained by their favourite actors. I'd rather spend
time rehearsing, testing, making it safe for the actors and then
putting them in situations that look precarious."
By training so hard and spending so much time together off-set,
Pitt and Jolie developed the sort of chemistry that translates
effortlessly to the screen.
They work in tandem with each other and feel as though they could
be married to each other, making their story all the more believable
and enjoyable into the bargain.
It helps to create a superb fantasy adventure that rates as one
of the most shamelessly enjoyable popcorn films of the year.
The training was most definitely worth it.
Read the review
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