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Oscar winner and current star of 'Married Life' talks about his versatility and, of course, what he's watching

By Sean Axmaker
Special to MSN Movies

From his film debut in John Sayles' "Matewan" through his Oscar-winning performance in "Adaptation." to his mesmerizing characterization of real-life CIA double agent Robert Hanssen in "Breach," Chris Cooper has been one of those bedrock actors that Hollywood is built upon, rarely the star, but always shoring up the foundation of his movies with solid performances. In his latest film, "Married Life," a deft ensemble comedy of manners about adultery and murder, he takes a rare turn in the lead. We had the opportunity to talk to him a few weeks ago about "Married Life," what he looks for in a role, and what he's been watching on DVD.

MSN Movies: What's in your DVD player?

Chris Cooper: Being a member of the Academy, they've sent me everything to look at so I've just seen scores of films. I think the very last one we saw was "Margot at the Wedding," with Nicole Kidman and Jennifer Jason Leigh. Matter of fact, I gave one of my votes for supporting actress to Jennifer Jason Leigh. I thought she was really good.

Did you become a member of the Academy when you won your Oscar for "Adaptation."?

I don't think so. I think somebody submits your name. I was a bit surprised when I became a member because I don't know how it came about.

Do you find the responsibility daunting?

I'm honest, as far as my vote goes, and that's really the only involvement I have with it. I do get all the DVDs at the end of the year. Some of them, for some reason or another, don't make it, but I get to see an awful lot of them.

Do you see more films at home than you do in the movie theaters?

Definitely. And we're also Netflix freaks. We're always watching a lot of foreign films and independent films.

Being a professional actor, is it easy to step back when you watch a movie and simply watch it as a movie?

Yeah, it is now. It is now. It wasn't so enjoyable, say, 10 years ago. I was looking at every angle and the lighting and trying to dissect the acting. I was very aware of it and I got a little irritated with myself. But I'd say in the last 10 years or so, I've been able to separate myself and I really do enjoy it again.

The character you play in "Married Life," Harry Allen, decides to kill his wife because he thinks it would be kinder than divorcing her.

Yeah, he's a little narcissistic there, a little full of himself.

And yet he's presented as a sympathetic character.

I'd say, for the most part, he is a gentle man and always has been except for his needs in this relationship, which he's not getting. He's looking for that romance and affection and his wife just has a different point of view. Add to that, and probably to his fault as well, the marriage seems to be falling flat so, like a whole lot of men, he seeks it elsewhere. But he's certainly made a terrible choice.

You've played a remarkable wealth and variety of interesting characters in your career. What do you look for when you are offered a role?

I don't like to repeat myself. I love the challenge of really going out there. I was scared to death but I loved the idea of playing Tom Smith in "Seabiscuit," a man that was 15-20 years older than me. I know the actors that Universal initially approached and they were all a good 12, 15, and a very well known actor we all know, he's 20 years older than me. But for some reason or other they passed and the role came down to me. And it was scary but, on the other hand, it was a great challenge and a lot of fun. I like to work physically and with voices and just get out of myself.

Have you ever passed on a role that you wish, in retrospect, you had accepted?

I'm sure there is. The roles of both "Adaptation." and "American Beauty," particularly "American Beauty," the more and more I read that script, it seemed so dark that I was really tempted to pass on that. I was sort of afraid of the role and my wife really gave me a great thing to remember. She said, "Well, if you're that frightened, you should do it." And I'm very grateful for that.

You are most famous for stern father figures, as in "American Beauty," or suspicious authority figures, as in "The Bourne Identity," but with John Sayles you get to play more soulful and introspective characters, as in "Matewan" and "Lone Star," and in "Silver City" he gives you a marvelous, satirical comic role.

I know, I know, and I greatly appreciate it. I'm really trying to put a moratorium on CIA, FBI and military guys. I've done about five or six of those almost back to back. And maybe it's the age that I've reached, that's where the parts are for my age group. And I've also said I'm looking for intelligent satire or comedy. I had such a great time in "Adaptation." playing John Laroche. But unfortunately I think that's just the way I'm seen in the business.

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Sean Axmaker is a film critic for the Seattle Post-Intelligencer and a DVD columnist for MSN Entertainment, and a contributing writer to GreenCine.com, Turner Classic Movies Online, and Asian Cult Cinema, among other publications