Samantha Morton, Self-Described Urban Survivor |
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Not an easy feat to compete onscreen with the likes of Johhny Depp and John Malkovich, in the recently released THE LIBERTINE, British-born Samantha Morton manages to hold her own quite admirably.
In THE LIBERTINE, Morton appears as Elizabeth Barry the object of John Wilmot's, the second Earl of Rochester (Johnny Depp), affections. Within this period piece set in 1670s London, Morton embodies her character with full aplomb. Once again displaying her remarkable abilities to disappear into characters, Morton astonishes film-goers with her ability to take on the role of Elizabeth Barry, the fiery, non-committal stage actress who falls prey to the charms of Earl Wilmot's scurrilous escapades.
With a diminutive frame and a relatively high-pitched voice, Morton, who in real-life has a fondness for the word "Bullocks," is often initially regarded as being flighty, tenuous and just a wee bit vulnerable. Yet, nothing could be further form the truth for, in reality, she, a self-described "urban survivor," is strong-willed, focused and committed to doing projects that ring true for her.
"I was always a speaker in class, or someone that would beat up the bullies. I was confident because of the things I believed in." stated the petite Morton who yet to turn 30-years-old, has already amassed a most impressive career portfolio.
Winning over audience-goers, critics, fellow actors and industry insiders with her ingenious and convincing performances, she has received one outstanding review after another for her risqué performances.
And, in light of the recent Academy Awards show telecast, it seems only right to acknowledge Morton's own Oscar nomination nods- one for best supporting actress (Woody Allen's jazz mockumentary, SWEET AND LOWDOWN) and the other for best actress (Jim Sheridan's Irish slice-of-life tale, IN AMERICA), an award she actually did win from the Toronto Film Critics Association.
Born in Nottingham, England in 1977, Morton's parents separated when she was just a mere three-years-old. Essentially an orphan, she ended up being shuffled around from one foster family to another.
Wanting to make it okay for young people without pedigrees or parental figures to pursue the careers of their dreams, Morton has said, "I want to prove that you don't have to come from Oxford University or RADA--and you don't have to have parents that support you--to succeed."
When asked when and how the acting bug bit her, Morton responded, "It started when I was seven or eight. In school, I had a brilliant teacher and it was the highlight of my day to write little plays with somebody or perform in front of the class. I had so much energy as a kid, as well, it was a way of keeping me occupied, my parents thought. It just went on from there; if you really enjoy something you can feel complete when you're doing it."
Coming to London more than 15 years ago with nothing more than an introduction from a drama tutor in Nottingham, she nabbed herself an agent and began to secure roles on the small screen in such English classic series as: "Jane Eyre" and "Emma."
In 1997, she broke through to the big screen with UNDER THE SKIN and, in 1999, came to the forefront in two sizable roles as Michelle, the heroin addict opposite Billy Crudup's FH character, in JESUS' SON and as Hattie, the silent muse to Sean Penn's pseudo-legendary jazz virtuoso, Emmet Ray, in SWEET AND LOWDOWN.
Next, cast by none other than Steven Spielberg in his futuristic MINORITY REPORT Morton garnered the small, yet pivotal role of 
The Libertine: Morton co-stars opposite Johnny Depp |
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Agatha, a semi-mute-clairvoyant. The blockbuster sci-fi film, which premiered in the summer of 2002, has been Morton's most mainstream film to date.
Yet, it was the pair of Indie films which came out in 2002 and 2003 that further cemented her recognition as a true dramatic contender. In MORVERN CALLAR, she played the title character, a desolate yet fantasy-driven young woman who assumes ownership of her dead boyfriend's script after his untimely demise. And, IN AMERICA, Morton as Sarah Considine is one half of a poor Irish immigrant couple, who along with their two young children, struggle to make a life for themselves in New York City's Hell Kitchen.
Not willing to sell-out, Morton known for being exceedingly choosey about the roles she accepts, is said to have actually turned down leading roles in GIRL INTERUPPTED and IRIS. Plus, it has been reported that she also almost nixed appearing in SWEET AND LOWDOWN for she was, at the time, starring in London's West End production of "Hamlet" opposite Ethan Hawke.
"You gotta do stuff that inspires you, otherwise your life's so boring, and you go home and feel a fraud. If you're going to be an actress, to me, I want to be part of a team of people that I don't only respect but I feel are trying to make a difference. If we can just change one person's point-of-view," stated Morton.
On the horizon for Morton is THE RIVER QUEEN, an epic scale historic love story depicting the fractioning forces between the British and Maori during the period British colonization of New Zealand during the 1860s. With Stephen Rea as her Irish father, Morton, trained as a medicine practitioner, is torn between her love for a soldier (Keifer Sutherland) and that of a Maori warrior whose father she nurses back to life.
Apparently not driven by money but rather by the work, Morton has been quoted as saying, "I'd earn a million-squillion quid, and then my career would be over in two years. I'd die, mentally. I haven't got a problem with studios, or cash - just appalling parts for women."
In terms of nurturing one's craft, it is often fascinating to discover the traits actors perceive to be their strengths and the ways in which they opt to approach their roles.
According to Morton, who is regarded as having an incredible emotional range, "I have an imagination I'm quite lucky to have a great one in that sense. I'm not a method actor by any means, but I really submerge myself in the emotional aspect of the role. IF the emotional truth is there, I don't tend to think too much about what I am doing."
Along with THE RIVER QUEEN, Morton has an eclectic range of film projects in development. From, EXPIRED, a comedy about a meter maid, and, FREE JIMMY, the animated film to which she lends her voice, to CONTROL, playing the wife | widow of 70s British punk musical recording artist, Ian Curtis and MISTER LONEY, providing her rendition of the infamous Marilyn Monroe; Morton, quite the in-demand actress, seems to be in position to take on those projects which interest her the most.
"Before, it used to be about my journey as an actor, just wanting to take different roles to test and challenge myself. I look at the world a bit differently now and I think about what I believe in and what messages I want to put out there."
Though perhaps not necessarily aiming for sainthood, Morton is certainly creating her own version of truth and, thus, doing her part to ensure her work has meaning...
Samantha Morton on Matchflick
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