Toni Collette speaks with a rare candor, describing her experience working with Kate Winslet on her directorial debut,Goodbye June, as an “honour.” It wasn’t just the opportunity to collaborate with a celebrated actress stepping behind the camera, but to portray her onscreen sibling – a role Collette embraced with gusto.
Collette immediately praises Winslet’s approach to filmmaking, highlighting her attentiveness and professionalism. She marvels at Winslet’s ability to foster a relaxed yet focused atmosphere on set, especially remarkable for a first-time director. “You know, for a first-time director, she’s f*ing amazing!” Collette exclaims, drawing on her own extensive experience in the industry.
Having navigated countless film sets, Collette recognizes a unique advantage directors with acting backgrounds possess. They’ve witnessed both brilliance and missteps, equipping them with invaluable insight. “As an actor, if you have the passion to want to direct, I think you’re kind of in the best position, because you can pick and choose what you would utilise,” she explains.
The connection with Winslet ran deeper than just the current project. Collette had previously worked with Dame Helen Mirren, and felt a need for a “do-over” after their first collaboration. She admits she wasn’t “fully evolved” as a person during their initial encounter, a sentiment Mirren surprisingly echoed. “I am so happy to get to do this again, because I wasn’t fully formed,” Collette confessed, stunned by Mirren’s agreement – a testament to the continuous journey of personal growth.
The cast ofGoodbye Junequickly forged a genuine bond during a week of rehearsals filled with tea, scrambled eggs, and deeply personal conversations. Collette describes the group as becoming a true “family,” lamenting the inevitable end of filming. “We didn’t want [it] to end, we were like, how the hell do we have a prequel or a sequel to this?” she recalls with a laugh.
Collette’s career boasts a remarkable range, from the comedic breakthrough inMuriel’s Weddingto the chilling intensity ofHereditary. She’s consistently drawn to complex, often darker roles, and has developed strategies for navigating the emotional toll they take. She reveals a turning point withHereditary, where she proactively prioritized self-care throughout the shoot, avoiding the post-filming exhaustion she’d experienced before.
She reflects on a past tendency to push herself to extremes in pursuit of “gritty” roles, now advising younger actors against such a practice. “You don’t have to do that!” she insists, recognizing the importance of protecting one’s well-being. This leads to a discussion of method acting, a topic recently reignited in the industry, which Collette firmly rejects.
Collette explains her belief that the body responds to perceived truth, regardless of its reality. She’s mindful of this power, carefully managing her emotional and mental state during performances. “What I did realise is that at a certain point, your body doesn’t know if what you’re telling it is true or not,” she shares, offering a fascinating insight into her craft.
Looking back at her filmography, Collette expresses a fondness forIn Her Shoes, a 2005 film she feels deserved a wider audience. She praises the director, Curtis Hanson, as one of the best she’s ever worked with, lamenting the often-fumbled handling of films after their creation. “It felt like such a profound experience,” she says, highlighting the responsibility that comes with bringing a story to life.
Like Winslet, Collette harbors a desire to direct, with several projects currently in development. She’s consistently drawn to working with first-time directors, finding their fresh perspectives invigorating. “You’d be surprised at the amount of directors who do not have a vision,” she observes, emphasizing the importance of strong leadership on set.
Throughout a career spanning over three decades, Collette has cultivated a remarkable resilience, largely by maintaining a sense of detachment from the Hollywood machine. She’s unapologetically herself, admitting she simply “doesn’t listen” to negativity. “I’m from Australia, I don’t even see myself as being part of some Hollywood anything,” she states with a grounded perspective.
Her authenticity shines through in conversation, marked by warmth and genuine connection. She greets people by name and offers water, cheerfully acknowledging her lack of sleep. Collette’s ability to discern a person’s character is evident, as she accurately identifies my fondness for two of her films,Little Miss SunshineandThe Way, Way Back.
For Collette, the foundation of a successful career lies in pure intention. “I just love acting. I love working with other people and finding truths, that’s it,” she explains. She believes in following her heart and responding to projects that resonate with her, a philosophy that has guided her throughout her remarkable journey. “That’s a good thing, you can’t argue with that.”
