Depending on which side of the generational divide you belong, you might know Andrew Scott for his breakout role as Moriarty in Steven Moffat and Mark Gatiss’s Sherlock or as Hot Priest from Phoebe Waller-Bridge’s Fleabag. His acting prowess and charisma, in general, however, transgresses generational barriers.
The Irish actor is currently making waves for his stellar performance in All of Us Strangers, the Andrew Haigh romantic fantasy film that also stars Paul Mescal, Jamie Bell, and Claire Foy. As fans eagerly await his upcoming appearance in the Netflix adaptation of The Talented Mr. Ripley, aptly titled Ripley, it’s a perfect time to delve into the films that have profoundly influenced Scott’s life and career.
Speaking to A.Frame, Scott mentioned the early impact musicals had on him, “When I was a kid, I remember I just parked myself in front of the TV and I used to watch those big MGM musicals. I used to be obsessed with those Fred Astaire, Ginger Rogers kind of films.” But it wasn’t till he saw Mike Nichols’ Postcards from the Edge, which is written by Carrie Fischer, that he realised he really wanted to be an actor.
“I remember it really clearly. It was a very strange thing that happened before my Junior Cert, which is a tedious exam that you have to take in Ireland when you’re about 15. My mother said, ‘Do you want to go and see a film the night before the exam?’ because maybe I’d been working hard, which seems unlikely.” Scott elaborated on how he had a moment of epiphany, “We went to see that, and because I had to do this exam the next day, I remember I was like, ‘I don’t care about this exam. I want to be an actor so much.’”
He also expressed his particular love for all things Paul Thomas Anderson. Picking his 2002 absurdist romcom, Punch-Drunk Love, Scott explained how “The chemistry between Adam Sandler and Emily Watson is so completely wonderful.” Even Luca Guadagnino’s contemporary coming-of-age romance, Call Me By Your Name, made it to his list.
Scott raved about the Timothée Chalamet-starrer, “Call Me By Your Name is such a beautiful love story. It’s so atmospheric, and it’s surprising that film.” He continued echoing the thoughts of all those who fell in love with Elio, “Love is for everybody, and there’s something about the rebelliousness of that film that’s so beautiful. It made me nostalgic for something that I never really had, and it satiated something in me.”
Scott was particular to mention how the Guadagnino film was uniquely important to him, “I just thought it was so beautifully acted and beautifully directed. It was a special one that I remember going to as a full-grown adult.”
However, there were more films that had an impact on the Ripley star, of course.
Andrew Scott’s five favourite films:
- ET the Extra-Terrestrial (1982)
- The Poseidon Adventure (1972)
- Postcards from the Edge (1990)
- Punch-Drunk Love (2002)
- Call Me by Your Name (2017)
Check out the trailer for Andrew Scott’s upcoming Netflix series, Ripley, below.
