Original-Cin Q&A: Micheál Richardson talks about filming with his dad Liam Neeson, in a movie that evokes his mom's death
Made in Italy is a poignant dramedy written and directed by James D'Arcy. It stars Liam Neeson and his real-life son Micheál Richardson as an estranged father and son confronting their past while working to sell their run-down Tuscan villa left to Neeson’s character by his late wife.
What makes it even more touching is that Made in Italy, resonates in a way to the two actors’ real lives. Actress Natasha Richardson, Liam’s wife and Micheál’s mom, died in a skiing accident in 2009 when Micheál was only 13.
Making this film was not only a cathartic experience for the now 25-year-old actor, but a bonding experience for him and for his father.
Micheál Richardson and dad Liam Neeson bond in a scene from Made In Italy
Bonnie Laufer spoke with Micheál Richardson from his home in New York about the experience.
Made in Italy opens Aug. 7 in select theaters, drive-ins, and video on demand.
ORIGINAL-CIN: This is not just a beautiful movie, but your performance was, at times, heart wrenching. It couldn't have been easy for you, and I know that your dad was the one that gave you the script. What was your initial reaction to that?
MICHEAL RICHARDSON: “I thought it was a calling of sorts. I knew there were going to be painful and emotional moments. But I found the script so special and important and it did feel like Mom, in some way or other, made this happen.
“This may sound strange, but It felt almost Holy in a way. “
OC: To have the opportunity to work so closely with your dad, but also to have that time with him in Italy, seems like a gift.
RICHARDSON: “It truly was. We are close friends, and being able to just walk around Italy and explore with him was fantastic.
“We filmed on location and we would go to neighbouring small beautiful towns. So between shots, we would walk around these old towns and get a little gelato. So it's an experience that was great.”
OC: Over the years I have had the opportunity to not only interview your dad, but I also spoke with your mom a few times. The first time I ever met her was for The Parent Trap, and when I spoke with her I thought, ‘Wow, I don't think she was acting at all in this film.’ This is the type of mom I think she really was.
RICHARDSON: “You're so right, that is exactly who she was. It is one of my favorite films of hers. And I'm so grateful to have that, because, when I see it on TV and I watch it, there is Mom on that screen.
“Especially when Lindsay (Lohan)'s character, who is supposed to be the English daughter, is actually the American and meets her mom for the first time. They go out to the dress shop and they have a lovely little day in London. That was her. My mom was always like, ‘Let's go. Let's get up. Let's go on an adventure,’ and just so motherly in that sense. That's her, you know, and I'm so lucky to have had the time I did with her.”
OC: There are so many lovely moments in the film. There's one that I love because you're sitting across from Liam and you're teaching him about apps as if he doesn't know how to use an app on the phone. I'm sure that over your lifetime he's given you so much great advice, but what's the best advice you've given your dad?
RICHARDSON: (Laughs) “Well, it ranges from how to use the TV and which remote he should use. It's really stuff like that. In terms of acting he certainly doesn’t need any tips from me, but when it comes to technology, I'm there to help out.”
OC: You’ve been in a few films, but this one is your feature debut. Given the acting lineage on both sides of your family, was it inevitable that you were going to be an actor?
RICHARDSON: “Growing up it didn't seem that way. It’s all been pretty recent to be honest with you.
“It wasn’t until I fully discovered the art, and continued to discover and enjoy it, that it became inevitable and I realized that this is what I want to do. It wasn’t until a few years ago that I really figured out the scope of my heritage, where I come from and my family’s legacy that lit a fire under me.
“I wanted and needed to take it seriously and give 100 percent of myself. So no, growing up, it wasn't inevitable. But growing into my adult self it was.”
OC: What was the toughest scene for you to shoot in this movie?
RICHARDSON: “Phew, there were many.”
OC: There is one that stood out for me, where you're talking about not being able to grieve for your mom.
RICHARDSON: “That was, I would say, pretty tough. Not just in terms of the emotions, but it being my first real film and I wanted it to be so real.
“Obviously you do multiple takes and I think actors can sometimes be hard on themselves. You can walk off set and think, I didn't really give it my all. So I think that day I had a hard time with that.”