Yes. Costa-Gavras. Both professionally and personally. He's one of greatest men I've ever known..."
(Costa-Gavras directed Jack Lemmon in the 1982 film, MISSING which co-starred Sissy Spacek. A compelling drama about the disappearance of a young American journalist (Lemmon's son) during the Chilean coup.)
When I read the script, Missing, I was nuts about it. I was dying to work with him. I called Costa and I said, "Why don't you come up to the house where it's quiet and we can talk. So he came over, and all he could say is was, 'Jack, this is not a comedy...'"
I told him, 'I'm not stupid. I can read. I want to do it!' He thought about it for awhile and then said, 'Okay, but remember, Jack, this is not funny...'
That scene in the football field where I'm looking for my son. Where I'm hoping and praying he is still alive and somewhere in that crowd. Well, we had to shoot that in one take. Because it was the real thing. We just had to place some extras in certain place for storyline purposes.
After the scene, I could not face the camera for three days. It totally drained me of all my strength. That's what I great director can demand of his actors.
TELL ME HOW THE FILM, SAVE THE TIGER WAS SAVED BY WILDER?
I wasn't sure about that film, Save the Tiger, so I asked the director John Avildsen if I could run it pass Billy before the final cut. I asked Billy's charming wife, Audrey if she would like to see it, knowing, of course, Billy would be there too... So we run the film, and I'm nervous as hell... Finally, we are sitting back talking, and Billy starts is pacing the floor. Up and down. He admits he likes the film. He likes my work. But he is still pacing. I'm getting more nervous. I start making excuses about the film shortcomings by saying that we are still tinkering with the final cut. Now I can't stand it any more. Billy is still pacing. Up and down. So I asked him, do you have any suggestions... In that that wonderful accent of his, he says, "Yes. There is one thing I would do..." Now nobody has seen this scene...
In the beginning of the film, I did this bit, where I'm going to the office. I leave home, but on the way I detour and I stop to see my mistress. We never say that I had a mistress in the film - though. I have a five minute scene with her. Some of the best work I have ever done.
