From Dr. Malcolm in the Jurassic saga to the Wizard of Oz in the recently released Wicked, directed by Jon M. Chu, through his most delicate and precise works alongside Robert Altman, Wes Anderson, David Cronenberg, or Fernando Trueba, every character of this tall and always witty actor has managed to never go unnoticed. Jeff Goldblum (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 1952) is the guarantee for any blockbuster that not all is lost, that no matter how stupid the script may be, at least a couple of lines are safe. His. His new movie turns him into the most powerful of wizards and also the most deceitful; the most charming and the most harmful. Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande sing, and Goldblum keeps up with them. And he does so right after singing his own song in which he defines himself as a (wizard) sentimental man.
Are you considered a sentimental type? Yes, definitely, I am a sentimental man. Perhaps I should ask my two sons and my wife first, but I don't think they would disagree. If we stick to the movie, all I can say is that I am very proud to be able to sing the songs composed by Stephen Schwartz.
In addition to singing that song, your character utters a definitive phrase: "To keep people together, you have to invent an enemy." It even serves as a summary of the times we live in...
Undoubtedly. But I sincerely believe it is a constant in human history. From the beginning, there have been people in positions of authority who abuse their power. And power inevitably corrupts. However, the twist that Gregory Maguire's novels give to the story of Oz allows us to see everything from a completely new angle. As I see it, the wizard is good, but people are convinced he has extraordinary powers. Let's say it's the pressure to do what is expected of him that corrupts him and turns him into a liar... with a good heart, but with extraordinary power. A good man with a lot of power can become the worst nightmare.
I was actually thinking about the current obsession of certain politicians to point to immigration, for example, as the root of all evils.
Yes, that's true. The temptation of the powerful is always to demonize a group of people and make them scapegoats. In the movie, it's the animals who are targeted, but, of course, it's just a metaphor. On the other hand, it's also a good opportunity to bring up the issue of cruelty to animals, which is obviously a very current issue. I imagine it is the responsibility of films, all films, including those designed for pure entertainment like this one, to make us reflect a little.
Your character is a great liar. What do you think of the significant role that so-called alternative facts, in other words, lies, have acquired today?
Yes, lies always work in one direction. Their goal is to galvanize faith and try to unite people. But it's not the right path. Think about the immigration issue I mentioned earlier. In truth, we are all immigrants, strangers, to ourselves and to the people we consider our own. That is freedom. On the other hand, we are all related and inhabitants of the same planet. In terms of DNA, we have more things that unite us than separate us. Making immigration a problem is undoubtedly one of those self-serving lies.
Another argument is the deceptive nature of appearances. Have you met many people in your life who were actually the opposite of what they seemed?
Definitely. The key is still what my teacher taught me when I was very young: keep your eyes open and strive to be honest with yourself.
And how are the new generations of performers compared to yours?
Better. When you see Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande perform with that talent and professionalism, you have to admit that they are better.
On the other hand, it doesn't seem like you have a problem with special effects. I think of the Jurassic saga and the display of Wicked...
I'm not an expert on the subject. What interests me is the emotion they can convey. Jon M. Chou in this movie blends all the digital creation with real sets. The film was a bit of a return to old Hollywood movies. To give you an idea, nine million tulips were planted... The effect is similar to what Wes Anderson achieves in his films.
What relationship do you have with the old classic by Victor Fleming?
It fascinates me. Since I was a child, I have watched The Wizard of Oz once a year. It was released in 1939, but its true popularity came in the 50s, the decade I was born. I have shown it to my seven and nine-year-old children even though, in truth, it can be considered a horror movie. It is a beautiful film that has influenced master David Lynch in movies like Mulholland Drive and Wild at Heart... The Wizard of Oz is the closest thing to a dream, to a sweet nightmare.
Speaking of dreams, what memories do you have of your film with Trueba The Mad Monkey's Dream? It is an honor for me to be his friend. I met him again when I filmed with Bayona Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom. And I have collaborated with him again in the animated film They Shot the Piano Player. He is not only a fantastic director, but also an intelligent, sensitive person with talent and an admirable and powerful political conviction.