Oppenheimer’s star, Cillian Murphy has proven to be an exceptional actor in a variety of roles. He is unquestionably one of Hollywood’s busiest actors, making his mark on both the big and small screens. Whether he is playing the head of the Shelby family in Peaky Blinders or using his cunning mind to battle Batman in The Dark Knight Trilogy, he gives a strong performance in every role he plays.
But do you recall his Neil Jordan-written and directed film, Breakfast on Pluto, which was released in 2005? According to reports, the actor went after Jordan in the hopes of getting the part of Patrick/Patricia ‘Kitten’ Braden in this comedy-drama film. Murphy’s portrayal of a transgender looking for love is said to be one of his standout performances.
Along with having a strong cast, Breakfast on Pluto is an uneven comedy-drama about an Irish transvestite trying to make it in London in the 1970s. Even though the movie has its share of funny moments, by the end, you might be left wondering why this was a story that needed to be told.
Cillian Murphy’s Exceptional Work In Breakfast On Pluto
Even though Oppenheimer is by far his best performance, Cillian Murphy also excelled in Peaky Blinders, A Quiet Place Part II, Sunshine, and Breakfast on Pluto. But the renowned actor has immersed himself in a novel approach to understanding transgender experiences to prepare for his iconic role in Neil Jordan’s film, Breakfast on Pluto.
The movie, which was set in 1970s Ireland, followed Patrick ‘Kitten’ Braden as she made her way through a complicated and frequently prejudiced society. The 1998 novel by Patrick McCabe with the same title served as the basis for this movie.
Murphy’s captivating performance in Breakfast on Pluto garnered praise from critics and earned him wide acclaim. He once informed The Guardian:
“I knew Neil [Jordan] was making that film and that I was the right age. People respond to direct contact from other artists and other filmmakers. I think people don’t do it enough.”
Murphy was honored with the 2007 IFTA Award for Best Actor for his portrayal of Kitten. Jordan and Patrick McCabe won the 2007 IFTA for Best Script, and Jordan also won the award for Best Director.
Some Off-Camera Revelations Of Breakfast on Pluto
Cillian Murphy has a reputation for using immersive acting techniques, and he has consistently gone beyond the call of duty to deliver sincere performances. The actor once acknowledged putting forth a significant amount of time and effort to truly comprehend his transgender role in Breakfast on Pluto. This commitment required him to work with his friends, who expertly dressed him in real transgender makeup, clothes, and accessories. He once shared:
“Well, I read the book first. I was a big fan of Patrick McCabe’s books so I loved the book. I remember some people found out how to take but I mean the theory of playing that sort of a role, was as always a huge challenge to an actor..”
The actor’s dedication apparently did not end there; Murphy reportedly went on a number of late-night clubbing adventures to get a firsthand look at the exciting world Kitten Braden lived in.
“..And for the whole transvestite part, I made a few contacts in London, where I live, and we went out a few nights, nice fellas may like dressed me up in other clubs and had a laugh, and I hung around those sweetest, most open people.”
The 47-year-old Irish actor last appeared in the Christopher Nolan movie, Oppenheimer, playing J. Robert Oppenheimer. This is Nolan and Murphy’s sixth time working together.
Watch Breakfast on Pluto, which is available to rent on Apple TV.
Source- YouTube
