Actors can sometimes surprise their co-stars in the most bizarre ways while shooting an intense scene. But the most crucial thing to note, with such scenes, is that both actors should know what the other would do, and to what extent.
Films that require expressing intense emotions can be psychologically challenging for the actors as they don’t just have to do it with their faces but also hit or choke their co-star to encapsulate the gravity of the scene.
One such incident happened with Titanic (1997) stars – Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet during a film that they signed on later down the road. Unlike how the two were lovebirds in the James Cameron epic, Revolutionary Road (2008) had a polar opposite premise.
With a budget of $35 million, the film wasn’t exactly a commercial undertaking. The box office collection of $76 million showed that DiCaprio and Winslet’s dramatic movie was all about the acting potential of the two stars.
Kate Winslet Wanted Leonardo DiCaprio To Choke Her
Revolutionary Road’s screenplay tested Titanic buddies to their maximum levels. Leonardo DiCaprio (Frank Wheeler) and Kate Winslet (April Wheeler), playing a married couple, desired to live the American dream. But, while trying to achieve that, they encounter certain marital challenges.
To explain what the film was about, DiCaprio and Winslet were interviewed by The Guardian prior to the release. The film had its moments of passion, anger, and even physical confrontation. Kate Winslet stunned DiCaprio by offering him to choke her.
“We were very interested to let it go and see where it went. I was like, ‘If you want to smash me up, OK!” – said Winslet during the Q&A.
She also remembered how emotional the story was as she and DiCaprio almost broke into tears for a scene but laughed instead.
Leonardo DiCaprio’s Perspective On The Choking
Before the actors found global fame through Titanic, Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet didn’t know each other. But the world has witnessed their friendship over the years and how she teared up for him when he finally won his Oscar.
The character Frank Wheeler instantly grew on DiCaprio as he discovered that the audiences would sympathize with how he is trying to deal with the frustrations of work-life balance.
About the choking, the now 48-year-old actor had an interesting perspective.
“We’re old friends and we know where we can go with each other,” he said. “She will let me strangle her until she literally passes out in the scene.”
Ever since Revolutionary Road, the two actors haven’t appeared in a film together. The film also starred David Harbour, Kathryn Hahn, and Michael Shannon in supporting roles.
Leonardo DiCaprio’s latest, directed by Martin Scorsese – Killers of the Flower Moon is set to release on October 20 on Apple TV+.
Source: The Guardian
