MANILA, Philippines - Like many pop stars before her, Taylor Swift has been making a concerted effort to cross over into acting, beginning with appearances on TV’s CSI in 2009, and continuing with the 2010 romantic comedy Valentine’s Day. Her latest turn is a small but pivotal role in The Giver — the much-anticipated adaptation of Lowis Lowry’s young-adult novel.
The singer-actress is seen flexing her musical and acting as she plays the piano alongside co-star Jeff Bridges. The Giver takes place in the distant future where a “Utopian” society has been manufactured out of the ashes of an apocalypse. There’s no war, violence, hatred or poverty — but in order to maintain that lifestyle, citizens have sacrificed free will and the ability to feel. In the film, newcomer Brenton Thwaites plays Jonas, a teenager chosen of his generation to see what life looked like before his society’s overarching philosophy of “sameness” was installed.
While going into too much detail about Taylor’s character would be going into spoiler territory, as is revealed in the clip she plays Rosemary, the Receiver of Memories previous to Jonas.
Taylor was an 11th-hour addition to The Giver cast. Jeff said that he believed her casting was the idea of movie mogul Harvey Weinstein. “He said, ‘Well, you’re being taught piano here, and somebody who would be great for that part is Taylor.’ She came into his mind and I’m so glad she stepped on board. She had read the book and was a big fan.”
Producer Nikki Silver told the Washington Post that they had auditioned several actresses for the role, and decided on Taylor after seeing her in concert.
Taylor’s co-stars have gushed about her performance. “She’s such a brilliant songwriter and singer and a wonderful actress,” said Katie Holmes, who plays Jonas’ mother. “She’s just lovely and she’s very wise…very, very wise.” Jeff was impressed by Taylor’s professionalism in addition as well as performance. “She was exhausted (from travel when arriving on set) but she was such a pro, and so up for being involved and playing and took right to the acting. I hope she continues the acting.”
Taylor recalled reading The Giver in grade school, saying it changed her perspective of the world and her surroundings drastically.
“It celebrates all the things I hold really dear…” Taylor said, “like our history, our art, our intellect and our memories.”
So playing Rosemary, a character who does not seem to have emotions, was quite different for the 24-year-old.
“To me, emotions is such an important part of my life and now I guess my job,” she admitted. “People wouldn’t listen to my songs if they weren’t heart broken or deeply affected and hurt and jilted and sad and bitter and all those wonderful things that I write songs about.”
Produced by the Weinstein — company whose movies often win awards at the Oscars, The Giver also stars Meryl Streep and supported by Odeya Rush. It is backed up by the official soundtrack titled Ordinary Human by One Republic.
The Giver opens nationwide today.