Early in this year, I revisited "Thumbsucker"(2005) and I appreciated how natural Swinton was as an ordinary housewife in some American suburban area. As one South Korean critic said when “I Am Love”(2009) was released in South Korea in this January, Swinton always makes us believe in her characters - whether she is a fiendish but unstable corporate lawyer, or an irresponsible alcoholic, or a Russian wife in a wealthy Italian family. I am not entirely sure about how I will react to “We Need to Talk About Kevin”(as you said, it seems to be a rather challenging film), but I will find that Swinton’s performance is interesting as usual.

Isn't she just spectacular? Real, honest intellect is so rarely displayed in the entertainment business. Tilda is a treasure. Twenty years after Orlando, I am always convinced that Tilda is speaking directly to me through her work. Stunning.

Last year, she introduced us to the dance sequence from Laurel and Hardy's "Way Out West". I watch that clip at least once a week now. It muffles the din of bad news and helps me understand that life is too important to be taken seriously.

Thank you for showcasing this extraordinary talent.

Thank you so much for posting these wonderful interviews. Tilda Swinton is such a lovely, soulful woman; it would be a dream come true if I could have a conversation with her one day :)

I told my mother about "We Need to Talk about Kevin" (in addition to giving her the link to this blog), and while I was describing the film's premise to her I realized that "Kevin" might be the scariest film in modern history that isn't from the classic horror or shock-horror genre. I got chills up my spine while telling her about Tilda's character, and I can only imagine how many parents – and especially women – will feel the same way if and when they see this movie; and after I finished telling her, my mother affirmed that the film sounded nightmarish.

Indeed. *shiver*

Thank you so much for this posting. Tilda Swinton is one of my favourite actors and I very much enjoyed hearing her conversation with you about this particular film and about the other topics you covered. I particularly enjoyed hearing her description of films as a way to enter the world of someone who can't articulate their feelings. What a wonderful, open face she has, and a frankness and generosity with her perspective.

what's the best way to get an invitation to mr. ebert? would like him to come see our short at the Chicago Int'.l Film Festival...a short he tweeted about. email me at jeffbumbershoot43@gmail.com

thanks. looking forward to see Tilda's movie.

There were glimpses of a towering persona in Clayton. The interview is interesting. I was imagining her as Hamlet! As she observes, it's the moments of change, life's magical capacity for self transformation that gives meaning to it. Ideally if we are not continualy self transforming, we are in a sense not truly alive.

I don't know if she has read the amazing book by Lionel Shriver, but listening to her speak I realise she has fully understood the entire character of Eva. That is no small feat, book or not, for such an ambivalent and complex persona.

I really can't see John C. Reilly as the father, who to me always came off as more of a jock type of man, but I can't think of a better casting decision for Eva than Tilda Swinton.

Thanks so much for this interview. I absolutely CANNOT wait for this film to come out. I loved the book, and precisely for many of the reasons that Swinton outlines above: its realism, its darkness, its fearlessness. She rocks.

Delia Lloyd
www.realdelia.com

I loved it! Thank you Tilda and Mr Ebert.
I'm seeing the movie in about two weeks from now and I can't wait!

Tilda is a stunning actress, and by this I mean she never fails to make an impression. I first encountered her in the otherwise forgettable "Constantine" as the angel Gabriel. I thought I was looking at Bowie's Thin White Duke. Thanks, Mr Ebert, for posting this interview.

Thank you so much for posting this interview. It is wonderfull that you decided to give us Tilda, with her intonation and her facial expresion instead of writing what she said. Really a wonderfull person. I love the way her eyes get little wrinkles, like she smiles, when she looks directly at you, at the camera, at the audience. I felt truly connected to her, precisely how you said at the begining of this interview. I got really enthusiastic about "We Have To Talk About Kevin" since its premiere and I will go to see it as soon as it comes in cinemas in my country.

Tilda spent about a half hour talking to my students in Cannes. They were smitten as we all are. But they also listened to every word and can still quote her comments word-for-word today. As one of them said, she was "open, lovely, honest, and insightful -- the exact opposite of her character in Kevin." I am sure she tires of all this praise, but she handles it uncommonly well. Her true calling, I think, is to teaching. She engaged directly with every student who asked a question. And she did a wonderful thing: she always rephrased their questions, making them more interesting, in effect asking them to question themselves, telling them that to learn is to question, not necessarily to answer. And then, because she is polite, she would attempt to answer, as she does with your questions, and she would end up in the most amazing and unexpected places. She is a true original. A real teacher. We are so lucky to have her in our lives and in our movies.

Mr Ebert,

First, thank you for allowing us to see the amazing Tilda Swinton talking about Kevin. I do agree with your description of her: 'Her mind is at work. [Her] blue eyes are alive. Her face mirrors emotion. She gives herself to challenging roles, and makes great movies possible'. It is the very reason why I can't wait to see the film.

I have finished reading the book about one or two months ago. It was a very tough read. The reason, I guess, is that Lionel Shriver does not merely tell a story of a criminal teenager; she goes deep into the roots of the problem. She relates it to the American society and its problems and how such issues, indirectly, influence the Americans themselves. In the book, this is expressed in details which adds much load to the already-heavy subject.

From what I heard from those who have watched the film, it seems that these details about the society's contribution in creating a criminal are not emphasised and that the focus is, more, on the personal issues of Eva's family. Whether the film, like the book, focuses on the problem as a national issue or as a personal one, I am sure than the fact that Tilda Swinton is there is enough to make me, truly, enjoy the film.

Thank you again, Mr. Ebert, for sharing your interview with Tilda Swinton with us.

Her portrayal of the biker chick at the end of Broken Flowers was stunning, and utterly courageous. She gave me a new understanding of what acting can be. How she can engage a character with her soul fully present and so highly energized -- it is awesome. I think it is only possible because she loves deeply.

Absolutely the best actress to tackle the most difficult role of the year.
Thank you for these wonderful interviews Roger.

I've always had the idea actors look much better on screen than in real life but, even though Tilda was purposely made to look rather ordinary in MICHAEL CLAYTON, she has this beautiful, stricking face and eyes.

Here's Tilda with another couple of very warm people:

http://flic.kr/p/amoBDQ

And here's another picture that fits this same description:

http://flic.kr/p/amork5

Do you know any good novels about or involving autumn?

Roger is right, Tilda Swinton is a saint. A saint of high order. I gave her my patented handshake test. I want her to be my mom in my next life. Or a past one. Maybe sideways, it doesn't matter. Clickee my namee.

This movie's going to be hard to watch for that.

"Her face mirrors emotion."

youtube.com/watch?v=J2Zajvjm4LI

I became a Tilda fan after watching her put energy and concentration into a five minute part near the end of the Tom Cruise version of Vanilla Sky.
I had never seen her before in my life.
I was impelled to go on the web and find out who this actress was.

Tilda is so impressive! Her intelligence and sensitivity and maturity as an artist is stunning. I totally enjoyed this intimate series of video interviews. What a fantastic forum you have created in that we just see her talk and express herself purely without distraction and small talk! Love her. She is so smart. It really makes you trust her and any project she is involved with. Well done! Thank you for this!

Is it true that Quentin Tarantino wanted to bestow "Old Boy" with the Palm d'or at Cannes in 2004, but Tilda Swinton told the director, "Over my dead body." As a quiet animal rights activist(I don't get into people's grilles) and committed vegan, I hope it's because the actor put a live squid in his mouth and killed it. You would swear that she was American from her performance in "The Deep End". If Todd Haynes' "I'm Not There" was about David Bowie, and not Bob Dylan, Swinton would be your "guy".

When I saw "Vanilla Sky" I really thought that Tilda was Cybil Shepherd. This was reinforced by it being Alicia Witt who greets Tom Cruise in the lobby and takes him to the office where Tilda's character works. Along the way, Alicia says something like, "She's my role model." Of course, Alicia played Cybil's daughter on her show "Cybil" a few years before. I wasn't aware of Tilda at the time -- so when I saw her I thought, "Hey, that's Cybil Shepherd." So I was surprised to later find out that it's really Tilda Swinton. I haven't seen that film in many years, but I swear she's a dead ringer for Cybil in that movie. Her voice is even the same. So was that just a coincidence? Seems kind of funny that happened, especially given that it's Alicia Witt who introduces her character in the movie.

this is not about tilda (full disclosure!) i am writing because i just finished reading your book, "life itself", and wanted somehow to let you know how much of an impact it had. i didn't know how else to reach you so am using this avenue and hope you get to read it.

thank you for being willing to share your life in all its unguardedness. that is a gift which will go on long after you finally take leave on your journey to the stars, some day long into the future.

i lived in boulder for 10 years and attended your panel on favorite books which made a great impression on me. although i'd followed your reviews for years, i had no idea what a voracious reader you were, and are. my then husband and son zealously attended your "interruptus"; while i like movies a lot, i'm more in my element immersed in a book.

i met you once, which i'm sure you don't remember (didn't appear in your book :) at the little shop called something like "world trade" that's no longer there, along with stage house, alas. we talked for a few minutes after your reading and i liked the sound of your voice. i like it still, for it resounds despite the silence.

what i like most of all is your reverence for kindness, an underappreciated commodity in the world. i take to heart your exhortation to create "joy to the world". thanks for the reminder and be well.

How lovely!

I have recently gone through a change myself, quitting a career I hated as an engineer in search of a more fulfilling life. I'm exploring the arts as I try to get know myself better. I am woefully under-educated in this arena, and therefore a newcomer to the world of film. I thank you for your writing career, Roger, and for giving me such a nice place to start my new education. I will be sure to seek out Tilda's work, now that I have a glimpse into how she sees things.

Is there a list of your essential film bibliography somewhere that I could begin to work through? Or do any other readers have suggestions?

I was upset by Tilda's comments in support of Roman Polanski when he faced extradition to the States for his child molestation charges. Besides these specific charges there have always been strong rumors Polanski had assaulted many other children in the past. But Tilda and some other Hollyweird whack-jobs thought Polanski had suffered enough. Suffered What????

As the outrage at Penn State U has now embraced the victims and not the "winning coaches" so too must Hollyweird get off its perverted high horse and support the efforts of law enforcement to bring to justice pedophiles like Polanski.