'Get Low' is high point for actors, filmmaker

"Get Low" would represent a high point in many a show-business career.

After all, the 1930s-era fable features some pretty well-known — if supposedly "past their prime" — stars. They include 70-something Robert Duvall, 60-something Sissy Spacek and 50-something Bill Murray.

And for Spacek, making the drama was "both an honor and a thrill." She had clear affection in her voice as she talked about working with co-stars "Bobby (Duvall)" and "Billy (Murray)."

"I would have been happy just to share the screen with one of these wonderful gentlemen, but being there with both of them was ridiculously good luck."

But Duvall insisted that Spacek was just being "modest."

"She's a pro's pro and a real sweetheart. We're the ones who lucked out by having her around to make us look better," he added with a wink.

The three actors all spoke with the Deseret News in brief interviews at the film's red-carpet premiere during the 2010 Sundance Film Festival.

Duvall stars as Felix Bush, a hermit who wants to pay for his funeral — and an accompanying "funeral party" — while he is still alive. Murray plays Frank Quinn, a local funeral director who helps Felix stage the "wake." Spacek co-stars as Mattie Darrow, one of the reclusive Bush's longtime friends.

Filmmaker Aaron Schneider won an Oscar in 2004 for the short film "Two Soldiers." But the cinematographer-turned-director said that "paled in comparison" to his feature filmmaking debut.

What he called "dream casting" certainly helped make the experience even better.

"Obviously, when you read a script, you see certain people in certain roles, or at least hear their voices," he said. "We were lucky enough that we got nearly everyone we were trying to land for the movie."

(Schneider was also in Salt Lake City for "Get Low's" U.S. debut and gave a brief interview.)

Fortunately, Duvall was keen to play Bush, a character that he said "really spoke" to him.

"And that's a good thing, because my character doesn't talk a whole lot in the movie," he chuckled.

"Really, I enjoy quiet character moments, and playing a guy who doesn't like to talk was an interesting challenge for me."

And besides, that meant more lines of dialogue could go to Murray, who is "as cynical as he is shrewd."