Popcorn With Peter Travers Season 8 Episode 11

Ep 11. Margot Robbie Turns Con Artist in Focus

  • February 27, 2015

In season 8 episode 11 of Popcorn with Peter Travers, the focus is on actress Margot Robbie and her role as a con artist in the film "Focus." Peter Travers chats with Robbie about her preparation for the role and the challenges she faced playing a character who is both charming and deceitful.

Travers starts off by highlighting Robbie's career trajectory, from her breakout role in "The Wolf of Wall Street" to her recent turn as Harley Quinn in "Birds of Prey." He then turns to "Focus," a crime-comedy directed by Glenn Ficarra and John Requa. Robbie plays Jess, a skilled con artist who partners with veteran Nicky (Will Smith) to pull off high-stakes scams at glamorous locations like the Super Bowl in New Orleans.

Robbie describes how much research she did to get into character, including studying pickpockets and learning how to handle a cigarette like a con artist. She also talks about the extensive collaboration she had with co-star Will Smith, who helped her understand Nicky's motives and the nuances of the con artist lifestyle. "He's the ultimate professional and he made it very easy for me," she says.

Travers and Robbie discuss the challenges of playing a character who is simultaneously likable and untrustworthy. Robbie explains that Jess has a "jekyll and hyde" quality to her personality, where she can go from being genuine to being manipulative in an instant. "We wanted to keep the audience guessing," she says. "You never quite know what's going on in her head."

The interview also touches on Robbie's experience working with directors Ficarra and Requa, who previously collaborated with her on the film "Crazy, Stupid, Love." Robbie praises the directors' ability to balance humor and drama in their storytelling: "They're so good at creating these moments of levity and then switching it up on you and making it really tense."

Travers also asks Robbie about her future projects, which include a leading role in "The Suicide Squad" and a potential spinoff for her Harley Quinn character. Robbie admits that she's excited to explore different sides of Harley, but also worries about being typecast. "I don't know if I want to do Harley for the rest of my career," she says. "But I'm definitely up for doing it a few more times."

Overall, season 8 episode 11 of Popcorn with Peter Travers provides an insightful and engaging interview with Margot Robbie. Through her discussion of "Focus," Robbie reveals the challenges and rewards of playing a complex, duplicitous character on screen. Her chemistry with co-star Will Smith and her admiration for directors Ficarra and Requa add depth to her insights and showcases the collaborative nature of filmmaking.

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Description

In season 8 episode 11 of Popcorn with Peter Travers, the focus is on actress Margot Robbie and her role as a con artist in the film "Focus." Peter Travers chats with Robbie about her preparation for the role and the challenges she faced playing a character who is both charming and deceitful.

Travers starts off by highlighting Robbie's career trajectory, from her breakout role in "The Wolf of Wall Street" to her recent turn as Harley Quinn in "Birds of Prey." He then turns to "Focus," a crime-comedy directed by Glenn Ficarra and John Requa. Robbie plays Jess, a skilled con artist who partners with veteran Nicky (Will Smith) to pull off high-stakes scams at glamorous locations like the Super Bowl in New Orleans.

Robbie describes how much research she did to get into character, including studying pickpockets and learning how to handle a cigarette like a con artist. She also talks about the extensive collaboration she had with co-star Will Smith, who helped her understand Nicky's motives and the nuances of the con artist lifestyle. "He's the ultimate professional and he made it very easy for me," she says.

Travers and Robbie discuss the challenges of playing a character who is simultaneously likable and untrustworthy. Robbie explains that Jess has a "jekyll and hyde" quality to her personality, where she can go from being genuine to being manipulative in an instant. "We wanted to keep the audience guessing," she says. "You never quite know what's going on in her head."

The interview also touches on Robbie's experience working with directors Ficarra and Requa, who previously collaborated with her on the film "Crazy, Stupid, Love." Robbie praises the directors' ability to balance humor and drama in their storytelling: "They're so good at creating these moments of levity and then switching it up on you and making it really tense."

Travers also asks Robbie about her future projects, which include a leading role in "The Suicide Squad" and a potential spinoff for her Harley Quinn character. Robbie admits that she's excited to explore different sides of Harley, but also worries about being typecast. "I don't know if I want to do Harley for the rest of my career," she says. "But I'm definitely up for doing it a few more times."

Overall, season 8 episode 11 of Popcorn with Peter Travers provides an insightful and engaging interview with Margot Robbie. Through her discussion of "Focus," Robbie reveals the challenges and rewards of playing a complex, duplicitous character on screen. Her chemistry with co-star Will Smith and her admiration for directors Ficarra and Requa add depth to her insights and showcases the collaborative nature of filmmaking.

  • First Aired
    February 27, 2015
  • Language
    English
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