Gwyneth Paltrow Reflects on Filming Great Expectations
Gwyneth Paltrow recently spoke with her former co-star Ethan Hawke about their experiences while making the film “Great Expectations” back in 1998. Among the various intriguing topics, they discussed the controversial sex scene that Paltrow famously declined to perform.
“Remember when Alfonso pitched you the love scene?” Hawke asked, casually referring to the film’s director, Alfonso Cuaron. Paltrow responded with an incredulous, “Oh my god,” and recounted how Cuaron envisioned a scene where her character received oral sex from Hawke’s character. She vividly recalled thinking, “Oh my god, my dad is going to have a heart attack.”
Hawke humorously imitated Cuaron’s directing style, saying, “The camera will go down your abdomen, up your chest, and then towards your face as you reach ecstasy. And when you reach ecstasy, the light will explode like the sun!” The impersonation made Paltrow laugh, but she still noted, “Alfonso, you would never do that.”
Reflecting on the early stages of her career, Paltrow admitted that she was acutely aware of her father and grandfather watching her work, which made her cautious about the roles she took. “But you know, I was really curious,” she said, adding with a slight shrug, “I don’t care right now.”
Hawke praised her for how she handled the rejection back then, noting that she was assertive without being difficult. Paltrow echoed a sense of introspection, mentioning that she might have been “too cautious at the time.”
In “Great Expectations,” Hawke portrays Finn, a painter captivated by Paltrow’s character Estella. Paltrow confessed that she nearly turned down the role due to concerns over her appearance. After her initial excitement about meeting Cuaron, she admitted that there was a moment when she thought someone at the studio might not find her quite “pretty enough” for the part.
Hawke nodded, recognizing that such feelings are common in the industry. “That happens all the time,” he remarked, showing understanding of her concerns.
Paltrow concluded that while she may have struggled with self-doubt, she ultimately secured the role, saying, “I think [Cuaron] was sure it was different, but I ended up getting the role.”
