Diane Lane’s Anticipation for Her Role in ‘Feud’

Anyone who has followed Diane Lane’s remarkable career over the last few decades has their personal favorite roles: It could be the gifted American girl who falls for a Parisian boy in George Roy Hill’s “A Little Romance,” the hard-rock singer in the dystopian world of “Streets of Fire,” the cheating suburban wife of “Unfaithful,” the heartbroken author who finds a new life in Italy in “Under the Tuscan Sun” or any of the other dozens more memorable heroines she’s played.

Earlier this year, audiences were treated to Lane’s Emmy-nominated portrayal of the feisty socialite Slim Keith in FX’s series “Feud: Capote vs. the Swans.” She left a lasting impression as one of the beautiful “swans,” society women who were betrayed by Truman Capote when he exposed their secrets in his Esquire article “La Côte Basque 1965.” The actor, who also was nominated for an Emmy for her performance in 1989’s “Lonesome Dove,” recently talked about her experience:

When commenting on what sparked interest in the project, Lane expressed her admiration for the first season of “Feud” and eagerly anticipated Ryan Murphy’s follow-up. She feeling the show was a game-changer in dramatizing real-life, notorious characters. She praised the collaboration of Jon Robin Baitz, Ryan Murphy, and Gus Van Sant. Lane acknowledged an adjustment period as she transitioned to a streaming project model, different from her experiences in film.

Lane delved into Slim Keith’s memoirs to prepare for the role, finding Slim’s various life stages intriguing. She admired Slim’s humor and perspective on age-appropriate behavior, even noting Slim’s calculated omissions in her memoir following Capote’s revelations.

Recounting her favorite scenes from the show, Lane spoke warmly of each scene’s unique excellence. She particularly enjoyed the epic fashion show recreation, which transported her to an era of gloves, hats, and social decorum. Lane appreciated the authenticity brought to life by the project’s various departments, noting that this immersive environment made acting a delightful experience.

Although Slim Keith passed away in 1990, Lane did get some insight into Slim’s character from Jane Fonda, whose stepmother was a friend of Slim’s. These shared stories provided a glimpse into Slim’s world, despite not being directly usable for Lane’s portrayal.

Lane identified smoking herbal cigarettes as the toughest part of the job. As a former tobacco addict, the differing burn rates of the herbal cigarettes posed a challenge. She noted the industry’s shift away from using real tobacco on set, recognizing the health considerations for the crew.

Lane reflected on the enduring intrigue surrounding Capote and the New York “swans.” She emphasized the timeless human nature aspects of the narrative, particularly around jealousy and envy. She highlighted how Capote’s deep-seated issues from his relationship with his mother contributed to his self-destructive tendencies.

Discussing her illustrious career, Lane acknowledged the significant strides in the diversity of roles available to women today. She credited the progress to the efforts of women who came before her and recognized the ongoing evolution in telling women’s stories throughout history and into the future.

If she could offer advice to her 14-year-old self, during the time of her debut in “A Little Romance” and her cover appearance on Time magazine, Lane would encourage finding balance between gratitude and humility. She highlighted the importance of finding joy in daily life, cherishing both career moments and life as a whole.

Lane expressed gratitude and reflected on the longevity of her career, affirming that the work does get better with age. She fondly remembered working alongside Treat Williams, cherishing the joy and appreciation they shared for their work.

Source: Los Angeles Times