The life of Jessica Chastain seems impossibly glamorous. One of Hollywood's leading actresses, she's also married into Italian aristocracy.
But for her latest role, the Oscar winner prepared by working as a carer to understand her character.
"I really studied her and thought about her situation," she says. "I thought about the money she would make; where and how she lived. But it never felt like research.
"Working at the day centre, I was helping residents on and off the bus and making them lunch, so it felt like living the character rather than preparing for a role." Jessica's new film Memory tells the story of Sylvia, a social worker whose life is changed by meeting Saul (Peter Sarsgaard), who has early onset dementia, at a school reunion.
A friendship develops as alcoholic Sylvia tries to forget her past while Saul attempts to remember his.
"Memory is a very low-budget, independent film," Jessica says. "We had to do whatever we could to save money; I shopped for my wardrobe at Walmart and did my own hair.
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
THROWING IT BACK TO THE 1990S 'VOGUE' ERA OF THE SUPERMODEL
KATE MOSS LEADS FAMOUS FACES REFLECTING ON FASHION HEYDAY
FORMER 'MADE IN CHELSEA' STAR FRAN NEWMAN-YOUNG
DAZZLES IN BESPOKE WEDDING GOWN AS SHE TIES THE KNOT IN STYLE IN MAJORCA
LENDING SUPPORT TO CHILDREN'S HOSPICE PRINCESSES BEATRICE AND EUGENIE
BRING LIGHT INTO LITTLE ONES' LIVES AS THEY PLANT A SYMBOL OF HOPE
ON BUOYANT FORM AFTER HIS WIFE'S GOOD NEWS THE PRINCE OF WALES
DISHES OUT THE HUGS ON VISIT FROM THE HEART
WITH AN INCREDIBLE GLIMPSE INTO FAMILY LIFE THE PRINCESS OF WALES
SHARES MESSAGE OF HOPE AS SHE LOOKS TO THE FUTURE AND BALANCING HER ROLE
IN HIGH SPIRITS AT THE BRAEMAR HIGHLAND GAMES THE KING AND QUEEN
ENJOY LAUGHS APLENTY AT A FAVOURITE EVENT BEFORE MONARCH QUIETLY MARKS TWO YEARS ON THE THRONE
AS HOLLY WILLOUGHBY RETURNS NATIONAL TELEVISION AWARDS
STARS DAZZLE ON NIGHT OF GLAMOUR AND GONGS
CREATING A NEW SISTER ACT ELIZABETH OLSEN
ON CO-STARRING WITH NATASHA LYONNE AND CARRIE COON
MAKING HISTORY AT STARSTUDDED EVENT IN NEW YORK TAYLOR SWIFT
SMASHES IT WITH SEVEN OF THE BEST AT THE V.M.As
KIM KARDASHIAN AND DAKOTA JOHNSONS
FASHION AND COMPASSION AT A-LIST CHARITY EVENT