PBS高端访谈:“绝命毒师”布莱恩·科兰斯顿通过扮演LBJ从而迈入百老汇

 　　BRYAN CRANSTON AS LBJ: This is the most important election of your lifetime. And the choices couldn’t be clearer.

　　JEFFREY BROWN: Lyndon Johnson: ambitious, impatient, tortured and troubled in a million different ways…all captured by actor Bryan Cranston.

　　BRYAN CRANSTON AS LBJ: ….him and the rest of his Harvard Blue Bloods would look down their noses at me like I was some kind of country bumpkin!

　　BRYAN CRANSTON: In three hours you see him go through a myriad¹ of emotions. It’s rare to be able to have a character of that scope. I’m grateful for it.

　　BRYAN CRANSTON AS LBJ: This ain’t about the Constitution! This is about those who got more wantin’ to hang on to what they got.

　　JEFFREY BROWN: The play, called “All the Way,” opened on Broadway in March. Written by Pulitzer-Prize-winning playwright² Robert Schenkkan, it’s a look back at the year 1964: President Johnson’s first year in office after the assassination³ of John F. Kennedy. A tumultuous time for the presidency⁴ and the entire nation.

　　BRYAN CRANSTON AS LBJ: We got people in this country living in unbelievable poverty. I know, I grew up like that in the Hill Country.

　　JEFFREY BROWN: I saw you last night, and I saw this character, you know, neck out, shoulders up.

　　BRYAN CRANSTON: That was my version of LBJ. I mean, it really is a version of him. Because you don’t wanna try to take on the character specifically in the sense that – to do an impersonation. I just want to get the sense of who he is. And allow that character to just be absorbed into me, you know. And so I’m able to then let him loose onstage.

　　CLIP/BREAKING BAD: The methylamine keeps flowing no matter what.

　　JEFFREY BROWN: Now 58, Cranston of course, is best-known for his role on the hit AMC drama, “Breaking Bad.” He grew up in Los Angeles. His parents were both actors… but he first thought about becoming a cop. He started taking acting⁵ classes in his twenties, and soon began landing commercials…

　　CLIP/COMMERCIAL: Now you can relieve inflamed⁶ hemmorhoidal tissue with the oxygen action of Prepration H.

　　JEFFREY BROWN: And small roles on TV.

　　CLIP/MATLOCK: Mr. Matlock, I don’t have much money.

　　JEFFREY BROWN: He played a dentist with an off-color sense of humor in “Seinfeld.”

　　His nearly-seven-year stint⁷ on “Malcolm in the Middle” as the kooky father increased his profile.

　　But it was the wildly-praised and popular show “Breaking Bad” that finally made Cranston a major star.

　　CLIP/BREAKING BAD: – Say my name.

　　JEFFREY BROWN: Before the show ended its six-year run last September, Cranston won three Emmys for his role as Walter White, a chemistry teacher turned meth cook and violent drug lord.

　　CLIP/BREAKING BAD: I am not in danger, Skyler. I am the danger.

　　JEFFREY BROWN: Being– so identified with one character, that can be a double-edged sword, can’t it, in terms of–

　　BRYAN CRANSTON: Yeah.

　　JEFFREY BROWN: Sort of narrow casting you, everybody sees you as that one character.

　　BRYAN CRANSTON: Well, it can if you succumb⁸ to that kind of, you know, easy out.

　　When Malcolm in the Middle ended after seven years I was offered two pilots for TV that were fun goofy dads. And of course I turned them down. But it was a surprising to those people who offered it. Because they felt I was perfect for it.

　　And I went, “I’m not going to help you put me in a box.”

　　BRYAN CRANSTON AS LBJ: Now, where do you suppose this came from?

　　JEFFREY BROWN: That’s why Cranston chose this latest role — it’s his first time on Broadway — and a chance to take on a multi-dimensional character caught up in the tide of history.

　　Cranston said he prepared for the role by visiting Johnson’s presidential library in Austin and reading from the many books written on him.

　　He also listened to some of the former president’s recorded phone conversations.

　　LYNDON B. JOHNSON (recording): Now you and I are buddies⁹ now, and you understand politics and I do too, and I’m telling you that we’re working with the Republicans up there 100%.

　　ALBERT THOMAS (recording): Well, I’m on your side.

　　LYNDON B. JOHNSON (recording): Well alright, well you just don’t ever agree that’s a good clause, ‘cause you know goddamn well it ain’t.

　　BRYAN CRANSTON AS LBJ: I’m gonna resign. Let somebody else deal with it.

　　LADY BIRD JOHNSON: No, you are not.

　　BRYAN CRANSTON AS LBJ: Yes, I am.

　　LADY BIRD JOHNSON: No, you are not going to resign.

　　BRYAN CRANSTON: You never knew which LBJ you were going to get when you walked into the Oval Office that day.

　　BRYAN CRANSTON AS LBJ: But god, did I love those kids of mine.

　　BRYAN CRANSTON: You just didn’t know. He could be high. He could be low. He could be angry. He could be happy. You know, and you had to just deal with it.

　　BRYAN CRANSTON AS LBJ: What you think of this civil rights bill of mine?

　　JEFFREY BROWN: Much of the play focuses on the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 — part of Johnson’s legacy¹⁰ of legislative¹¹ achievement that’s being remembered and celebrated¹² now, 50 years later…and before he was worn down and, for many, tarnished¹³ by the Vietnam War.

　　JEFFREY BROWN: Do you feel yourself part of that looking back at the legacy and therefore some responsibility to– to telling that history?

　　BRYAN CRANSTON: Well, there’s a certain amount of ownership that happens when you– when you take on a character. You absorb as much source material as you possibly can. It’s like you’re making a bouquet¹⁴. You’re taking bits and pieces from each material that resonate with you. And you’re crafting your own LBJ or whomever that character would be.

　　JEFFREY BROWN: That resonates with you in some way.

　　BRYAN CRANSTON: Yeah.

　　JEFFREY BROWN: What does that mean?

　　BRYAN CRANSTON: Well, knowing that I physically¹⁵ have to be up on that stage and presenting this text, as it were– you– you take bits and pieces of– of information that makes sense to you. That– that make you realize, “Oh, there’s interesting things.”

　　For instance, in– I don’t even know where I read it. But– he had a standing¹⁶ appointment to get a massage¹⁷ every night at the White House. He called it a rubdown. He’d get himself a rubdown. And that informed a couple of things. I said, “I– he must have been tightly wound.” And so—I– I gave him– a back issue– in the play.

　　JEFFREY BROWN: Indeed, the physical transformation¹⁸ Cranston goes through is striking: back bent¹⁹, shoulders hunched²⁰, face scrunched²¹, as Johnson cajoles, sweet-talks and threatens legislators to get his way: the famous “Johnson treatment” — as here with his future vice²² president, Hubert Humphrey.

　　BRYAN CRANSTON AS LBJ: This is about votes! That’s the problem with you liberals . You don’t know how to fight. You wanta get something done in the real world, Hubert, you’re gonna have to get your hands wet. You call yourself the leader of the Liberal wing of the Democratic Party? Then show me some goddamn leadership!

　　JEFFREY BROWN: And you’re doin’ that, you know, towering o– lookin’ down, is that fun to do?

　　BRYAN CRANSTON: It’s a lotta fun to do.

　　JEFFREY BROWN: Is it?

　　BRYAN CRANSTON: Sure. Anytime a man could– boastfully be intimidating²³, you know, that’s– that’s fun to do.

　　BRYAN CRANSTON: Well, I’ll lean into you a little bit now– I say, “Now–” First time I’d say somethin’ like, “How’s your wife?” And I would– I would remember her name.

　　JEFFREY BROWN: That– that’s right.

　　BRYAN CRANSTON: ”I’d say, how is she—she doin’ fine? She’s such a pretty lady. You’re a lucky, lucky man.” And I’d get you to go–

　　JEFFREY BROWN: I’m smiling, I’m happy.

　　BRYAN CRANSTON: Now look! Now we need to be able to get this done now. Don’t disappoint me. And we– you know, and all of a sudden–

　　JEFFREY BROWN: And I’m saying, “Yes, sir, yes, sir,” about anything.

　　BRYAN CRANSTON: Because I hook you in. He was uncanny with his political savvy²⁴.

　　JEFFREY BROWN: Cranston says he’s grateful for the stardom that now gives him the ability to pick and choose his roles … and the money to live well.

　　But, he also comes off as very un-LBJ or Walter White-like – an un-tortured soul who is happy to have built a life-long career doing exactly what he wants.

　　JEFFREY BROWN: Did you have times along the way where you thought maybe this isn’t gonna happen the way I had hoped?

　　BRYAN CRANSTON: No.

　　JEFFREY BROWN: You didn’t?

　　BRYAN CRANSTON: No, because my goals weren’t to be a star. It’s still not. My goal was not to be famous.

　　By the time I was 25, I started working exclusively as an actor. And I’m 58 now. And that’s all I’ve done since I was 25 years old. And that’s my proudest moment is that I can say that I’m a working actor. I make my living as an actor. And that’s it. Now whatever happens, happens.

　　BRYAN CRANSTON AS LBJ: A march into a bright future. Or a retreat into a dark past.

　　JEFFREY BROWN: What happens next for Bryan Cranston? Well, “All the Way” runs through the end of June. He’s writing a memoir²⁵, due out next year. And he plays a scientist in the new movie “Godzilla.” That opens May 16.

　　BRYAN CRANSTON AS LBJ: God bless you!

1 myriad   

adj.无数的；n.无数，极大数量

参考例句：

• They offered no solution for all our myriad problems.对于我们数不清的问题他们束手无策。
• I had three weeks to make a myriad of arrangements.我花了三个星期做大量准备工作。

2 playwright   

n.剧作家，编写剧本的人

参考例句：

• Gwyn Thomas was a famous playwright.格温·托马斯是著名的剧作家。
• The playwright was slaughtered by the press.这位剧作家受到新闻界的无情批判。

3 assassination   

n.暗杀；暗杀事件

参考例句：

• The assassination of the president brought matters to a head.总统遭暗杀使事态到了严重关头。
• Lincoln's assassination in 1865 shocked the whole nation.1865年，林肯遇刺事件震惊全美国。

4 presidency   

n.总统(校长，总经理)的职位(任期)

参考例句：

• Roosevelt was elected four times to the presidency of the United States.罗斯福连续当选四届美国总统。
• Two candidates are emerging as contestants for the presidency.两位候选人最终成为总统职位竞争者。

5 acting   

n.演戏，行为，假装；adj.代理的，临时的，演出用的

参考例句：

• Ignore her,she's just acting.别理她，她只是假装的。
• During the seventies,her acting career was in eclipse.在七十年代，她的表演生涯黯然失色。

6 inflamed   

adj.发炎的，红肿的v.（使）变红，发怒，过热( inflame的过去式和过去分词 )

参考例句：

• His comments have inflamed teachers all over the country. 他的评论激怒了全国教师。
• Her joints are severely inflamed. 她的关节严重发炎。 来自《简明英汉词典》

7 stint   

v.节省，限制，停止；n.舍不得化，节约，限制；连续不断的一段时间从事某件事

参考例句：

• He lavished money on his children without stint.他在孩子们身上花钱毫不吝惜。
• We hope that you will not stint your criticism.我们希望您不吝指教。

8 succumb   

v.屈服，屈从；死

参考例句：

• They will never succumb to the enemies.他们决不向敌人屈服。
• Will business leaders succumb to these ideas?商业领袖们会被这些观点折服吗？

9 buddies   

n.密友( buddy的名词复数 )；同伴；弟兄；（用于称呼男子，常带怒气）家伙v.（如密友、战友、伙伴、弟兄般）交往( buddy的第三人称单数 )；做朋友；亲近（…）；伴护艾滋病人

参考例句：

• We became great buddies. 我们成了非常好的朋友。 来自辞典例句
• The two of them have become great buddies. 他们俩成了要好的朋友。 来自辞典例句

10 legacy   

n.遗产，遗赠；先人(或过去)留下的东西

参考例句：

• They are the most precious cultural legacy our forefathers left.它们是我们祖先留下来的最宝贵的文化遗产。
• He thinks the legacy is a gift from the Gods.他认为这笔遗产是天赐之物。

11 legislative   

n.立法机构，立法权；adj.立法的，有立法权的

参考例句：

• Congress is the legislative branch of the U.S. government.国会是美国政府的立法部门。
• Today's hearing was just the first step in the legislative process.今天的听证会只是展开立法程序的第一步。

12 celebrated   

adj.有名的，声誉卓著的

参考例句：

• He was soon one of the most celebrated young painters in England.不久他就成了英格兰最负盛名的年轻画家之一。
• The celebrated violinist was mobbed by the audience.观众团团围住了这位著名的小提琴演奏家。

13 tarnished   

（通常指金属）（使）失去光泽，（使）变灰暗( tarnish的过去式和过去分词 )； 玷污，败坏

参考例句：

• The mirrors had tarnished with age. 这些镜子因年深日久而照影不清楚。
• His bad behaviour has tarnished the good name of the school. 他行为不轨，败坏了学校的声誉。

14 bouquet   

n.花束，酒香

参考例句：

• This wine has a rich bouquet.这种葡萄酒有浓郁的香气。
• Her wedding bouquet consisted of roses and ivy.她的婚礼花篮包括玫瑰和长春藤。

15 physically   

adj.物质上，体格上，身体上，按自然规律

参考例句：

• He was out of sorts physically,as well as disordered mentally.他浑身不舒服，心绪也很乱。
• Every time I think about it I feel physically sick.一想起那件事我就感到极恶心。

16 standing   

n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的

参考例句：

• After the earthquake only a few houses were left standing.地震过后只有几幢房屋还立着。
• They're standing out against any change in the law.他们坚决反对对法律做任何修改。

17 massage   

n.按摩，揉；vt.按摩，揉，美化，奉承，篡改数据

参考例句：

• He is really quite skilled in doing massage.他的按摩技术确实不错。
• Massage helps relieve the tension in one's muscles.按摩可使僵硬的肌肉松弛。

18 transformation   

n.变化；改造；转变

参考例句：

• Going to college brought about a dramatic transformation in her outlook.上大学使她的观念发生了巨大的变化。
• He was struggling to make the transformation from single man to responsible husband.他正在努力使自己由单身汉变为可靠的丈夫。

19 bent   

n.爱好，癖好；adj.弯的；决心的，一心的

参考例句：

• He was fully bent upon the project.他一心扑在这项计划上。
• We bent over backward to help them.我们尽了最大努力帮助他们。

20 hunched   

（常指因寒冷、生病或愁苦）耸肩弓身的，伏首前倾的

参考例句：

• He sat with his shoulders hunched up. 他耸起双肩坐着。
• Stephen hunched down to light a cigarette. 斯蒂芬弓着身子点燃一支烟。

21 scrunched   

v.发出喀嚓声( scrunch的过去式和过去分词 )；蜷缩；压；挤压

参考例句：

• The snow scrunched underfoot. 雪在脚下发出嘎吱嘎吱的声音。
• He scrunched up the piece of paper and threw it at me. 他把那张纸揉成一个小团，朝我扔过来。 来自《简明英汉词典》

22 vice   

n.坏事；恶习；[pl.]台钳，老虎钳；adj.副的

参考例句：

• He guarded himself against vice.他避免染上坏习惯。
• They are sunk in the depth of vice.他们堕入了罪恶的深渊。

23 intimidating   

vt.恐吓，威胁( intimidate的现在分词)

参考例句：

• They were accused of intimidating people into voting for them. 他们被控胁迫选民投他们的票。
• This kind of questioning can be very intimidating to children. 这种问话的方式可能让孩子们非常害怕。

24 savvy   

v.知道，了解；n.理解能力，机智，悟性；adj.有见识的，懂实际知识的，通情达理的

参考例句：

• She was a pretty savvy woman.她是个见过世面的漂亮女人。
• Where's your savvy?你的常识到哪里去了？

25 memoir   

n.[pl.]回忆录，自传；记事录

参考例句：

• He has just published a memoir in honour of his captain.他刚刚出了一本传记来纪念他的队长。
• In her memoir,the actress wrote about the bittersweet memories of her first love.在那个女演员的自传中，她写到了自己苦乐掺半的初恋。