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Uma Thurman Recalls Brutally Blunt Advice She Got From Famous Actor Between Takes
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Uma Thurman recalled a harshly educational liaison with “Dangerous Liaisons” costar Glenn Close between takes. (Watch the video below.) In a career retrospective on “The Drew Barrymore Show” this week, Thurman said she felt like a novice and “bad actress” among “consummate” thespians in director Stephen Frears’ 1988 film. Thurman, who played the naive Cecile de Volanges in the period drama, said she was trying to “create emotion” and “to work through my shame” while thinking to herself, “I know I’m not good at this and I’m trying so hard.” Finally she decided to confess her nervousness to Close, who played her conniving mentor Marquise de Merteuil. “So I said, ’Do you have any advice?” Thurman remembered. “And she looked at me in her beautiful outfit and she said, ‘Try less hard.’” Thurman delivered her impression in an imperious, no-nonsense voice and then cracked up at the memory. “And I was like, ‘She’s telling me the truth.’” Thurman said. Thurman would later earn an Oscar nomination for “Pulp Fiction” and now stars in the ballerina thriller “Pretty Lethal.” Fast-forward to 3:25 for Thurman’s flop-sweat fear: By entering your email and clicking Sign Up, you're agreeing to let us send you customized marketing messages about us and our advertising partners. You are also agreeing to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.