Veteran actor William Forsythe (“Boardwalk Empire”) chatted about starring in “The Roaring Game,” where he worked opposite Darin Brooks and Mickey Rourke.
This new film was written and directed by Tom DeNucci.
‘The Roaring Game’
The synopsis is: “The Roaring Game” is the underdog story of a down-on-his-luck janitor Rickey Rhodes (Darin Brooks) who recruits a curling team of misfits to win back the love of his life and sweep his way to glory.
On starring in “The Roaring Game,” he said, “I had a great time. I’ve worked with that team of people (that makes those films) before. I just love working on their movies!”
“It’s like an old-school style of filming. Everything that you get from being in that kind of community ends up on the screen, and that’s what I love about ‘The Roaring Game.’ It has a family vibe to it,” he elaborated.
Playing Coach in ‘The Roaring Game’
On playing his character (Coach), Forsythe said, “What makes Coach an interesting character is that he is low-end hood. He makes his living working for it… for the man.”
“There is this piece of heart in the coach. There is just something unique about him that just comes out. I mean, he’s the worst father ever,” he admitted.
“Coach goes off to jail, and yet there was that one scene before he leaves where he is trying to cram 20 years’ worth of knowledge to the kid. Then, once we get hooked up and start going on the road with the curling team and every, it has a great payoff in terms of family and everything,” he elaborated.
“Coach was such a fun character to play,” he admitted. “There were just some fabulous moments because he doesn’t care. Coach is just a wild man himself.”
Working with Oscar nominee Mickey Rourke
On working with Academy Award nominee Mickey Rourke, Forsythe said, “Mickey Rourke was great to work with too. I’ve known him for a very long time, and he is just so good in his craft.”
Working with Darin Brooks
On working with Emmy winner Darin Brooks (who plays his on-screen son Rickey Rhodes), Forsythe said, “Darin is great! I loved working with him. Darin is a complete gentleman. He has a lot of talent, and he carried the movie well.”
“I have nothing but good things to say about Darin. I hope to work with him again soon,” he added.
Lessons learned from the screenplay
On the lessons learned from “The Roaring Game” screenplay, Forsythe responded, “Well, I don’t know. It’s funny. When the guys first sent over this piece, I thought it was interesting especially with curling as a backdrop.”
“It’s a familiar story about somebody who is an underdog and goes against all odds. He steps up and does something fantastic where my character fits in. That is probably what I took away from it,” he added.
The digital age
On being an actor in the digital age, he said, “I don’t know. I have to pull it. I miss some of the most amazing things such as shooting on film and all the things that went with it.”
“I miss things,” he admitted. “One of the things I miss is when we would all gather for dailies and it would be semi uplifting, almost party atmosphere combined with this great place to make film better every day. We work together better than in the digital age. We don’t have any of that. We don’t have those kinds of things.”
“I love to feel and the look of film and I’m confused by it somewhat,” he noted. “The digital age seems to take away from the big joy.”
“I remember when a film would open on a Wednesday, and we would wait to go and see the movie, but now, you can get it in your hands at any time. I’m just not sure if it works that well for the magic,” he acknowledged.
Stage of his life
On the title of the current chapter of his life, he revealed, “Compulsion!” “I’m driven right now,” he admitted. “I feel that the best is yet to come!”
“I feel like I’m on a road right now, and that something really good is happening. I’m ready to make my own films,” he noted.
“This is something that I’ve always wanted to do, and I’ve got a good piece and got some great people backing me up. So, I’m excited as hell,” he added.
Advice for young and aspiring actors
For young and emerging actors, Forsythe said, “Keep on going! You have to try! For me, I don’t like to give too much advice, but I can say that it’s important to surround yourself with like-minded people.”
“Work extremely hard,” he underscored. “Don’t take anything for granted. Also, whenever I talk to young people I tell them not to overestimate themselves and don’t underestimate what they are doing.”
“Always play to in, always do your very best, and live small,” he added.
Success
On his definition of success, Forsythe said, “Success, for me, is just the ability to continue to do what I love so much. I love the process of the work. I don’t care about the business.”
“I don’t care about a lot of things that go along with it,” he noted. “What I care about is the fact that you get to keep on going and you get to keep doing what you love to do.”
“”Also, sometimes people surprise me when I’ll meet a fan and they’ll say something to me that is very touching… that really hits the heart,” he elaborated.
“Success is the ability to keep on going,” he added.
Closing thoughts on ‘The Roaring Game’
For fans and viewers, Forsythe concluded about the new movie, “I want people to have fun! Try to get behind these brothers, the dad, and his whole crew of misfits. Everyone is just from a different place, so I hope they enjoy it, and take this ride with us.”
