At a Glance
- Jamie Lee Curtis admitted she didn’t understand the script for Everything Everywhere All at Once when she first read it.
- The film earned her an Academy Award, a BAFTA, and a Golden Globe for Best Supporting Actress.
- She reflected on her parents’ legacy and her own sobriety during a 60 Minutes interview.
Why it matters: The actress’s candidness about the script’s complexity and her emotional journey offers insight into the creative process behind an award-winning performance.
Jamie Lee Curtis, who won an Academy Award for her role as IRS auditor Deirdre Beaubeirdre in the 2022 film Everything Everywhere All at Once, revealed in a May interview on CBS News’ 60 Minutes that she didn’t grasp the plot when she first read the script. The actress, 67, said she “did not understand the script even a little bit” and that “not one second of it” made sense to her at the time.
Understanding the Script
When asked by 60 Minutes whether she understood the plot of the film upon receiving the script, Curtis replied:
> “Of course not,” she said. “Not one second of it. Did I understand that script? No.”
The film follows a Chinese-American immigrant laundromat owner who, while being audited by the IRS, discovers that she must connect with parallel universe versions of herself. The plot’s complexity and the multiverse concept were difficult for Curtis to follow at first. She later explained that the character of Deirdre Beaubeirdre was easier to grasp:
> “We all know Dierdre. She’s a woman who’s not loved. She’s a woman who uses her power in her job to control people because she has no love in her life,” Curtis said.
Key Elements of the Film
- Protagonist: Chinese-American laundromat owner
- Inciting Incident: IRS audit
- Central Theme: Connection across parallel universes
- Supporting Character: IRS auditor Deirdre Beaubeirdre
Award Recognition
Curtis’s portrayal of Deirdre earned her significant critical acclaim. She received:
| Award | Category | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Academy Award | Best Supporting Actress | 2023 |
| BAFTA | Best Supporting Actress | 2023 |
| Golden Globe | Best Supporting Actress – Motion Picture | 2023 |
During the Academy Awards ceremony, Curtis was seen mouthing the words “shut up” in disbelief. She later described the moment in 60 Minutes:
> “Totally, because that wasn’t supposed to happen.”
Personal Reflections
Curtis also discussed her famous parents, the late actors Tony Curtis and Janet Leigh. Both were nominated for Academy Awards during their careers but never won. In the interview, she said:
> “I think about surpassing my parents, which I have, emotionally. I’ve surpassed my parents with sobriety,” Curtis told 60 Minutes. “My mother was restricted by what the industry wanted from her and expected from her and would allow from her. My mother would have hated [2024 film] The Last Showgirl because I showed what I really looked like. I have – I don’t want to say surpassed them, but I have freedom.”
The actress’s comments highlight her journey toward personal freedom and sobriety, suggesting that her success is not only professional but also deeply personal.
Timeline of Key Events
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| 2022 | Everything Everywhere All at Once released |
| 2023 | Curtis wins Academy Award, BAFTA, Golden Globe |
| May 2024 | 60 Minutes interview with Curtis |
| 2024 | The Last Showgirl released (mentioned by Curtis) |
Takeaways
- Script Complexity: Even seasoned actors may find complex scripts challenging to grasp initially.
- Character Clarity: A clear understanding of a character can aid in delivering a compelling performance.
- Personal Growth: Curtis’s reflections on sobriety and her parents’ legacy illustrate how personal achievements can intertwine with family history.
Curtis’s openness about her creative process and personal journey provides a rare glimpse into the mind of an award-winning actress. Her experience underscores that even the most celebrated performances can begin with uncertainty and evolve into profound artistic expression.
Note: This article incorporates statements made by Jamie Lee Curtis during her May 2024 interview on CBS News’ 60 Minutes and references her award wins in 2023.
