Sally Fieldwas filming a movie last year when something didn’t feel quite right.
The Oscar-winning actress, 76, was playing the mother of a gay man inSpoiler Alert. With a gay child of her own, she realized there was an opportunity to be even more authentic as she rehearsed the lines in the script. Luckily, one of the film’s writers had worked with Field on the 2006 drama seriesBrothers & Sistersand knew that for Field to do that Sally Field Thing — when her palpable sorrow tilts into rage, and then rage melts intoI’m taking control now!— she had to stay true to herself. So Field began reworking some of the language.
Coliena Rentmeester
For more on PEOPLE’s cover story with Sally Field, listen below to our daily podcast PEOPLE Every Day.
Field’s pursuit of her truth has also yielded important “nos” along the way. She turned downTheFirst Wives Club,with Goldie Hawn and Bette Midler, in the ’90s. She says, “Goldie really wanted me to do it. Maybe it would have been fun, but they were all so musical, and I’m not. And the movie wouldn’t have been the same.” She also said no toRomancing the Stone,with Michael Douglas, in the ’80s. “My instinct was there’s somebody else out there who’s better. And that somebody was Kathleen Turner. That long-legged Kathleen, with her husky voice. I mean, she’s still breathtakingly good. And she’s so sweet. There’s nobody else like her.”
Field says she’s also said no to similar films to her new80 For Bradymovie, in which she stars alongside Jane Fonda, Lily Tomlin and Rita Moreno. “I have avoided some other films that are groups of ladies because I have certain feelings that women are about so much more than just looking for a date or who’s my next husband.”
“I know there’s a territory that I can own, and some where I dare you to be as good as me, and then there’s some I can fake. But really, I would rather not be faking it.”
80 For Bradyis in theaters Feb. 3
For more about Field, pick up this week’s issue of PEOPLE, on newsstands Friday.
source: people.com
