-
The Maine Edge: What was your initial reaction after you finished reading the script for “The Perfection?”
Weber: I thought “Holy cow!” (laughs) because it is a real roller coaster ride. That’s a hackneyed metaphor, but it is. You get on but you can’t quite see where the dips and turns are, but it’s beautifully done. This is not just a terrifying film – although there are moments of real terror. It’s a psychological thriller with a story about abandonment. It’s about family. It’s very jarring and beautifully written and directed by Richard Shephard. It has great acting and great locations. It’s a fun movie but it’s not for the faint of heart.
The Maine Edge: How did you approach your character Anton?
Weber: Anton is the founder and director of a highbrow, internationally respected music academy and he fosters and nurtures great musicians – in this case, amazing cellists played by Allison Williams and Logan Browning. Those two students come back to the music academy that I run with my wife Paloma, played by Alaina Huffman. They try to reclaim bits of their lost past. In doing so, they unearth a lot of these very challenging truths that they and the audience discover at the same time. It’s very compelling. As the viewer, you’re taken down an alley or into a dark cave and you’re not sure how it’s going to turn out.
It’s not predictable, but to the movie’s credit, it has a linear story that gets you sucked in so that you might not notice things that are coming. It’s a smart film that actually takes its audience into consideration.
The Maine Edge: Netflix is laying out some huge money for original content, including films like this. The viewing landscape has been completely altered in just a few short years. What do you think of that?
Weber: I like the fact that Netflix – and other venues – have so much respect for content. People have so many more viewing choices and options these days.
The Maine Edge: Is that a double-edged sword? There are so many more movies and shows available but they’re all competing to find an audience.
Weber: I guess I miss a bit of the old methods of viewing because more people assembled in one place which was more a communal experience. Films used to be in theaters for a much longer period of time than they are now and that can be frustrating. When the movie “Vice” came out last year, I couldn’t see it right away for some reason. When I went to see it a week later it was already out of the theater. It was frustrating but that’s the gap that Netflix fills. In a way, this is definitely better than a traditional theatrical release because everybody can see it whenever they want.
The Maine Edge: A lot of us met you as Brian Hackett on “Wings” (1990-1997). It was appointment television for many viewers. The writing was solid; the cast and characters were great. Do you look back on those years with fondness?
Weber: Absolutely. It was a career highlight. Personally and professionally, “Wings” was a perfect environment to learn and really hone certain techniques. Even though we had a great time doing it, it was almost subliminal how educational it was. I got to meet and work with some very lovely people in front of the camera and behind. You reach a certain point in your life when you feel very grateful that you met so many nice people and had such a great time doing it.
The Maine Edge: Has there any discussion of a reboot or updated version of “Wings?” I think fans of the show would really love to check in again with Brian, Joe, Helen, Lowell and the rest of the characters.
Weber: To be perfectly honest, there has been no serious discussion about that. “Wings” was on for such a long time and was so reliable as a show but it didn’t have that sexy or edgy element that other shows had during that time like “Friends,” “Cheers” and “Frasier.”
I think the show has withstood the test of time, but I don’t know that people would be excited about having it come back. By “people,” I’m not talking about fans of the show; I’m talking about people who are in it for business purposes. Money is the bottom line and I’m not sure that they think there’s money to be made with “Wings.” I would disagree. I think there is an audience for it and I thank you for your kind words about it. I happen to agree. It was a really good show and the writing was fantastic.
