Interview: Martha Plimpton on Her Role in ‘Mass’
Thursday, February 3, 2022 at 11:30PM 
We’re back with another spotlight on one of the strongest films of 2021, Mass, which managed to earn exactly one nomination from BAFTA today, for Ann Dowd in the supporting actress category. Nathaniel spoke with Dowd recently and I had the chance to talk to writer-director Fran Kranz, and today we have Martha Plimpton, the fantastic stage and screen actress who plays Gail…
In our interview, Plimpton describes the approach she took to this material and a film that she describes as very cinematic despite its brief existence as a play. We also touched on other performances from her career, including an extremely different mother she also played in 2021 on HBO Max’s sadly cancelled Genera+ion. Watch our full conversation here:
Oscar voting is now closed, but do you think Plimpton or any of her costars will be on the list of nominees?
Martha Plimpton, Mass, interview
Reader Comments (5)
In a year when no leading film actress has truly captured the audience’s enthusiasm, I would have preferred that Martha Plimpton had been promoted for Best Actress for Mass. Her work here is rich in humanity. From the moment the camera captures that first image of Gail Perry, Plimpton establishes a myriad of emotions that feel incredibly true. We don’t question that Gail has endured life changing trauma. This is a careful, thoughtful performance based in intelligence and integrity. For me, no one has exceeded this stunning achievement.
I agree with Finbar,only Ruth Negga comes close to Martha.
Thanks for the wonderful interview.
I thought she would get in easy, but this has turned out to be one of the most competitive supporting races in years! which is great but sad because I really wanted this for her.
And she has great taste in 2021 films…
Most actors do a fairly decent job of selling their projects on press junkets, but these interviews with the cast and writer/director of MASS are on a different level of passion and commitment. What a very special film.
Martha Plimpton is an activist in her personal life, used to talking passionately about certain subjects, so it was interesting to hear her voice breaking when she talked about this project. Also, interesting to note that certain stories are suited for certain kinds of media. Fran Kranz was good to stick to his guns that his work needed to be a film rather than a play.
Well done interview, Abe.