October 16, 1998
by Elizabeth Hunter
Award-winning actor Danny Glover brings passion and insight to the role of Paul D in Touchstone Pictures "Beloved" (opening nationwide October 16), director by Academy Award winner Jonathan Demme and also starring Academy Award nominee Oprah Winfrey, Kimberly Elise, Thandie Newton and Oscar nominee Beah Richards. The film is adapted from Toni Morrison's Pulitzer Prize Prize-winning novel and written for the screen by Akosua Busia, Academy Award nominees Richard LaGravenese and Adam Brooks. "Beloved" is a compelling drama that chronicles the life of an iron-willed, former slave (Winfrey) as she comes to terms with her horrific past and newly earned freedom.
Set in post-Civil war Ohio, Touchstone Pictures' "Beloved" is the story of Sethe, played by Oprah Winfrey, who risked death to escape from the Sweet Home Plantation in Kentucky. Sethe has established a new life in a small house at the edge of two with her daughter, Denver, played by Kimberly Elise. The past literally walks up to their doorstep in the form of former Sweet Home slave, Paul D, played by Danny Glover. Together Sethe, Denver and Paul D form a delicate, familial bond. Everything changes, however, with the appearance of the mysterious and disturbing young woman who calls herself Beloved, played by Thandie Newton. "Beloved" also stars Academy Award nominee Beah Richards.
In Danny Glover's estimation, Paul D is a true American hero. "Paul D represents many of the men who came out of slavery and were forced to transform themselves by divesting from all of the dysfunction of that system. The burden of coming out of enslavement was so enormous that it's difficult to understand the magnitude of it."
Glover's preparation for the role of Paul D in Touchstone Pictures' "Beloved" was extensive and challenging. "I had a `Beloved' room where I kept pictures, books and documentation of that period," he explains. "I tried to find Paul D and the slave experience in my own historic and psychic memory. I had to use the material, whether it was a slave narrative or a picture, and translate it into emotions and a sense of wonderment. It was, at times, a painful experience." Glover also used Paul D's relationship with Sethe, played by Oprah Winfrey, to help him understand Paul D and his experience.
"At first, Paul D's passion for Sether was the one thing I was able to hang my hat on," Glover explains. "I found that, to some extent, love and passion is what gives these characters, and us, the strength to survive." In Touchstone Pictures' "Beloved," Glover worked with first-rate talent. Although Danny Glover and Academy Award winning director, Jonathan Demme have worked together for numerous political causes, Touchstone Pictures "Beloved" marks their first collaboration on film. "Jonathan and I have a previous relationship," explains Glover.
"It seems like everything we did in life brought us to a certain place where we could meet and have an honest dialogue about this story." "Beloved" also reunites Glover with his "The Color Purple" co-star, Oprah Winfrey. "Oprah and I were part of an ensemble group on "The Color Purple," explains Glover. "While that experience was wonderful, it gave us no real indication of what was all too possible with `Beloved' because the relationship between Sethe and Paul D is so textured."
Glover is also a long-standing admirer of the work of Nobel Laureate Toni Morrison, the author of the novel Beloved. "One of my favorite pastimes is getting together with a friend and discussing Toni Morrison's work," Glover says.
"I've read all of Toni's books. I appreciate their richness and complexity." Danny Glover adds with a laugh, "I get a fair assessment of who I am as a black man by reading black women writers like Toni Morrison, Alice Walker and Zora Neal Hurston." Glover is honored to have realized Tony Morrison's character, Paul D, on screen.
"When you work with a great writer like Toni Morrison, you feel like you were put here as an actor and an artist to utter her words," explains Glover who finds playing complex characters like Paul D particularly enriching. "Paul D's journey is quite a heroic adventure because it reaffirms and clarifies what we can be as human beings." Glover's journey from political activist to film star is also inspiring.
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