Catherine Keener Vies For Oscar
Hollywood got a good, long look at Catherine Keener in 2005. She was on the big screen in "The Interpreter," "The Ballad of Jack and Rose," and "The 40-Year-Old Virgin."
But the icing on the cake was her second Oscar nomination, this time for playing the supporting role of novelist Harper Lee in "Capote."
Keener visited The Early Show and
"I feel funny even talking about it," she said. "It's thrilling."
The movie is about Truman Capote's experience while writing his non-fiction novel, "In Cold Blood." Keener's character, Harper Lee, accompanies him during his reporting trips and acts as a sort of muse. And it was a role she was more than happy to explore.
"It was pretty amazing, actually, getting that job, because I, of course, love her and grew up loving Scout and 'To Kill a Mockingbird' and the whole thing," she told Smith. When she was called in to meet the director, Bennett Miller, she "was thrilled. Then, of course, he gave me the job, and I was out of my mind with terror."
Keener holds herself to high standards and felt strongly about doing justice to the character.
"I am pretty self-critical in all regards," she said. "In a good way, I think, just sort of trying to keep the bar as high as you can."
Asked if she is nervous about the Oscars, Keener said no, just happy to be nominated.
"It's fantastic as it is. I wish it would just stay this way," she said. "I don't need anything more."