71-Year-Old Actor's Boldest Role Shakes Audiences

Reed Birney, a 71-year-old Tony-winning actor, has taken on his most challenging role in "Blue Film," an independent feature directed by Elliot Tuttle. Birney portrays Hank Grant, a former middle-school English teacher who served seven years in prison for attempting to sexually assault a student.

The film opens with Hank hiring a sex worker, who is revealed to be Alex, a former student from over a decade ago. Hank orchestrates the encounter to confess his past feelings and explain himself to Alex, leading to an emotionally intense exploration of their troubled student-teacher bond.

Birney, known for smaller roles in shows like "House of Cards," describes his performance as fearless, aiming to capture the complex humanity of a character many would deem monstrous. He also served as an executive producer and collaborated with Tuttle on the script.

"Blue Film" faced festival rejections and controversy before its release. After premiering at the Edinburgh Film Festival last summer, it struggled to find distribution. Obscure Releasing eventually picked up the film, making it available for rental and purchase on digital platforms.

Birney has observed audience reactions, noting that while some find the movie seen and valuable, others deem it irresponsible. He understands that viewers with personal trauma may not be receptive to Hank's character.

The actor acknowledges that audiences sometimes struggle to separate his performance from the character, which he sees as a testament to his acting. Birney's career began in the 1970s, with early film roles in "Four Friends" and "Crimewave" that did not gain traction.

His fortunes shifted in his mid-50s with a critically acclaimed role in the off-Broadway revival of "Blasted." Subsequent stage success, including a Tony for "The Humans," led to more film opportunities, like his Gotham nomination for "Mass."

Birney aims to play complex characters at crossroads, noting that his film career has largely consisted of supporting roles. He hopes "Blue Film" demonstrates his ability to carry a leading part, though he acknowledges the limited opportunities for 71-year-old men in leading roles.

Despite "Blue Film's" challenging nature and limited embrace, Birney views its existence and discussion as a victory for radical cinema. He believes the well-made, intelligent film will find its audience.