She’s routinely described as having a subversive wit, and many of her memorable performances are as herself on late-night talk shows, where she has expounded on her imaginary boyfriend and her (real) cheeseball-and-cupcake-making business.
Oh, and there’s that whole thing about being the sister of famous author David. But in her newest movie, “Snow Angels,” Amy Sedaris takes on a serious dramatic role in a dark picture. She talks about her latest artistic endeavor.
When you first saw the script and how it’s a pretty dark drama, did you feel like this was going to be a big departure for you?
Yes, but I’m drawn to the darker side of things. You could get me to read a drama before a comedy. But I was a little surprised [director David Gordon Green] asked me to do it. … Then [again], it’s not like I have to fight attackers off me and have a huge crying scene.
Well, you still did get to have a smart mouth, and curse a lot, and even throw dishes!
Breakaway china! That’s always in my contract. I always get to throw something. … At least, we always put it in the script saying I have to break something, and whether or not it actually happens, they buy it, so I get to have it.
In the film, they certainly gave you one heck of a dirty, lying, cheating man, didn’t they?
Oh, I know. I kept forgetting I had a husband. Then I’d see him in a scene, and I was like, oh yeah. He was funny.
At the end of the movie, you’re pretty much held up as the paragon of the good person with the good heart.
Yeah, right. It’s scripted. Don’t forget that.
What do you have coming up next?
A writing project, but I usually tell people I’m trying to have a baby, and then they just shut up because all these things go through their head, like “Oh, my God, trying? What does that mean?” especially because I’m single and I’m not seeing anybody. And then they have to think about me naked. So, yeah, it usually shuts them up.
