On-screen chemistry between actors really does make or break a film when it comes to movieland. This fact has been the case with ‘Between the Temples’, an independently financed flick starring the rather unlikely pairing of Carol Kane and Jason Schwartzman in what most would consider an “odd couple.” Their dynamic, however, is anything but on-screen and off.
Carol Kane is that rare, eccentric character actress who has made iconic appearances in films like *Annie Hall* and *The Princess Bride*. She brings this kind of quirky energy to whatever she does. That eccentric charm really stands in high contrast to Schwartzman’s more subdued deadpan, honed in movies like *Rushmore* and *The Darjeeling Limited*. In ‘Between the Temples’, characters from worlds utterly foreign to each other-thus, their differences are foisted upon them in just about the most improbable quirky ways possible.
While no doubt magical on-screen, it’s their off-screen relationship that raises eyebrows. Despite a generation gap and apparent oppositeness in personality, Kane and Schwartzman are real-life buddies, admirers of each other’s craft, and give each other high praise in interviews.
As Schwartzman himself once said, Kane’s style of acting-uninhibited and quite inspiring-he said that he was impressed by the way she throws herself at any role, literally, without any concern for traditional limits. On his part, Kane has been quoted raving about Schwartzman’s humility and the way he can find the humor in even the most subtle moments. Says Kane, they clicked because they enjoyed offbeat, character-driven storytelling.
This real-life bond lends another layer to their onscreen partnership in ‘Between the Temples’, where their opposing styles create a dynamic of interest. Far from clashing, their performances work together and offer a fresh take on cinematic partnerships. In a world of perfect matches, Kane and Schwartzman prove that sometimes it’s the oddest combinations that leave the greatest impact.
