Actor Amy Adams has questioned why mothers face particularly harsh public scrutiny, drawing on her experience portraying a troubled parent in the upcoming film Klara And The Sun. Speaking to the Press Association ahead of the film’s screening at the BFI London Film Festival, the American actress discussed the intense judgment directed at her character, Chrissie, whose teenage daughter struggles with a serious illness.
The 52-year-old actress has tackled a wide range of roles throughout her illustrious career, starring as a fairytale princess in Enchanted, a con artist in American Hustle, and a ruthless political figure in Vice. Despite portraying various morally complex individuals, Adams noted that audiences seem far less forgiving of maternal imperfections.
“What’s fascinating about this film is playing a mother who makes questionable choices,” Adams said during her appearance at the London film event. “People project some negativity onto her, but I think that’s common for mothers. We get judged a little more harshly than some sociopaths I may have played.”
She added with a laugh, “I’m being silly – but it is true. I think mothers are judged very harshly.”
Exploring Flawed Motherhood in Klara And The Sun
Based on the bestselling dystopian novel by Kazuo Ishiguro, Klara And The Sun serves as a cautionary tale about technology and the ethics of artificial intelligence. In the film, Adams plays Chrissie, a mother trying to navigate deep grief and isolation as her sick teenage daughter, Josie (played by Mia Tharia), develops a unique friendship with an artificial intelligence figure named Klara (Jenna Ortega). Klara is specifically designed to combat human loneliness.
Adams expressed that taking on the role allowed her to dive deep into a character who steps out of perfection and control.
“What I loved about playing Chrissie is I got to explore somebody who is very deeply flawed,” Adams explained. “Getting to understand her grief and her isolation, and understanding how the relationship with Klara forces and encourages her to build a human relationship, step out of perfection, step out of control – and allow herself to be vulnerable and human.”
Red Carpet Appearances and Star-Studded Screenings
The BFI London Film Festival screening drew a host of major cinematic stars to the red carpet alongside Adams. Her co-star Jenna Ortega spoke with reporters about taking on a refreshing project that stood out from standard scripts.
“It was different than a lot of the scripts that I was receiving at the time,” Ortega said, describing the production as a freeing project. The Wednesday star caught attention on the red carpet wearing a floor-length satin yellow gown featuring black lace details, accessorized with a matching mustard lace cap over her long dark hair.
Adams opted for an off-the-shoulder black gown completed with contrasting and bunched white detail along the hem. Other notable attendees included Oppenheimer star Florence Pugh, who arrived in a mesh floral gown featuring an extravagant winged detail on both shoulders. Filmmaker Taika Waititi and singer Rita Ora also made an appearance, with Ora wearing a striking black lace gown with a flared hem and a matching horned mask.
Klara And The Sun is scheduled to release in cinemas across the UK on October 23, bringing Ishiguro’s thought-provoking narrative about technology, artificial intelligence, and human connection to the big screen.
