Mather Zickel

Mather Zickel has a New York theater background that includes "many plays in many basements" and a few years with a sketch comedy group. That led to his being cast as Bill Murray in "It's Always Something," a 2002 television movie about Gilda Radner. Since then, he's shuttled between New York and Los Angeles for work. "Rachel Getting Married" reminded him of his theater days. There was a lot of improvisation and little idea where the cameras were, requiring an immersion into the characters' lives that most films don't demand. The rehearsal dinner scene was shot in two takes of 40 minutes each. "That kind of stuff is a wonderful way of working for an actor," he says.

The film focuses on the wedding of Rachel, whose sister Kym (Anne Hathaway, who is nominated for lead actress) has emerged from rehab, blinking against the light, for the event. Kym's narcissistic behavior unnerves everyone except Zickel's Kieran. A fellow addict, he meets Kym at a Narcotics Anonymous meeting; each is unaware that they're both attending the wedding. In the sea of dysfunction that engulfs the family, Kieran is an island of calm and good sense.

"It's so great to have a scene partner like Annie," he says of Hathaway. "She was very emotionally available and present, and I think that's why she gives such a raw performance."

He admits he was spoiled by getting "Married." "It's a very actor-friendly way of working," he says, adding, "it really is my favorite movie of the year. Not that I'm biased."

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