When times are hard and weather is cold, we seek solace in the arms of a big-budget blockbuster. Enter: Oblivion - futuristic, post-apocalyptic depiction of a civilisation in ruins starring Tom Cruise. We caught up with its leading lady, Andrea Riseborough, to talk Tom Cruises LA pad, living the quiet life in Idaho, and grooming on set
Andrea Riseboroughs played a seriously diverse collection of roles over the last few years: from a slightly saucy Maggie Thatcher, to scarlet woman, Wallis Simpson (directed by Madonna), to the downtrodden Rose behind NHS specs in Brighton Rock.
On set it's all about transformation, rather than looking picture perfect: 'When you're shooting, grooming is the last thing on your mind - it really is about getting your hands dirty and not thinking about anything apart from working.' Off set though, her powers of transformation take a more directional form: she has been spotted in a fashion weeks worth of enviable gowns on the red carpet from Elie Saab at Oblivions premiere in Buenos Aires (its like something from a fairytale), to Vivienne Westwood at the BAFTAs, and Matthew Williamson at this years ELLE Style awards.
But even the most unflappable English actress on the rise must have been a little nervous to meet Hollywood titan, Tom Cruise? I had this really turbulent flight on a shoebox of a plane, got off at the other end and turned up at Tom Cruises house! Riseborough tells ELLE. It sounds sort of like a weird dream And she's really proud of how the film turned out: 'When I watched the latest cut it really wasn't what I expected it would be - and I was there! It surpassed anything that i could have imagined.'
For now life involves a lot of shuttling across continents on shoebox planes. Next, shes travelling to Rio, then off again to film Birdman, with Emma Stone and Naomi Watts and since she lives with her boyfriend, artist Joe Appel, on a farm in Idaho, the actress will continue to rack up plenty more air miles. 'There's a lot going on - but I have absolutely no complaints!' Well, you cant conquer Hollywood by staying at home.
Oblivion is in cinemas 12 April
