Glenn Close cherishes the treasures she has collected from her film career, including an imposing reproduction of the Queen Elizabeth I “Ditchley Portrait.” This prop adorned the townhouse of her notorious character, Cruella de Vil, in the film “102 Dalmatians.” Close humorously suggests that the regal figure could be an ancestor of Cruella herself. Over a recent Zoom call from her home in Bozeman, Montana, Close, now 78, opened up about her sentimental attachment to film costumes and props, often ensuring her contract allows her to keep such mementos.
In her latest project, “The Summer Book,” Close found there were fewer extravagant set pieces to bring home, a fact she appreciates due to the film’s austere nature. The movie, which debuted on September 19, is an adaptation of Finnish novelist Tove Jansson’s work. It narrates the story of a family dealing with grief while spending a summer in their cottage on the Gulf of Finland. Close emphasizes the film’s focus on day-to-day life, familial connections, and multi-generational strength, rather than dialogues laden with emotion.
Close’s journey in “The Summer Book” aligns with her personal milestones, as she recently embraced the role of grandmother for the first time. Her daughter, Annie, welcomed a son, Rory Westaway Albu, in February. Close’s real-life experiences deeply resonate with the film’s themes of nature and renewal. Her love for nature traces back to her upbringing on her grandfather’s farm, a passion she shares with her family, who have also chosen to settle in Montana.
Glenn Close’s career treasures and her personal life beautifully intertwine with her roles onscreen, making her recent film project especially meaningful.