Nathan Lane recently shared a behind-the-scenes moment from Beau Is Afraid, revealing that he had to pull Joaquin Phoenix aside after the actor became too intense for the film’s comedic tone. The anecdote came up during Lane’s appearance on Mike Birbiglia’s Working It Out podcast, where he reflected on working with Phoenix and director Ari Aster.
According to Lane, Aster had warned him that Phoenix might improvise heavily, and after three hours of filming a scene, it was clear that the performance wasn’t quite hitting the right comedic notes. Lane compared Phoenix’s delivery to Olivia de Havilland’s dramatic turn in Lady in a Cage—far from the dark humor the film intended. Realizing the scene was stalling, Lane decided to intervene.
“I finally said, ‘Look, Joaquin, we don’t know each other, but … I think this is supposed to be funny,’” Lane recalled, explaining how the film needed a tonal shift after its heavy opening. He then suggested a small bit of physical comedy to lighten the mood—using a stuffed animal for an awkward gag. Phoenix initially resisted but soon broke into laughter, finally loosening up and resetting the scene’s energy.
Amy Ryan, their co-star, later confirmed Lane’s ability to crack Phoenix up. “He could not look at Nathan without laughing,” she told Entertainment Weekly, adding that despite Phoenix’s intensity, he could instantly switch between joking and fully immersing himself in the scene.
While Phoenix is known for his deeply committed performances, Lane’s well-timed comedic instincts helped ensure that Beau Is Afraid struck the right balance between surreal horror and absurd humor.
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Source: The Wrap
Photo Credit: A24
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