The Verge: Imogen Poots

There's a bit of cognitive dissonance that happens when you watch Imogen Poots in Solitary Man: she's utterly convincing as a confident Manhattan teenager who sexually entangles herself with the boyfriend (Michael Douglas) of her wealthy mother (Mary-Louise Parker), but with a name like "Imogen Poots," there's no way she's actually American. In fact, the 20-year-old Poots is British and, until now, best known for playing one of the young leads in 28 Weeks Later. That should change after the one-two-three punch Poots has coming in Solitary Man, the Cannes drama Chatroom, and the Cary Fukunaga-directed Jane Eyre, where she plays rival to Mia Wasikowska.

As Solitary Man sees release this week, Poots called up Movieline to discuss the sitcom that helped her with an American accent, the perils of technology, and the pleasures of working twice opposite Michael Fassbender.

So much of the appeal of this character is that she isn't intimidated by Michael Douglas. Were you intimidated by him in real life?

No, I think the process of working with somebody so highly esteemed can always be daunting, but once I had met with Michael in person and rehearsed with him, it was just the opposite. He was the most charming man, and I felt so comfortable and lucky to be working with him.

What about the prospect of coming onto this American film cast with American actors, and you're the one who has to try to keep your American accent?

[Laughs] I think being in an American environment certainly helps. It was a challenge, but it was an exciting one, because I think when you take on an accent, you're losing your identity in many ways. That helps you to embody a character.

Do you think American accents tend to be easier for British actors because we export so much entertainment over there?

I think it's definitely an accessible accent, in terms of the amount of American television we have. I mean, I grew up watching Friends and the kids' shows are American. I just think that some people are incredible at doing accents, like Cate Blanchett, who time and time again can conquer these very complex dialects. I think American television certainly helps British actors, though.

What do you think motivates Allyson to sleep with Ben? Is it to irritate her mother? Is she bored?

I think that's it. She can have one up on Mary-Louise Parker's character. That's definitely her motivation that provoked her to sleep with Ben, because of her toxic relationship with her mother.

It's interesting, because when we see Allyson through the beginning of the film, she's very confident and in control. She feels a bit different when she sees Ben later, after their brief night together is exposed. Maybe regretful, vulnerable? What do you make of her in that moment?

I don't think she's either regretful or vulnerable in that moment, actually. I think early on, she fails to realize the consequences of her actions. At that point later on, she probably wants nothing more to do with Ben. She's bored again, and I think she's somebody who will continue to be bored. She's a teenager, and she's unpredictable, but I don't think there's anything vindictive in her attitude toward Ben. It's more like, "I'll see you around." She doesn't want him to continue to be in her life.

She's very comfortable dealing with older people. When you start acting at a young age, is that something you get used to yourself?

Yeah, I think age is definitely irrelevant in this industry, because you're working with people who are older and younger than you, and you're all collaborating on the same product. I think age does become irrelevant, and that's a great thing.

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