The actress spoke about life on the big screen after an exclusive screening of her new film, Barney’s Version

A touch of glamour came to Kilburn when acclaimed actress Rosamund Pike visited the Tricycle Theatre to take part in an exclusive Question and Answer session.

Rosamund Pike, who stars alongside Paul Giamatti and Dustin Hoffman in her new film Barney’s Version, spoke about her artistic inspirations, handling casting rejections, and what it is like working with Hollywood greats, after a preview screening of her new film.

Describing what it is like being immersed in a character, and whether it is easy to return to your normal self after a day’s filming, Pike said: “The characters stay with you. It is a funny thing, but having acted in those scenes you bank those memories as your own.

“When I have been working on a film I really identify with your character and begin to think that I have lived those experiences – even though I haven’t really, I have only acted them.”

In her latest film, Barney’s Version, Rosamund plays Miriam, the love of Barney’s (played by Paul Giamatti) life whom he meets at his wedding – to another woman.

We watch their relationship unfold, and the many tender moments they share, before it comes to an abrupt end.

In an incredibly moving scene in which Barney tries vainly to save their relationship, he said ‘We have a life’, to which she replies ‘We had a life’.

Miriam’s character is thoughtful and nuanced, and played masterfully by Pike – who pulls off playing widely different ages as we see her marry, have children, and grow older.

Talking about life on set, she said: “Dustin is such a funny person to be around – constantly cracking jokes and distracting us while we were working.

“It was a great pleasure working with him. I think the character suited him really well – if this film had been made earlier you could imagine Dustin playing Barney, so it is really believable that he is his father.”

Pike, who played the villainous Bond girl Miranda Frost in Die Another Die, and Jane Bennet in Pride and Prejudice, also revealed what it feels like to be rebuffed at casting.

Recalling one recent such experience, she jokingly said: “I recently went up for this quite hotly contested role in Hollywood. I didn’t get it and the word came back that all they wanted was a hot piece of ass. I have never wanted to play those roles, but when you find out that they don’t think you are a just a hot piece of ass, it is still offensive.”

The screening was put on by the Tricycle Theatre in collaboration with the UK Jewish film council.

To book tickets to see Barney’s Version visit www.tricycle.co.uk/current-programme-pages/cinema-program