Final winter, James Comey met Jeff Daniels for the primary time. The expertise made Comey sick to his abdomen. “I bear in mind the phrase ‘nauseous
Final winter, James Comey met Jeff Daniels for the primary time. The expertise made Comey sick to his abdomen. “I bear in mind the phrase ‘nauseous,’” Daniels recalled.
The 2 males — Comey, a former F.B.I. director, and Daniels, an Emmy-winning actor — met in Toronto on the set of “The Comey Rule,” a two-part sequence debuting Sunday on Showtime, primarily based on Comey’s 2018 memoir, “A Greater Loyalty.” Daniels performs Comey.
Till then, the actual Comey had made himself accessible by telephone and electronic mail however stayed in any other case uninvolved. Ultimately, although, he discovered time to spend a day on set. That day’s schedule, by probability, included a recreation of the now-infamous non-public dinner at which Comey has stated that President Trump advised him: “I want loyalty. I anticipate loyalty.” (Trump has disputed this model of occasions.)
Watching Daniels squirm in a reproduction chair at a reproduction desk in a reproduction of the White Home Inexperienced Room reverse Brendan Gleeson’s Trump, Comey started to really feel bodily ailing. That’s how he knew the scene was working.
“It was painful for him,” Daniels recalled throughout a three-way Zoom dialog with Comey earlier this month. Comey, whose solely credit score on the present is for writing the supply materials, put it extra colorfully. “It freakin’ ruined my day,” he stated cheerfully.
Written and directed by Billy Ray, a director and screenwriter who focuses on thrillers primarily based on actual occasions (“Shattered Glass,” “Breach”), “The Comey Rule” mixes authorized procedural, political suspense and historic drama a few interval of historical past so close to and largely unprocessed that watching it could possibly induce a type of emotional whiplash. Which is to say that Comey is probably not alone in feeling sick.
The primary episode covers the months main as much as the 2016 presidential election and the F.B.I. investigation into Hillary Clinton’s use of a personal electronic mail server. The second follows the months simply after, centered largely on the probe into Russian election meddling and culminating in Comey’s firing. Re-enactments and home scenes — Jennifer Ehle performs Comey’s spouse, Patrice Failor — supply a sympathetic view of Comey as each public servant and personal particular person. They reiterate his self-criticism that he will be prideful, overconfident, led by private ethics on the expense of helpful institutional norms. However no scene contradicts or questions the model of occasions “A Greater Loyalty” provides.
Ray acknowledged that he had approached the challenge with the assumption that Comey’s dealing with of the Clinton investigation had delivered the election to Trump — “Effectively, sir,” Ray recalled saying throughout the preliminary pitch assembly, “you bought him elected.” However the Comey of Half 1 is in the end a tragic hero, an upright man trapped in a no-win scenario. The circumstances of Half 2? Even much less winnable.
Nonetheless the actual Comey had one phrase for his expertise watching the sequence: “Exhausting.”
Facet by aspect on Zoom — Comey from Virginia, Daniels from Michigan — Comey and the actor who performs him instructed a compare-and-contrast train. (Largely distinction.) Daniels wore a Philadelphia folks pageant T-shirt, his hair each which manner, his face stress-free right into a frown. Comey, completely kempt in a swimsuit jacket and collared shirt, accessorized with a smile. His tidy background — closed blinds, a commendation or two — clashed with Daniels’s cluttered workplace.
On set, a hairpiece, make-up and the occasional voice coach had helped Daniels slip into Comey’s gown sneakers. Then once more, these sneakers had lifts; Comey stands a looming 6-foot-8. “My household believes he captured me in a manner,” Comey stated. “It was form of how he held his neck and shoulders.”
In dialog, each males projected decency, an Eagle Scout-ness of the soul. Daniels has likability, too, and his latest run of principally reliable heroes — Will McAvoy in “The Newsroom,” Atticus Finch in Broadway’s “To Kill a Mockingbird” — provides a meta-text which may assist viewers spend money on a narrative a few man who managed, in just a few quick months, to upset either side of the aisle and possibly most independents, too.
Throughout an hourlong interview, Comey and Daniels mentioned the shock of reliving the latest previous, what a drama in regards to the 2016 election can imply for viewers in 2020 and the way a lot the mini-series made the actual Comey cry. These are excerpts from the dialog.
Jim, I perceive you had been reluctant to promote the movie and tv rights. What satisfied you?
JAMES COMEY Shane Salerno, one of many producers, turned me round. He stated, “Inform us why you wrote this guide.” I stated, “Effectively, I needed to be useful, particularly to younger folks, and attempt to supply a imaginative and prescient of those establishments and what management will be.” And he stated, “In case your guide sells one million copies, it’ll be an enormous nonfiction success. If a TV present has one million viewers, it’s canceled right this moment.” He let that sink in after which he stated: “Look, man, I do know you’re uncomfortable. But when that’s your mission, recover from your discomfort. As a result of youngsters aren’t going to learn your guide, however they are going to watch a present.”
What was your discomfort?
COMEY It was by no means one in all my profession targets to be a B-list movie star. At first I wasn’t going to write down a guide. Then I wasn’t going to incorporate the Trump chapters till my literary brokers advised me, “You’re loopy.” I simply needed the entire thing to go away. And the concept of a film or TV present meant it was simply going to be again within the public eye perpetually.
Because it seems, I’ve determined to remain within the public eye till the election, so it didn’t make that large a distinction. However that was my discomfort. I simply thought, “Oh, God, do I really want that?” And likewise, look, I’m delicate to criticism, and one of many criticisms of me that I feel is improper however nonetheless hurts a bit is that this notion that I’m a showboat or that I would like the eye. And I assumed it will simply feed that narrative.
Why did you belief Billy Ray to inform this story?
COMEY He requested me to look at “Shattered Glass,” to return and watch “Breach” once more. He stated, “I’ve advised tough tales and I can inform them in a good manner.” And I used to be satisfied he was proper. Additionally, Patrice and I met him. Her verdict was, “Look, he’s a good individual.”
Jeff, what bought you on the position, particularly coming off a yr of eight exhibits per week on “To Kill a Mockingbird”?
JEFF DANIELS Throughout “Mockingbird,” Billy got here to me and stated, “We would like you to play Jim Comey.” My first thought was, “I don’t have a clue as to how to do this.” Which is an efficient factor. As a result of that’s what I assumed with “Newsroom,” “Godless,” “Looming Tower,” Atticus Finch. So I stated sure, figuring out I’d should do it 9 days after I wrapped a yr’s run in “Mockingbird,” which is like operating a marathon after which anyone palms you a glass of water and says flip round and run one other one.
Earlier than you signed on to this challenge, had you thought a lot about Jim and what sort of a person he’s?
DANIELS I actually tried to return and suppose to October 2016 particularly, after they reopened the case [the Clinton investigation]. Did I hit the roof and begin throwing issues? I don’t do not forget that. I feel I used to be nonetheless recovering from “Seize ’em by the pussy.”
I perceive that Billy additionally gave you Jim’s electronic mail. Did you employ it?
DANIELS I feel I emailed him as soon as and principally stated, “For those who’re in New York in October, I’d love to take a seat down with you.” And we didn’t. And that was OK.
So that you didn’t have any questions for him?
DANIELS It was within the guide. I had the guide!
Did you’re employed on the voice, his carriage?
DANIELS I did as little with that as potential. YouTube is stuffed with Jim. I can’t compete with YouTube, but when I can pull them in with a hairpiece and two-inch lifts, then I’ve performed my job. It’s extra about making the viewers suppose what he’s pondering and really feel what he’s feeling versus a complete bunch of mannerisms and accents and issues like that.
I really like that at 6-foot-Three you had been too quick to play him.
DANIELS I had two-inch lifts, and he exhibits up and I’m nonetheless wanting up. I wanted Elton John platform sneakers.
Jim, how did Jeff do, enjoying you?
COMEY I bought to see the “loyalty dinner.” That was the one day I may get to Toronto. I’m watching this, and I’m feeling barely ailing. Jeff is capturing my discomfort in an incredible manner. So once I met him, I stated: “The very best praise I pays you is you simply ruined my day. I really feel terrible.” Yeah, the scene is eerily correct.
It was your first time on a movie set. What shocked you?
COMEY I used to be blown away by the ballet. They’re pushing cameras in, and there are folks stepping over, and there’s a woman subsequent to me who’s monitoring the script to make it possible for phrases aren’t dropped and there are voice coaches — simply this enormous group of individuals. They took me to wardrobe. And so they had Patrice’s garments — just like the stuff she wears. Then they went to my daughter’s closets, after which they confirmed me my stuff, and it’s like these folks have been stalking me and I had no concept.
What do you suppose this story is in the end about?
DANIELS All I bought is what Billy advised me: the wrestle to be an apolitical public servant in right this moment’s America. And it’s like, America has no concept what which means, nor does it care.
COMEY There’s a hazard of convincing myself of this, as a result of I used to be so uncomfortable with the concept of a film about me. However I feel it’s in regards to the establishments which might be our basis, and the folks that make them — flawed folks, folks like me. One of many pitches that Billy made, he stated: “I see this as a love story. It’s in regards to the love between a person and an establishment.”
It jogged my memory of a Greek tragedy, the story of a superb man who simply misses the mark.
COMEY Yeah, I feel that’s proper. I feel it’s a tragedy. There was no door that was going to keep away from the catastrophe. Isn’t that the one of many essences of tragedy? That there isn’t a manner out on your hero?
DANIELS It’s a tragedy up so far. But it surely hasn’t ended but. Our establishments are at stake. Our nation is at stake. Democracy is at stake. It’ll finish on Nov. 3.
Jim, what was your expertise watching the sequence?
COMEY Exhausting. I watched it with Patrice and two of my daughters. And it was emotional. As a result of if you’re in it, one of many methods you survive it’s you don’t let your self be overcome. So watching it with a few of my women, I spotted simply how a lot ache there was for me that I wasn’t totally acknowledging. However possibly what made it most emotional for me was watching their response. As a result of they felt a lot ache on the time. And I didn’t totally admire that. It was a wash of emotion that I had been suppressing after which a wash of emotion laterally from them.
So out of the 4 of you, what number of cried?
COMEY All 4.
DANIELS Landing!
The mini-series will run 5 weeks earlier than the presidential election. What are you hoping audiences will take away from it?
COMEY I assumed it was necessary that this work be proven to the American folks earlier than the election. As a result of it’s in regards to the nature and character of our establishments and the injury that the one who want to be re-elected has performed to them. I hope it makes a distinction as a result of it tells the reality.
DANIELS I feel it’s the distinction between being related and irrelevant. There was a time the place it was going to be aired after the election, and that was not acceptable. Earlier than the election we’re related. We’re a part of the nationwide dialog main as much as crucial election on this nation’s historical past.
And but politics are so partisan now. Will this actually change anybody’s thoughts?
DANIELS On the best way left, the best way proper, you’re not going to get them. Overlook them. They’re gone. It’s that 20 % within the center. Some folks say they don’t exist anymore. I feel they do. I’m residing round them right here in Michigan. There are folks out right here, generally they vote Democrat, generally they vote Republican, typically Republican out of behavior. They’re pondering twice now. And people are the folks that have to look critically at this. I really like doing issues that matter, that depend. And this factor issues. This factor counts.
Do you suppose sufficient time has elapsed for us to essentially perceive what occurred in 2016?
COMEY Perhaps not totally. However the analog I have a look at is [the film] “All of the President’s Males,” which got here out in ’76. That wasn’t the tip of the Watergate story. It was a contribution, an early contribution to the nationwide understanding of what had occurred. That’s how I see this. However I additionally suppose you’re proper. I don’t suppose we now have a whole understanding of 2016. I see this as a primary draft of historical past.