Tiffany Haddish may have Martin Scorsese to thank for her role in Paul Schrader's "The Card Counter," at least indirectly.
It was Scorsese who opened Schrader's eyes to the power of the comedic actor when he cast Albert Brooks in a vanilla -- seemingly plain -- role in "Taxi Driver." Schrader asked him why and he said he thought Brooks would find something in it.
"You cast a comic, they will break something in a role, even if it isn't laughs. They will make themselves interesting," Schrader said. "It's in their DNA."
And it's a theory he's often gone back to, from casting Richard Pryor in his debut "Blue Collar" to bringing Cedric the Entertainer to his last film "First Reformed." So when Haddish's name came up for the role of La Linda, a gambling agent who gets entangled with Oscar Isaac's mysterious card shark William Tell, he was intrigued.
"She brings a little joy, she brings her charisma," Haddish said Thursday at the Venice Film Festival before its world premiere. "Every good drama, no matter how dark it is, needs a little light so people can take a breath, that's what I was looking to do."
The 41-year-old actor consulted with some professional gamblers she knows to learn more about what their agents are like. She wasn't impressed with what she heard.
"It sounded like a bunch of slimy people to me," she said. "I wasn't feeling that. I was like, 'I'm not making her slimy, that's for sure."
Though she's dabbled in some serious roles, it was a bit of a learning curve for Haddish at first. But it was one that she was game for.
"For someone with Tiffany's background one of the hardest things to learn is you don't have to hit every line," Schrader said.
Haddish put it a little more bluntly.
"When we came into rehearsals the first day I sucked. I sucked bad. I was horrible because I feel like that's where you should be horrible at, in rehearsal," she said. "We played a lot, and what I love about Paul is he was blatantly honest with me, which is the most refreshing thing in the world. I learned a lot from him, and I'm very, very grateful, Paul, that you let me be in the movie. And that you didn't fire me on that first rehearsal."
Haddish is not much of a gambler herself, she said. She keeps her bets to a $20, two-hour limit. But she did take one big gamble, on herself, when she spent her rent money on an acting class and ended up homeless for a time.
"I told myself it would pay off in the long run and here I am in Italy, in Venice!" Haddish said triumphantly. "So darling, it paid off."
"The Card Counter" is competing for the Golden Lion at the Venice Film Festival, up against films like Jane Campion's " The Power of the Dog " and Paolo Sorrentino's " The Hand of God." "The Card Counter" opens in U.S. theaters on Sept. 10.
Donald Trump took the stage Sunday night at New York鈥檚 Madison Square Garden to deliver his campaign's closing argument with the election nine days away after several of his allies used crude and racist insults toward U.S. Vice-President Kamala Harris and other critics of the former president.
The majority of mail-in ballots tallied this weekend for the final count in B.C.鈥檚 nail-bitingly close 2024 provincial election went to the NDP, increasing the party鈥檚 chances of clinching a third term.
Millions of Canadians will notice their clocks turn back by one hour on Nov. 3, marking the end of daylight saving time this year.
A pair of new pre-election polls indicate that the Saskatchewan NDP has a slight lead ahead of election day.
A 17-year-old Ottawa driver was caught speeding nearly 90 km/h over the speed limit on Highway 417.
Victor Garber got teary-eyed when he walked into a brunch in his honour Sunday in London, Ont.
Another week, another raft of imminent challenges to Justin Trudeau's leadership of both the country and the Liberal Party.
With jaw-dropping big wall ascents and a life packed with adrenaline and adventure, climber Tommy Caldwell has had a career worthy of 鈥 and captured by 鈥 a feature film.
Giving away used clothes for a second life feels like an act of charity 鈥 and it often is. But it鈥檚 become more complicated. A W5 investigation has discovered allegations that organized crime players are muscling in on charities to access their donation bins.
Last year, seven-year-old Jack was diagnosed with hereditary spastic paraplegia type four (SPG4), a disease that affects less than 0.01 per cent of the population.
A massive mudslide closed the freeway south of the Canada-U.S. border in Bellingham, Wash. Sunday.
A pair of new pre-election polls indicate that the Saskatchewan NDP has a slight lead ahead of election day.
Victor Garber got teary-eyed when he walked into a brunch in his honour Sunday in London, Ont.
A 17-year-old Ottawa driver was caught speeding nearly 90 km/h over the speed limit on Highway 417.
Giving away used clothes for a second life feels like an act of charity 鈥 and it often is. But it鈥檚 become more complicated. A W5 investigation has discovered allegations that organized crime players are muscling in on charities to access their donation bins.
Donald Trump took the stage Sunday night at New York鈥檚 Madison Square Garden to deliver his campaign's closing argument with the election nine days away after several of his allies used crude and racist insults toward U.S. Vice-President Kamala Harris and other critics of the former president.
Voters in Uruguay headed to the polls to choose a new president on Sunday in a race that defies regional trends of bitter division and democratic erosion.
Russian forces thwarted an attempt at another cross-border incursion by Ukraine into southwestern Russia, a local official reported Sunday.
Fighters from the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces ran riot in east-central Sudan in a multi-day attack that killed more than 120 people in one town.
Voters in Sao Paulo, Brazil, started going to the polls Sunday in a mayoral race pitting incumbent Mayor Ricardo Nunes against lawmaker Guilherme Boulos.
How Iran chooses to respond could determine whether the region spirals further toward all-out war or holds steady at an already destabilizing level of violence.
Another week, another raft of imminent challenges to Justin Trudeau's leadership of both the country and the Liberal Party.
RCMP Commissioner Mike Duheme says there has been a 鈥渟ignificant reduction鈥漷o the public safety threat since six Indian diplomatic officials were expelled from the country last week.
Minister Gary Anandasangaree has apologized to a group of Ontario First Nations for mismanagement of their money over a century ago.
Health Canada released an advisory last week that warns against the use of baby walkers available on eBay.ca, saying the products may pose a risk of injury and that baby walkers are banned in Canada.
Whole Foods Market is joining the growing list of brands whose frozen waffles have been recalled in Canada this week because of possible listeria contamination.
Angela Salvatore had been away from her father's hospital bedside for just over an hour when she says she got a frantic call from a nurse, pleading with her to calm him down.
The U.S. Bureau of Land Management has hosted the online competition since 2019 to raise awareness about the bat's ecological importance.
Law enforcement agencies across the U.S. are cracking down on a troubling spread of child sexual abuse imagery created through artificial intelligence technology 鈥 from manipulated photos of real children to graphic depictions of computer-generated kids.
The search for a popular tortoise that went missing from his home in Piedmont is over after his owner said he came home.
'Venom: The Last Dance' showed less bite than expected at the box office, collecting US$51 million in its opening weekend, according to studio estimates.
Actor Timothee Chalamet made a surprise appearance at his own look-alike contest in Lower Manhattan on Sunday, a well-attended event that drew an order to disperse from police and at least one arrest.
What could be more timely than an epic, award-winning (Pulitzer, Tony) American drama about money problems?
Five things to watch for in the Canadian business world in the coming week: Bank of Canada, GDP figures, and results for Enbridge, Parkland, and Imperial Oil.
Natural gas producers in Western Canada have white-knuckled it through months of depressed prices, with the expectation that their fortunes will improve when LNG Canada comes online in the middle of next year.
Bank of Canada governor Tiff Macklem says the world has become more prone to supply shocks which create more risks to inflation, but the central bank is in a better place to deal with them now that inflation is under control.
British chef Jamie Oliver is asking for help to solve the mystery of a missing award-winning cheddar, worth US$390,000.
With jaw-dropping big wall ascents and a life packed with adrenaline and adventure, climber Tommy Caldwell has had a career worthy of 鈥 and captured by 鈥 a feature film.
Two witches talk about their daily rituals, from spell-casting to TikTok posting, and how they discovered their magic.
A female athlete from Sault Ste. Marie, Ont., achieved two big goals at the 2024 World Triathlon championships in Spain last weekend.
The Indiana Fever fired coach Christie Sides on Sunday, the organization announced.
Real Madrid, the Spanish league and the local government condemned racist insults against Barcelona's player Lamine Yamal during Saturday's 'El Clasico.'
Based on initial appearances, there are signs indicating the automobile industry is in healthy shape 鈥 for now.
A town in southern Alberta will be one of the first to let golf carts be driven on select roads as part of a provincial pilot program.
An increased risk of fire has prompted the recall of thousands of Honda hybrid vehicles in Canada.
The Westfield & District Recreation Association hosted its first Witches and Warlocks on the Water event Saturday, with costumed paddlers in pointed hats launching from Westfield Beach.
A new resident at a Manitoba animal rescue has waddled her way into people's hearts.
Hundreds of people ran to the music of German composer and pianist Beethoven Wednesday night in a unique race in Halifax.
He is a familiar face to residents of a neighbourhood just west of Roncesvalles Avenue.
A meteor lit up our region's sky last night 鈥 with a large fireball shooting across the horizon over Lake Erie at around 7:00 p.m.
Residents of Ottawa's Rideauview neighbourhood say an aggressive wild turkey has become a problem.
A man who lost his life while trying to rescue people from floodwaters, and a 13-year-old boy who saved his family from a dog attack, are among the Nova Scotians who received a medal for bravery Tuesday.
A newly minted Winnipegger is hoping a world record attempt will help bring awareness for the need for more pump track facilities in the city.
A Springfield, Ont. man is being hailed a 'hero' after running into his burning home to save his two infant children.
The majority of mail-in ballots tallied this weekend for the final count in B.C.鈥檚 nail-bitingly close 2024 provincial election went to the NDP, increasing the party鈥檚 chances of clinching a third term.
Two of the three recounts in B.C.鈥檚 2024 provincial election have been completed, with no change to the standings in either riding.
A person is in hospital with life-threatening injuries following a two-vehicle collision in Surrey Sunday afternoon.
More Torontonians will be able to get their doses of a new COVID-19 vaccine on Monday. Here's what to know.
A male has been taken to the hospital with serious injuries following a shooting on Sunday night in Toronto鈥檚 downtown east area.
Toronto鈥檚 100 public library branches will be open to the public seven days a week, year-round by July 2026, the city鈥檚 mayor announced on Sunday.
A Calgary MP is collecting names on a petition in hopes of saving the Olympic Plaza bricks.
Tracey Rice's son Dylan Sparks is the reason she has spent the better part of a decade building para powerlifting to becoming a more common sport within the para athlete community.
One person is in hospital with potentially life-threatening injuries after a crash between a motorized scooter and a vehicle.
Last year, seven-year-old Jack was diagnosed with hereditary spastic paraplegia type four (SPG4), a disease that affects less than 0.01 per cent of the population.
A 17-year-old Ottawa driver was caught speeding nearly 90 km/h over the speed limit on Highway 417.
Ontario Provincial Police say a 16-year-old has been charged with second-degree murder after a 15-year-old was found dead at a home in Perth, Ont. Friday afternoon.
As synthetic drugs grow stronger, experts warn that overdoses pose an even greater threat, particularly to young people. Dr. Nicholas Chadi, a pediatrician at Sainte-Justine Hospital, is sounding the alarm about the rising dangers of these substances.
Stem cell biologist Jacob Hanna has received a lot of worldwide attention since his team at the Weizmann Institute of Science in Israel created a synthetic human embryo.
A pedestrian is dead after she was hit by a vehicle early Sunday morning in north-central Edmonton.
Leon Draisaitl scored his second goal of the game 18 seconds into overtime and the Edmonton Oilers beat the Detroit Red Wings 3-2 on Sunday night.
The King's representative to Canada is in Alberta for her first official visit to the province.
With a provincial election announcement expected Sunday, Nova Scotia鈥檚 political party leaders have announced events.
Water service is temporarily shut down near 6135 Almon Street in Halifax.
Queen鈥檚 District RCMP in Nova Scotia is investigating a single-vehicle fatal collision that occurred Saturday on Highway 103 in Port Mouton, N.S.
Winnipeg police are looking for a suspect after they say a man was attacked by someone with a machete early Friday morning.
An estimated 6,000 children died in residential schools, though experts say the actual number could be much higher.
Candidates across Saskatchewan are making their final pitches to potential voters as the 2024 election campaign is quickly approaching its end.
The Regina Thunder fell to the Okanagan Sun in the Canadian Junior Football League (CJFL) semi-finals 鈥 as it attempted to secure a chance at the national title.
On the eve of Saskatchewan鈥檚 provincial election, NDP Leader Carla Beck and her party hosted a final rally in Regina, thanking supporters and sharing a positive outlook ahead of Monday鈥檚 return to the polls.
Ghosts and ghouls put their golfing skills to the test at Merry-Hill Golf Club鈥檚 annual Scary-Hill event on Sunday.
Police are investigating after a Guelph home was broken into early Saturday morning.
Mothers, mothers-to-be and families came together on Sunday at the Womb to Walking Baby Show for shopping, services and fun.
Candidates across Saskatchewan are making their final pitches to potential voters as the 2024 election campaign is quickly approaching its end.
It's been a long month of policy announcements, campaigning, new promises, and speculation leading up to today. Polls are set to close Monday evening, and the outcome will shape the next four years of Saskatchewan's government.
Saskatoon fire crews responded to a major house fire on the 400 block of 24th Street West on Friday evening.
Ontario Premier Doug Ford will be in Sudbury on Monday, his office says.
Millions of Canadians will notice their clocks turn back by one hour on Nov. 3, marking the end of daylight saving time this year.
Former U.S. president Donald Trump has repeatedly referred to CNN anchor Anderson Cooper with a woman's first name in recent days as the Republican presidential nominee focuses his closing message on a hypermasculine appeal to men.
Victor Garber got teary-eyed when he walked into a brunch in his honour Sunday in London, Ont.
Trillium Care in Norwich, Ont. has announced they will be closing their facilities, citing 鈥渁n emergency lack of financial resources necessary to sustain daily operations.鈥
Two new interchanges have opened in St. Thomas, Ont. but one main artery is set to close Monday for construction.
Huntsville OPP and the Special Investigations Unit (SIU) are conducting a homicide investigation after three individuals were found dead in a Huntsville neighbourhood Friday evening.
Bracebridge OPP are searching for two suspects who allegedly broke into a Gravenhurst jewelry store early Saturday morning.
A man was charged after allegedly crashing into a parked OPP cruiser in Tay Township early Sunday morning.
One suspect has been arrested after an armed robbery took place in Windsor.
Police have charged a man with robbery after an incident Saturday afternoon in Chatham.
Donated and reusable household items piled up in trucks outside the Windsor Family Credit Union Centre Saturday afternoon in an effort to divert goods from the landfill.
The majority of mail-in ballots tallied this weekend for the final count in B.C.鈥檚 nail-bitingly close 2024 provincial election went to the NDP, increasing the party鈥檚 chances of clinching a third term.
There were tense moments at a ferry terminal outside Victoria, B.C., on Friday after the lion鈥檚 share of standby spots on an early sailing were claimed by 鈥渁ssured loading鈥 passengers 鈥 leaving regular customers who had been waiting for hours out of luck.
Hulitan Early Years Centre is a brand new, 48-seat childhood learning centre in Colwood. It was built to support Indigenous children throughout the capital region.
More than two years after Alannah Brown and Douglas Barker were found dead north of Penticton, police are asking for help identifying a vehicle they believe was associated with the crime.
Dave Lindsey began growing giant pumpkins to bring a bit of magic to his grandkids' Halloween.
A U.S. District Court judge in Montana has sentenced a 27-year-old man from Kelowna, B.C., to 18 months in prison for using fake names to buy guns with the aim of selling them in Canada.
A tentative agreement has been reached between the City of Lethbridge and more than 900 employees belonging to CUPE Local 70.
The Hurricanes will be happy to be back home in Lethbridge Saturday night after losing their third in a row on the road Friday night, a 4-1 decision to the Broncos in Swift Current.
About 15,000 students are enrolled at Lethbridge鈥檚 post-secondary schools, and now the city is working with those schools to try to find ways to get them s to stick around a while.
A female athlete from Sault Ste. Marie, Ont., achieved two big goals at the 2024 World Triathlon championships in Spain last weekend.
Creditors have moved to take ownership of most of the properties in northern Ontario owned by a group of 11 insolvent companies.
Ontario Provincial Police have been cleared in the case of a woman who crashed her vehicle intentionally while she was high on drugs and fled into the woods earlier this year.
Teams are facing off in a new eastern Newfoundland hockey league aiming to bring competitive play 鈥 and a few extra years on the ice 鈥 for young women in the province.
Investigators found the remains of a 77-year-old American man on Wednesday at the scene of a fire that destroyed a hotel in western Newfoundland earlier on the weekend.
Police in western Newfoundland say a 77-year-old man visiting the province from Kansas is missing after a fire at a hotel in Deer Lake, N.L.
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