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Biography, Part 4:
Fledgling Actor to Rising Star (2000–2002)
by The CillianSite Collective
The next three years marked Cillian's rise within Irish film and his first break into the British film industry. With a series of highly acclaimed roles, he moved swiftly from fledgling actor to rising star.
He began with two short films: Filleann an Feall ("the treachery returns to the betrayer"), which was part of an Irish language film series, and A Man of Few Words. He then took his first (and to date only) stab at scriptwriting, partnering with Sunburn co-star Paloma Baeza on Watchmen. This comedy of errors features Cillian and Barry Ward, another Sunburn co-star, as buddies who witness a crime that could pay—for them. Watchmen was featured at the 2001 Edinburgh International Film Festival and short-listed for a Turner Classic Movies Classic Shorts award.
Cillian in Disco Pigs the film
In 2001, Cillian reprised his role of Pig in Kirsten Sheridan's film version of Disco Pigs. Although he originated this part on stage, he was quick to remark on the differences in the film version: "I tried to have a more contained performance, because the performance on stage is quite physical and quite a large performance. There are only two of us on stage and there's no real set. For the film it had to be more controlled." The intensity of his performance was praised, as was his ability to imbue the unbalanced Pig with complex emotional layers. Cillian's musical talents were also put to good use—he not only sang in the film, but also wrote and performed "So New," a song played over the closing credits.
As Paul in The Way We Live Now
Cillian's career gained momentum with two more leading roles. In Goran Paskaljevic's gothic 1920s fable How Harry Became a Tree, he played Gus, an introverted young cabbage farmer fearful of consummating his marriage to Kerry Condon, thanks to the constant browbeating of his obsessive father, Colm Meaney. In contrast, in the BBC miniseries The Way We Live Now, Cillian embodied the earnest romantic lead. In this period drama, he pulled off a posh English accent while being pulled in two directions by co-stars Paloma Baeza and Miranda Otto.
As Jonathan in On the Edge
2001 ended with the release of On the Edge. In this coming-of-age romance set in a mental hospital, Cillian played Jonathan Breech, a young man troubled by suicidal impulses. As part of his commitment to do justice to the character, and with an awareness of the sensitive nature of the subject, Cillian prepared by reading about depression and meeting with several psychiatrists. On the Edge would go on to receive mixed reviews, but many critics singled out Cillian as a newcomer "to watch."
Cillian began 2002 with a return to the theatre in Neil LaBute's The Shape of Things, which enjoyed a three-week run at Dublin's Gate Theatre. Infused with LaBute's trademark dark humour, the play questioned the nature of art, relationships, and intimacy from the perspective of two American couples. Cillian's character, who he described as "a sort of a geek," undergoes a radical transformation at the hands of his manipulative girlfriend.
As Jim in 28 Days Later...
November 2002 saw the release of the movie that would prove to be Cillian's international breakthrough, Danny Boyle's scary sci-fi smash 28 Days Later... Tongue firmly in cheek, Cillian described the role of Jim as a "killer part" and admitted the attraction of working with Boyle and writer Alex Garland. While 28 Days Later... is ostensibly a zombie flick, Cillian chose to focus on the allegorical elements of the story. He prepared by reading John Wyndham's post-apocalyptic classic The Day of the Triffids and used Jim as a way to explore the lengths people will go to in extreme situations. Cillian's impressive transformation from emaciated wide (and blue)-eyed innocent to unflappable hero showed his capability as a leading man.
The story resonated strongly with audiences. With a production budget of just US$8 million, the film was an instant hit and has since grossed over US$80 million worldwide. As 28 Days Later... neared its U.S. release, Cillian was poised to capture the attention of Hollywood.
