Interview: Jack Thorne, BAFTA-winning writer of A Long Way Down
The screen writer talks Travolta, taps and extra-terrestrials
First record you ever bought
Jive Bunny’s ‘Swing the Mood’. Yes, I know.
Last extravagant purchase you made
I just bought a house with my wife Rach and we’re currently doing it up. And it turns out taps are really expensive. So, taps.
First film you saw that really moved you
ET. Still does.
Last lie you told
I told Rach that I didn’t like the really expensive taps. When the truth is, I just didn’t like the expense.
First movie you ever went on a date to
Romeo and Juliet. She tried to kiss me. I pushed her away and concentrated on the film.
Last time you cried
Last Sunday. Can’t tell you why.
First thing you do when you’ve got time off work
Turn on the TV.
Last great meal you cooked
I did a chicken thing with herbs and chorizo and stuff last week. I cook every night: it’s part of the marriage pact. I don’t really do fancy.
First crush
Kelly McGillis.
Last book you read
Boomerang by Michael Lewis. It’s brilliant.
First great piece of advice you were given
Be good. From ET.
Last time you were starstruck
Hanging out with Pierce Brosnan on the set of A Long Way Down was quite an extraordinary thing to do. The interesting thing is, he never behaves like a star. He’s a really nice man.
First thing you’d do if you ran the country
Reverse as many of the cuts as possible; in particular, give central funding back to our councils. They’re being starved of money and it’s brutal what’s happening to local services.
Last meal on earth
Chicken and chips.
First song you’ll sing at karaoke
Pulp’s ‘Common People’.
Last time you exploited your position to get something
I got a ticket for the last night of Jumpers for Goalposts at the Bush Theatre.
First time you realised you were famous
I’m not famous.
Last time someone criticised your work
Someone criticises something I’ve done more or less every day on Twitter. Writing is one of those jobs that everyone has an opinion on. I don’t think this is a bad thing.
First three words your friends would use to describe you
I’d hope they’d describe me as a Big Friendly Giant. I suspect I’m angrier than that.
Last time you made an impulse buy and regretted it
I tend to be over-cautious. Probably taps. I’m slightly obsessed with taps.
First concert you ever attended
Wonder Stuff on the Idiot Manoeuvres tour. 1994, I think.
Last time you bought someone flowers
Yesterday.
First object you’d save from your burning home
I’d like to say our wedding album. But probably my laptop.
Last funny thing you saw online
John Travolta’s Oscar introduction for Idina Menzel prompted Slate to run a feature on ‘Travoltafying your name’. Mine is Jia Thompseen.
First job
Party entertainer at McDonalds.
Last person you fantasized about
I’ve only been married six months. My wife, Rach. I hope this will still be the same in 30 years. I suspect so. She’s a very beautiful woman. I’ve done far better than my pay grade.
First word you spoke
No.
Last crime you committed
I was taken to court for trying to travel on a child ticket to Glastonbury ‘97. I was, and still am, 6ft5.
First song at your wedding
It was from Meow Meow Revolution: a beautiful song called ‘Be Careful’.
Last song at your funeral
'End credits from ET' by John Williams. I’d like that as my coffin entered the fiery embrace.
First person you’d thank in an award acceptance speech
Rach probably; she’s made my life a lot better.
Last thing you recommended to someone
Get married. It’s good.
First thing you think of when you wake up in the morning
Shit. How am I going to write that scene about x involving y?
Last thing you think of before you go to sleep
Shit. I’ve screwed up that scene about x involving y.
A Long Way Down goes on general release on Fri 21 Mar.