Elisabeth Shue is still at it

MANILA, Philippines - There are no big or small roles for actors or even right mediums for them. What matters is, they find an avenue where they can share their artistry to entertain the public. Elisabeth Shue’s body of work including Back to the Future, The Saint and Leaving Las Vegas is proof to this. She has crossed over from film to TV with ease and grace.

“I’ve been doing this for the past 25 years now,” says Elisabeth in a recent phone interview with Southeast Asian writers. “Probably, I’ve done three to four comebacks (in my career). I don’t feel (working for CSI) as a comeback any- more. I feel the rhythm to work a little bit more... There’s the rhythm of working and not working throughout my career.”

Elisabeth is definitely in the acting mode these days as the blood platter expert Finlay of CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, which airs Wednesday nights at 10 with replays every Thursday at 1:50 p.m. and Saturdays at 9:55 p.m. on AXN. Her enthusiasm to portray a role — no matter how remote it is to real life — always drives her to deliver a strong performance.

“She is a very strong-willed character,” Elisabeth says of Finlay. “She is somebody who likes to get what she wants. Sometimes, she pushes the boundaries of what is appropriate in terms of trying to get the information she needs or the case she wants to solve. She presses people’s buttons.” Elisabeth recalls that Finlay got into trouble in the past because of her unorthodox way of solving crimes. “She is very good at her job. She is very child-like in a lot of ways,” the actress adds. “She loves the drama, she loves the chase.” This is somewhat her character’s signature stamp in piecing together the crime puzzle.

What twists and turns do CSI followers expect to see in Finlay’s life?

“I would say I’d be as surprised as yours,” Elisabeth replies. “We definitely have conversations with the writers. They are very open in listening to our ideas. (Doing CSI) is a complicated job. We work for nine days. Actors have to wait before shooting (and knowing) where their characters are going. I know — it be- comes clearer now — there’s no romantic relationship between Russell (Ted Danson) and my character, even though they have this wonderful chemistry and they have history which is not necessarily romantic. You’ll find out he is happily married.”

Elisabeth shares that “a wonderful episode” will happen in the middle of the season. Finlay will solve a crime and go back to her past. She wishes that Finlay should be given more human interaction to perhaps add more texture to her character.

Aside from the action and drama CSI is known for, the col laborative and creative work on the set is something Elisabeth looks forward to every taping day.

“It’s very strong,” she shares. “I really adore all the ac- tors on the show. I know it’s such a big cast. Everybody is so unique that I look forward to working with all of them. What is wonderful about the show is that you’re always working with every actor. In every scene, you’re with a different cast member. It makes a fun experience for an actress working with different personalities. I always look forward to working with Ted for obvious reason because of our (work) relation- ship. We are fiery and we have so much energy together.”Although she is always apprehensive about acting on TV because it means more time being away from her children, Elisabeth likes the challenges that come with it. “Every episode is like a little one-hour movie. Every crime we investigate is different to engage in. I don’t feel every episode is the same. It stimulates me creatively,” she says. “It is a difficult work because you have to learn the technical language we, actors, use day in and day out.” Elisabeth is happy with her work and so are her two daughters who “have so much fun watching the show. They come to the set to visit me and to know the other actors. I can’t help but let them watch it. And it is fun for the family — the three of us, (comprising) the CSI girl club,” adds Elisabeth, who also has a 15-year-old son.

“I have no idea where my career is going,” she says. “It’s been up and down. It’s been all over the place. I cannot assume it is going anywhere... I’m just grateful. I would (also) like to do more comedies.