Antonio Banderas Had a ‘Really Paranoid’ Crisis Before Filming ‘Up Against It’

Antonio Banderas experienced a significant crisis of confidence just prior to filming began for the movie "Up Against It." The incident took place during a table read, where Banderas admitted he became paranoid about himself and his performance. Director Trudie Styler played a pivotal role in calming Banderas down and instilling confidence in him, a quality she believed was crucial for the actor.

The film centers around Alvaro, a divorced father played by Banderas, who finds himself in an unexpected partnership with his ex-wife Saffron, played by Eva Birthistle. Their daughter Rose, battling cancer, now has a potential chance of receiving a stem cell donation from a new sibling. To address the film's complex themes of comedy and heavier medical drama, Styler and Banderas had their first discussion about the project over a Zoom call.

Styler emphasized the importance of having a cast capable of navigating both comedic and emotional scenes effectively.

Styler, whose sisters are both nurses, developed the film's concept over seven years before deciding to relocate the setting from New York to England to highlight Britain's National Health Service. She and Banderas had to strike the right balance between humor and the emotional struggles of the characters. Banderas attributed much of his success to his rapport with co-star Birthistle, stating that getting along well as colleagues greatly facilitated the filmmaking process.

Despite their limited off-screen time, they quickly became friends and delved deeply into the backstory of their characters.