We know Kinds of Kindness is an anthology of three short stories that aren’t connected (technically) but do share a few thematic throughlines. However, there’s also one common thread between all three parts of Yorgos Lanthimos’ film, because the character R.M.
F. appears briefly in every story and each section title includes his name. However, his relevance to the greater project is quite ambiguous.
So, with that in mind, I decided to ask the stars of Kinds of Kindness – Willem Dafoe and Jesse Plemons – about this character played by Yorgos Stefanakos, and their answers only made me more confused...
but, I think that’s the point. Immediately after I asked about R.M.
F.’s role in the critically acclaimed Kinds of Kindness , Willem Dafoe piped up to say he was going to let his co-star take the question. So, to the best of his abilities, Jesse Plemons explained who he thinks R.
M.F. is and how his interpretation of him has changed over time to me, saying: It's tough to say because reading the script, then shooting, so much of it kind of depends on where you are when you encounter the script, or watch it.
And so my opinion evolved and changed throughout shooting it. I don't know. It was really funny, someone that was at the screening in Cannes said, ‘Oh, poor R.
M.F.’ ‘Why?!? Are you kidding.
..what because of his shirt? Because he spilled ketchup or mustard on a shirt?’ The through line? I don't, I couldn't, I don't know.
Can Yorgos articulate that? I don't know..
