Mary Elizabeth Winstead on Swiss Army Man: I didn't fully get it the first read through

WE REALLY CAN'T blame the 10 Cloverfield Lane star. Her latest project Swiss Army Man being released across the UAE on iTunes ME, and Video On Demand services on September 30 is pure madness. There's simply no other way to put it.
Written and directed by 'the two Daniels', Daniel Scheinert and Daniel Kwan, the Daniel Radcliffe and Paul Dano - starrer sees Winstead appear as Dano's character Hank's object of desire. That doesn't sound too outlandish does it? However, did we mention Hank is marooned on a desert island, Radcliffe plays his only company - a corpse called Manny who can talk - and the only way the two make it back to civilisation is by utilising Manny's body and bodily functions to form a sort of jet ski? Once back on the mainland, the two must traverse the forest hoping to make it back to actually approach Winstead's character Sarah who has no idea either of them exist. If it sounds difficult to comprehend, it is.
"I didn't fully get it the first read through," Winstead told us over the phone from her home in LA. "If this script were in the hands of anyone else I would have been terrified, but I am a fan of the two Daniels. I almost didn't care what was in the script."
It is this gut instinct, the charming 31-year old Die Hard actor said, which guides most of her career choices. That and seeing with whom she will be appearing.
"To work with Daniel and Paul was perfect. The tone of the film suits them well. I had no idea Daniel was so good at physical acting!
"It's the writing though that I think will be universally appreciated, especially in the UAE. The two Daniels are like big kids so they get away with the gross-out stuff because it's written with such heart. It's about finding your true self and learning to live with your flaws. It is a life-affirming film despite starring a corpse!"
What are your thoughts on your character?
"She changed so many times. We had lots of meetings and at first she had dark secrets and was more involved in the plot. As time went on, though, we felt it was better if she became more of a fantasy. Through the film she's this angel and then you see she's a real person and how would a real person react to these two? Plus she gets the best last line ever!"
What can we see you in next?
"I have quite a lot coming out this year. A TV show, Mercy Street, just premiered and got picked up for a second season. Then there's Brain Dead, which was apolitical satire. That just finished its run and then I'll be appearing in Fargo."
david@khaleejtimes.com