At the
suggestion of director Mike Mills, McGregor had brought his 81-year-old co-star
to Barney's in Los Angeles to pick up a scarf for Plummer's elderly gay
character in their film "Beginners." But Plummer had other designs.
"Christopher only wanted to get skinny black jeans," recalls
McGregor.
"That was his main goal in life. When we got there, he asked
where the jeans department was, and off he went to find skinny jeans."
That one of the finest living interpreters of Shakespeare and one of the few
remaining greats of classical acting was hell-bent on procuring a hipster
staple might seem odd. But then again, Plummer has seldom acceded to the
stereotypes of old age.
"I'm glad (my ambition) is still there," said
Plummer in a recent interview. "If it faded, what's there to live for? It
makes you appreciate other things if you keep working at your job and you love
your job. Too many people in the world are unhappy with their lot. And then
they retire and they become vegetables. I think retirement in any profession is
death,
