‘Disclaimer’ Editor on His Shorthand With Alfonso Cuaron
Alfonso Cuarón, known for his work on films like “Children of Men” and “Roma,” has made his mark in the world of series with AppleTV+’s “Disclaimer.” For this project, he enlisted the help of editor Adam Gough, with whom he had previously collaborated on “Children of Men” and “Roma.”
“Disclaimer” is based on the novel of the same name by Renée Knight and follows the story of Catherine Ravenscroft, a journalist played by Cate Blanchett. When Catherine receives a novel from an unknown author that exposes her darkest secrets, she is forced to confront her past. Sacha Baron Cohen plays her husband, Robert, and Kodi Smit-McPhee plays their son, Nicholas.
Gough found episode 5 of “Disclaimer” to be particularly compelling as it introduces Nicholas’ perspective and delves into the entrapment of catfishing through an Instagram sequence between him and Stephen, played by Kevin Kline. The episode also marks a shift in the editing style as it cuts between two perspectives, adding to the tension and complexity of the storytelling.
In editing the finale of the series, Gough had to navigate a crucial plot twist that reveals the truth about Catherine’s past. The episode flips the narrative on its head, showing that she was actually a victim of sexual assault rather than a perpetrator. Gough used jump cuts and rough editing to convey the intensity of the assault sequence while maintaining a focus on Catherine’s perspective.
Throughout the editing process, Gough and Cuarón relied on their strong collaboration and minimal communication to tackle difficult and emotional scenes. Gough recalls a similar experience while editing the birth sequence in “Roma,” where they were able to communicate effectively without words, focusing on the task at hand.
As the series comes to an end, Gough notes the importance of the final moments between Catherine and Nicholas, highlighting the emotional journey of the characters. The closing scene, with a long push in the track leading to a white screen, signifies a definitive punctuation and resolution to the story, leaving viewers with a sense of closure.
Overall, “Disclaimer” showcases the skillful editing and storytelling prowess of Gough and Cuarón, creating a gripping and emotionally resonant series that keeps viewers on the edge of their seats until the very end.
