Part 2/6:
The actor describes a connection to the material that was undeniable. Growing up in a small-town environment, he resonated deeply with the character he portrayed, Atticus Finch. Recalling fond memories of his childhood—climbing trees and rolling in rubber tires—he recognizes that, while his father wasn't a lawyer, his role as the local pharmacist mirrored the close-knit community dynamics depicted in the film. This familiarity allowed him to navigate the character's emotional depth with apparent ease, almost like "swimming downstream."