Melanie Lynskey quotes:

I like to play the grey areas in life - that's the most uncomfortable place to be. Nobody likes to be in that in-between state where there don't know what's going to happen. There's a lot of tension in that, and a lot of stuff to play with - where it's uncomfortable and awkward and sad and scary.

I was at university and I was studying modern drama and studying English, and I just was like, 'I don't wanna be in this place. I wanna be acting.'

There's not much of a follow-your-dreams kind of vibe in New Zealand or my family.

I read every single review, because I love film criticism and I'm interested.

I feel so grateful when I see a movie and there's a woman who looks somewhat like me. I'm like, 'Thank you, Samantha Morton!' You know, a woman who feels like a human being. That means so much to me.

For a while, I was only being sent fat-girl parts. Seriously? Sometimes I feel like I'm making some kind of radical statement because I'm a size 6.

I guess I've never really had a great desire to be a leading lady, or be seen as an ingenue.

I know a lot of actors have all these expectations and believe that one thing should lead to another thing, and that's probably the right way to build a career. I don't know what's wrong with me - I just don't think like that!

Everybody goes through challenges. There's stuff that happens personally that's challenging, stuff in work that's difficult, disappointments that happen.

I really like 'Girls.' I know everybody does, but I love 'Girls.'

I don't think I've played a lot of crazy people.

I know my mother-in-law would drive two hours to go see a movie that I'm in.

If I could be working every day, I would be.

I think that for me as a person, it's very easy for me to hear, 'It's too difficult.' Or, 'You're not easy to cast.' And, 'You're not beautiful,' and this and that.

I feel weird when I go to the movies and everybody's faces are perfect.

I really like 'Girls.' I know everybody does, but I love 'Girls.

I think filmmakers are always interested in getting the best actor that they can find, the person who's the most right for it.

I used to write stories and poetry, but for some reason I have it in my head that if I'm going to write, I have to write a script.

I was at university and I was studying modern drama and studying English, and I just was like, 'I don't wanna be in this place. I wanna be acting.

The acting life is different than I thought it would be. I love it - it's actually a lot less pressure than I thought it would be.

Even when I'm reading a script where I'm supposed to be looking at the lead role, I'll find myself gravitating toward some small weirdo in a few scenes instead. I'm very instinctive like that and I love the challenge of not having a lot of time to create someone who feels real.

I'm not one of those people who can cry on cue. If I have to cry in an audition, I'm like, 'Okay, let me see what I can do.'

I feel like I'm kind of faking something if I'm talking as myself and putting on an accent.

The interesting thing about acting is using all your own stuff and having some kind of personal catharsis while you're working.

If a movie is received badly, and I'm in only one scene of it, I still feel responsible. I feel like it was my fault at all times. If people were like, 'This movie sucks!' I'd be like, 'Well, that's because I'm terrible.'

I've definitely had times in my life where I've been depressed and not able to do anything at all.

I feel like a character actress - it's where I'm comfortable.

I love festivals because I feel like I'm more of a movie fan than a person who's in the film industry.

I was a kid who didn't have a lot of self-esteem.

I was a very independent teenager.

I'm not one of those people who can cry on cue. If I have to cry in an audition, I'm like, 'Okay, let me see what I can do.

I've done a gazillion readings that have gone on to be movies that are made without me.

New Zealanders can be a little hostile.

People in New Zealand go out of their way to not be impressed by things.

I guess I have a strong constitution.