During a recent appearance on "The View," acclaimed actress Glenn Close shared insights into her experience portraying JD Vance's grandmother in the 2020 film adaptation of his memoir, "Hillbilly Elegy." Close recounted the Vance family's openness and willingness to share personal details, which helped her embody the character of "Mamaw." She described spending time with individual family members, delving into nuances like Mamaw's mannerisms, laughter, and impact on the family dynamic. Close expressed gratitude for the family's generosity in sharing these intimate details. However, she also remarked on Vance's political evolution, admitting her surprise at his current conservative stance. This subtle observation, coupled with her known Democratic leanings, hinted at a potential divergence in viewpoints. The conversation on "The View" also included some lighthearted commentary from co-hosts Joy Behar and Sunny Hostin regarding Vance's political shift. Behar likened the change to "The Invasion of the Body Snatchers," while Hostin referenced Vance's remarks about "childless cat ladies." The film "Hillbilly Elegy" itself faced criticism upon release, with some reviewers feeling it inadequately represented the working class. Some critics argued the film downplayed the book's conservative undertones. Close, in previous interviews, had maintained that the film was not intended to be political. Variety's chief film critic, Peter Debruge, even suggested that the film might have inadvertently played a role in Vance's political rise, comparing it to the impact of "The Apprentice" on Donald Trump's career. Vance's 2016 memoir achieved bestseller status, sparking conversations about the socioeconomic challenges facing Appalachian communities and shedding light on issues like addiction and violence within the working class.

Actress Glenn Close appeared on "The View" to discuss her role in the 2020 film "Hillbilly Elegy." (Screenshot/ABC/TheView)

Sen. JD Vance (R-Ohio) at a campaign rally in Waterford, Michigan. (Brandon Bell/Getty Images)

Vance's 2016 memoir "Hillbilly Elegy" achieved bestseller status. (Bill Tompkins/Getty Images)