Brad Pitt - The Siskel & Ebert Interview (1995)
Summary
TLDRIn this engaging transcript, Brad Pitt reflects on his acting career, discussing the challenges and lessons learned along the way. He talks about his early struggles, the importance of sincerity in acting, and the impact of his family's values. Pitt also shares anecdotes from his roles in films like 'Thelma & Louise' and 'A River Runs Through It,' revealing insights into his character motivations and the significance of failure in shaping an individual. The conversation delves into his comfort with playing tough characters and the influence of actors like Sean Penn, highlighting the theme of authenticity in portraying complex roles.
Takeaways
- 😀 The script discusses a place that attracts a diverse crowd, including bikers, and a sense of comfort and freedom is associated with it.
- 🎬 Brad Pitt reflects on his career, highlighting the burdens of stardom and the public attention it brings, especially in New York.
- 🏆 He shares that his parents were not initially aware of his decision to leave college to pursue acting, and he only revealed it later after starting to get acting jobs.
- 🎥 Brad Pitt admits to not knowing how to act initially and that his early mistakes are documented on film, which he finds amusing and motivating.
- 🌟 He believes in the power of learning and sincerity as a strong point in acting, attributing these qualities to his upbringing and family influence.
- 🤔 The actor expresses discomfort with the idea of lying and the guilt it brings, suggesting a strong moral compass.
- 🚀 The story of how Brad Pitt got the part in 'Thelma & Louise' is highlighted, emphasizing the importance of the role in changing his professional life.
- 💖 He discusses the tenderness of his character in 'Legends of the Fall' and the spontaneous creation of the hand game scene with co-star Julia Ormond.
- 🔍 Brad Pitt is intrigued by characters' weaknesses and failures, believing these aspects define them more than their strengths.
- 🎨 The actor talks about the importance of finding peace in life, as depicted in 'A River Runs Through It', and the struggle to achieve it.
- 👨🦳 Brad Pitt acknowledges the role of looks in opening doors in the film industry but emphasizes the importance of responsibility and talent beyond appearance.
Q & A
What is the appeal of the place mentioned in the beginning of the transcript?
-The appeal of the place is not explicitly mentioned in the transcript, but it is implied that it is a place where people, including bikers, feel comfortable and free to express themselves, even to the extent of removing their bras.
How did Brad Pitt's parents react when he left college to pursue acting?
-Brad Pitt never told his parents that he left college for acting. He told them he was going to school, and it's suggested that his father might have suspected something was up, but the actual reaction is not detailed in the transcript.
What was Brad Pitt's initial experience in acting like?
-Brad Pitt's initial experience in acting was not technically proficient. He admits to making mistakes that were documented on film, but he finds it motivating to watch his early work when he loses faith.
What does Brad Pitt consider a strong point in his acting?
-Brad Pitt considers sincerity as a strong point in his acting. He believes it is something that came easily to him and was instilled in him by his family.
How did Brad Pitt feel about lying in his family?
-Brad Pitt feels bad about lying in his family. He mentions that he would feel too bad and start feeling guilty, which is a trait that he believes his family instilled in him as a child.
What was the significance of getting the part in 'Thelma & Louise' for Brad Pitt's professional life?
-Getting the part in 'Thelma & Louise' was significant for Brad Pitt's professional life as it was a role that changed his career. He felt confident about getting the part and it turned out to be a success.
What was the improvisation during the hand game scene in 'Thelma & Louise'?
-The hand game scene in 'Thelma & Louise' was an improvisation that came about because the actors needed a segue. Gina Davis came up with the idea to help establish a friendship between the characters.
How does Brad Pitt relate to the character he played in 'A River Runs Through It'?
-Brad Pitt relates to the character in 'A River Runs Through It' as someone who is searching for peace. He believes that life is about trying to find peace, and the character had a unique way of covering this quest.
What does Brad Pitt think about the importance of looks in the acting industry?
-Brad Pitt acknowledges that looks can open doors in the acting industry but do not keep one in the room. He feels uncomfortable discussing looks as he believes they should not be the sole determinant of success.
What was Brad Pitt's experience like during the filming of 'Interview with the Vampire'?
-Brad Pitt felt out of his comfort zone during the filming of 'Interview with the Vampire'. He mentions feeling tight and needing to adjust to the different environment compared to his usual comfort in rural settings.
How does Brad Pitt perceive the generation of actors he is a part of?
-Brad Pitt perceives his generation of actors as being in a state of flux, trying to figure out who they are. He suggests that they feel a bit lost and are affected by the changing world around them.
Outlines
🎬 Early Acting Struggles and Family Values
The first paragraph delves into the early challenges of an actor's career, with a focus on Brad Pitt's journey. It discusses the initial lack of acting skills and the learning process documented through early roles. The actor reflects on his father's influence, emphasizing the value of sincerity and the importance of learning from mistakes. The narrative also touches on the personal qualities that have contributed to his success, such as the ability to convey genuine emotions and the impact of family upbringing on his character. Additionally, it highlights the importance of understanding a character's weaknesses and failures as a means of defining them more profoundly than their strengths.
🌟 Fame, Responsibility, and the Pursuit of Authenticity
The second paragraph explores the actor's discomfort with the emphasis on physical appearance in the entertainment industry and the role of looks in opening doors. It contrasts this with the belief that opportunities should be more equally distributed. The actor shares a childhood conversation with his mother about responsibility and the importance of being more attentive to one's privileges. The discussion then shifts to the impact of the film 'Legends of the Fall' on the actor's career and the comfort he finds in roles that align with his rural background. The paragraph also touches on the introspective nature of the actor's generation, their struggle with identity, and the desire to maintain authenticity in a world that often seeks to categorize and define them.
🚀 Anticipating Greatness and the Continuous Journey
In the third paragraph, the actor contemplates the idea that successful individuals often have a premonition of their future greatness from a young age. He admits to having felt a sense of being prepared for something significant, yet also expresses that he feels he has not yet found his true purpose or peak. The conversation hints at the actor's humble beginnings and the sense of displacement that came with sudden fame and success. It concludes with a reflection on the ongoing journey of self-discovery and the pursuit of personal growth beyond external achievements.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡Bikers
💡Brad Pitt
💡Stardom
💡Acting
💡Honesty
💡Thelma and Louise
💡Tender
💡Fairness
💡A River Runs Through It
💡Bachelorhood
💡Interview with the Vampire
💡Generational Identity
💡Toughness
💡Success
Highlights
The appeal of the place described as a gathering spot for bikers and free-spirited people.
Brad Pitt's rise to stardom and the burdens that come with it, including not being able to walk the streets of New York without attracting a crowd.
Pitt's secretive start to his acting career, leaving college without his parents' knowledge.
Learning from early acting mistakes documented on film and using them as motivation.
The importance of sincerity in acting and how it was instilled in Pitt by his family.
Pitt's discomfort with dishonesty and the emotional impact of lying within his family.
The story of how Pitt landed the role in 'Thelma & Louise' that changed his professional life.
Pitt's tender approach to acting and the improvisation of the hand game scene in 'Thelma & Louise'.
Pitt's character's sense of fairness and how it resonates with his own values.
The concept of failure shaping an individual more than success, and Pitt's interest in characters' weak points.
Pitt's role in 'A River Runs Through It' and the character's journey to find peace.
Pitt's discomfort with the superficial focus on looks in Hollywood and the responsibility that comes with it.
The significance of 'Legends of the Fall' in establishing Pitt as a leading man.
Pitt's comfort in playing tough characters and the desire to appear unaffected by external influences.
The generational struggle of Pitt's peers to find identity and purpose in a rapidly changing world.
Pitt's admiration for Sean Penn's ability to play unlikable characters and explore their depth.
Pitt's belief that successful people often have a sense of their destiny from a young age.
Pitt's ongoing journey to find his purpose despite external success and recognition.
Transcripts
I'm told that you come to this far along
the bikers and all kinds of people
people would take their bras off and all
that what is the appeal of this place to
you a place like this I'm just
comfortable slink down home music and
down on people you know a little feeling
at home I guess I'm Brad Pitt stardom
carries a burden after all he's been
compared to everyone from James Dean to
Robert Redford today he can't walk the
streets of New York without attracting a
mob but his career didn't start out that
way the story is that your parents
didn't know that you took off from
college no I I never told him you know I
never told him exactly I told him I was
going to school although I have a
feeling my dad knew he knew something
was up and I called him six months later
when I start doing some extra work now
you didn't technically know how to act
no and all the mistakes are documented
on film but I kind of get a kick out of
because listen if anyone does want to
get started and they lose faith one day
all I gotta do is watch one of the
things I hopped on in the beginning
given his bad give us an example
uh let's see this this hormone called
cutting class I like it cuz it's a
testament that you can learn anything
which is kind of something my dad
instilled me you know you can pretty
much learn anything you want to do what
would you cite as a strong point
something that came easy this I can do
in acting just I can do
I think sincerity I think
said to general for you I think you've
hit the number-one thing about you your
honors
again that's coming from my family I
think something they've found it into me
as a kid and uh what would happen if you
lied in your family I see I just feel I
would just feel too bad I feel I start
feeling bad you know did you ever oh
sure I did you know you see what you
figure out what you get away with once
you can and what was the punishment ah
listen there's no worse punishment and a
look from the father I was disappointed
in you know I don't care how many months
I have to stay my room that one look you
know crush me let's go back to Thelma
and Louise tell the story of getting
that part that would change your life
professional life I went in red latina
and she was really good to me and really
was good to me and it was just as she
said very fun afternoon you know hit the
ball around
something says everybody down on the
floor I actually didn't hear told about
a week later it didn't matter I wasn't
worried it wasn't sweating it even
though something that was very important
to me I just felt like this one was this
one's gonna work out it's gonna work
right and and it did for a sex thing
you're very tender
are you aware that very tender very
tender do you remember how you start
with her and this couldn't been any
script you play the hand game right all
right that was something was that lived
at the moment Gina came up with that
actually because we needed some kind of
segue we felt we're we're just becoming
friends first you know getting to know
each other and getting to take notice
and each other mmm
it's very sweet yeah I thought so I felt
that at the time I see in your
characters well your guy is looking and
he wants things to be done fair and
really get steamed if it's not fair
does that resonate with you I'm what
what truly shapes an individual more
than what they've succeeded that but
it's what they failed at and how they've
made adjustments from there that's why
that's always getting back to characters
that's very interesting to me you know
what are their weak points what do they
not understand I think that defines a
character more than what he's capable of
it let's go to a river runs through it
or I think the character deny everything
life is about ultimately trying to find
peace that's it it's that simple and
this guy had a genius way of covering it
but uh no idea how to get there never
eventually the rats got him you know
bachelorhood
I just flat don't like the house rules
murder I'm Tyson Redford did an amazing
job with that film he made us better
than we were or definitely myself
absolutely you know that the thing that
you say about your character is what is
true of most of the characters the
signature characters the ground of
effort is played great surface hollow
inside there's a great look this wood
handsome all-american look and hollow
inside remember the end of the candidate
what do I do now well that goes back to
that
I'm not sure it's an area I really want
to get into actually huh
was it the phrase the all-american great
looks is that what made you shut off
listen I get very uncomfortable with the
whole looks conversation because it's
true that looks to open doors you know
they don't keep you in room but they
open doors and uh when I think of
opportunity and the people who don't get
the opportunity quite as easily you know
I wrestle with that one a bit and uh it
was something I asked my mom when I was
little you know cuz you see that people
are treated the same you see it and you
know it
and she after asked him several times
told me one evening she said well that's
because you have more responsibility or
not that I have I'm comfortable with
this one just that uh um be more
responsible with it make sure you paying
attention I think was she was trying to
say to me and don't take it behind
Johnny that's a movie ignite the career
wasn't even aware of entrances as a as
an entity until the until legend
[Music]
your entrance in legends of the fall
that was common see I wasn't even aware
of entrances as a as an entity and fell
until legends when I saw here comes this
guy on a horse behind
it's the plains and then I go oh oops I
seen I would also say that for a guy
from Missouri to enter a movie that way
had to be kind of a kick huh I
definitely could well the whole movie
was a kick in that way
um that's what I'm most comfortable get
me outside you know put me in a suit in
an office and you can see or put me in
in an interview with the vampire gear
and I I kind of tighten up on you but
I'm the country yeah feel very
comfortable there so why do interview
with a vampire just to see you know just
a sinking do it for one it was just
about a guy trying to figure out who the
hell he was you know what what am I here
for you know and uh that was interesting
to me what were you feeling at the time
that led you to seven I just had this
feeling about looking at myself
contemporaries just my friends we're at
this spot where uh getting cocky or
something like we had the answers you
know coming for my little start but
we've been coming from and and I saw
that in this guy you know he's so sure
of everything that he spoke up but he
was actually nothing you mentioned your
generation or your group we were lucky
to have the world in flux in the late
60s everything was changing but it
identify us you guys seemingly have
nothing to bump up against in this world
but that's why we don't know who you are
I would say if anything we are is trying
to figure out who we are not sure we
know you know listen I'm not though
the spokesman for ways to view efficient
home but I think it's a generations very
affected and feels a little lost you
know so I think that's why all the tough
guys the thing with gangs claimed the
gains and cling to guns and it's funny
when when I was starting acting I
remember and I fell into this as well
but we all wanted to be the Nero or make
you work you know I'm a hick redneck
from Missouri I'm trying to be familiar
you know so I'm going you know that
whole that look right he does that
because yes he's a fraud right here get
this pencil Mac and I'm doing this like
I can't do this but I see I see this uh
strapped all with the own guys because
we want to we want to have that
toughness and being able to pull the
strings and not having not being
affected not letting people get to us I
think maybe I think just something there
right right off the cuff you talk about
playing tough characters I immediately
think of Sean Penn he's about as good as
your group as there is right when I
watch the young guys I've watched myself
I need the Brecht influences you know he
was the one guy who was around our age
and we could look at and send your head
check out the ugly you know when you say
check out the ugly I think what you're
saying is and what you admire is that
he's willing to play unlikable guy's
unlikable guys let's see what's behind
them I'd given some feeling let's
understand a little bit of it it's very
interesting but he's just he's the most
powerful thing we've had I feel and
definitely every everything now can be
traced to him is what I say I have this
theory that people who become very
successful actually do know it's going
to happen to them when they're very
young they know that they're special
special I am not real comfortable with
the word special but somewhere this
obvious just having this conversation
with someone who said exactly the same
thing and yes there was that feeling as
a kid that something something bigger
again you're being prepared for
something big but the funny thing is is
it now I don't even feel like
I've found it yet yeah now first people
would say if if what's happened to you
isn't it
this is pretty good yet yeah listen I
understand that that's coming that's
coming from the outside looking at it at
the Shelby exterior all the things it's
spinning around you went you know a
little round face boy and I left
everything I knew and with displacement
I drew the winning ticket I hit the
lottery
[Music]
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