Brad Pitt - The Siskel & Ebert Interview (1995)

Summary

In 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

00:00

🎬 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.

05:03

🌟 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.

10:06

🚀 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.

Keywords

💡Bikers

Bikers in this context refers to motorcycle enthusiasts or riders. The script suggests a scene where bikers and various people gather, possibly in a liberating or unconventional environment where they feel comfortable expressing themselves freely, as indicated by the phrase 'take their bras off.' It illustrates a theme of freedom and non-conformity.

💡Brad Pitt

Brad Pitt is a renowned Hollywood actor mentioned in the script. His mention serves to highlight the pressures of fame and the public's fascination with celebrities. The script discusses how he can't walk the streets of New York without attracting a crowd, indicating the loss of privacy that comes with stardom.

💡Stardom

Stardom refers to the state of being famous or a celebrity. The script uses Brad Pitt as an example to discuss the burdens and challenges that come with being well-known, such as the inability to move freely in public without attracting attention.

💡Acting

Acting is the profession of portraying characters on stage, television, or film. The script discusses the beginnings of an acting career, the learning process involved, and the importance of sincerity in acting, which is cited as a strong point for the actor being interviewed.

💡Honesty

Honesty is the quality of being truthful and sincere. In the script, the actor mentions that honesty and sincerity are important aspects of his personality and acting style, which were instilled in him from a young age by his family.

💡Thelma and Louise

Thelma and Louise is a film mentioned in the script that had a significant impact on the actor's career. The script describes the audition process and the positive experience the actor had, which led to a life-changing professional opportunity.

💡Tender

Tender describes a gentle, sensitive, or affectionate quality. The script refers to the actor as being very tender, which could relate to his acting style or personal demeanor, as well as his approach to relationships and interactions.

💡Fairness

Fairness is the quality of being just, equitable, and impartial. The script mentions a character who values fairness and gets upset when things are not done fairly, indicating a theme of moral integrity and the importance of justice.

💡A River Runs Through It

A River Runs Through It is a film title mentioned in the script. The actor discusses the character he played and the theme of seeking peace in life, which is a central message of the film and reflects on the human quest for inner tranquility.

💡Bachelorhood

Bachelorhood refers to the state of being a bachelor, typically a man who is unmarried. In the script, the actor expresses his dislike for the constraints of bachelorhood, suggesting a preference for freedom and independence.

💡Interview with the Vampire

Interview with the Vampire is a film title mentioned in the script. The actor discusses his discomfort with certain roles or settings, such as being in an office or playing a vampire, which makes him feel out of his element compared to more natural environments.

💡Generational Identity

Generational Identity refers to the shared characteristics, experiences, and values of a particular generation. The script touches on the challenges of the actor's generation, feeling lost and trying to figure out their identity, which contrasts with previous generations that had more defined struggles.

💡Toughness

Toughness can refer to physical strength or mental resilience. The script discusses the actor's discomfort with playing tough characters and the desire of his peers to project an image of toughness, which may be a response to societal expectations or personal insecurities.

💡Success

Success is the accomplishment of an aim or purpose. The script includes a theory that people who become very successful have an early awareness of their potential for greatness. The actor reflects on his own journey and the feeling that he is still in pursuit of something bigger.

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]