Joaquin Phoenix on the Oscars: “I think it’s bullsh-t. I think it’s total, utter bullsh-t”

Joaquin Phoenix

Joaquin Phoenix appears in a feature for the October issue of Interview magazine to promote The Master (which, by the way, is still in theaters), and we had some requests for coverage in yesterday’s Amy Adams story. You know that I’m happy to oblige when it comes to Joaquin, so here we go.

The interview was conducted by Elvis Mitchell, who is a big-time film critic that gets lots of perks like being interviewed during the Hunger Games special features and was also (interestingly enough) fired from Movieline last year after it was discovered that he reviewed Source Code based upon not watching the movie but upon an old script of the movie. Somehow (and I don’t know how this happened), his career has recovered, and he’s still making big bucks in some new film curating gig. That’s not really important, I guess, but it’s interesting that he was partnered up with Joaquin for this talk. Here are some excerpts:

No good actors, only good directors? “I’m very fortunate because I’ve worked with these amazing directors that I’m able to do that with and really find the truth with, because that’s what they’re after as well. But if the director’s not after it, then forget it. There aren’t f–king good actors. It’s all the director. It’s so funny when people say it’s good actors–and actors really believe it and sh-t. You’re completely hostage to the director. So the director is the most important person to me. I work for them. My job is to help them fulfill their vision. But I like being an employee. I like making somebody happy–and if they’re not, then I’m crushed.”

He’ll never be happy with his performances: “Here’s a guarantee: If I’m happy about something that I’ve done, then it’s going to be very bad. That’s a guarantee. Without fail, if I ever go onto a scene and say, ‘I’ve f–king got it,’ then it’s the worst thing in the world. [T]hat’s one of the things that I hate more than anything: nailing it. He nailed it. Well, that guy came in, he said, ‘Ladies and gentlemen of the jury,’ and . . . boom! He f–king nailed it. And part of me is impressed with that–one of my favorite actors can f–king nail it–but it’s just something that I don’t want to do. I can appreciate that ability in other people, but I don’t want to be that actor. I don’t want to nail it. I want to go into the courtroom and feel like I might lose the case. I want it to be scary–and it still is. I’m almost 38. I’ve been acting for 30 years. But I still get nauseous the day before and have weeks of incredible anxiety. They have to put f–king pads in my armpits because I sweat so much that it just drips down my wardrobe. For the first three weeks of shooting, I’m just sweating. It’s pure anxiety, and I love it.”

On The Master script: “I was just confused. You know, you start a movie out and you read the script and you’re so nervous and you just want to please your director so badly. But the first time I sat down with Paul [Thomas Anderson] and Phil [Seymour Hoffman] and we went through a scene, I was convinced that they weren’t going to hire me. I was convinced it was over. I was like, ‘I can’t believe it.’ I got up at five o’clock in the morning and f–king studied through the processing scene on the boat because I knew we were going to rehearse that. I had to try and get it down. It literally felt like an audition. So we went in for the next rehearsal and I was like, ‘I’m basically auditioning today,’ because the day before I was pretty sure Phil was like, ‘This is not working,’ and Paul was going, ‘I know. I don’t know what to do.’ No joke because, dude, for real, here’s the thing: Phil is such a g-ddamn genius. So you’re sitting there with this f–king genius, and he starts talking, and I’m like, ‘I can’t follow this guy. I’m not saying anything after him!’ It was incredible to be around him. So I was like, ‘F–k, man. They ask me to do this movie, and we do rehearsal, and it’s so bad and Paul is probably doubting it . . .’ But, yeah, then we just went back and rehearsed again, and that day I think we talked a bit more and maybe he was like, ‘Okay, I’ll give him a shot.'”

PTA hired him because of I’m Still Here: “Maybe it was just like, ‘Oh, well, this guy’s obviously a moron. I’ll cast him.’ Sort of just, ‘This f–king monkey will do anything. I’ll just let that monkey sling sh-t at himself. That will be great.’ And that was essentially what I was. Near the end of the movie, he was just calling me Bubbles.”

When he claimed to be done with acting: “I thought Casey [Affleck] and I had actually achieved ultimate success with I’m Still Here, if your definition of success is completely destroying your career-which was somewhat the intent. But doing that movie was one of the best things that I’ve done and that I’ll ever do. It’s the best thing I’ve ever done in terms of helping me grow as an actor and having a deeper appreciation for acting. But for a while, it was bad. I was so worried. Casey and I were getting into big fights about it-really intense-and I was like, ‘F–k, I’ve worked for years and this movie cost me money and I’m going to lose my house.'”

On awards season: “I think it’s bullsh-t. I think it’s total, utter bullsh-t, and I don’t want to be a part of it. I don’t believe in it. It’s a carrot, but it’s the worst-tasting carrot I’ve ever tasted in my whole life. I don’t want this carrot. It’s totally subjective. Pitting people against each other . . . It’s the stupidest thing in the whole world. It was one of the most uncomfortable periods of my life when Walk the Line was going through all the awards stuff and all that. I never want to have that experience again. I don’t know how to explain it–and it’s not like I’m in this place where I think I’m just above it–but I just don’t ever want to get comfortable with that part of things.”

He doesn’t want huge paychecks: There was this period after I’m Still Here when I was getting a lot of big-money offers because they were crap things. I think a lot of people were like, “He’s f–ked. He’s desperate.” These offers were, like, a lot of money–maybe not for other actors, but definitely for me. But I don’t want that power. I don’t want $20-million power.”

[From Interview Magazine]

Well, I guess we don’t have to worry about listening to Joaquin campaign for an Oscar this awards season, right? Harvey Weinstein will be so disappointed to hear this news, and it’s really too bad — it might have been more interesting than, say, George Clooney’s dull as snot campaigns. Then again, Joaquin has been through it twice before (he was nominated for Best Actor in Walk the Line and Best Supporting Actor for Gladiator), and he’s not interested in faking enthusiasm for a gaudy golden statuette. Of course, I love the Oscars because, you know, pretty dresses, but I can see why Joaquin wouldn’t be excited by that prospect either.

On a more refreshing note, hearing about Joaquin’s anxiety and distress over his performance in the processing scene of The Master is quite surprising because — in a lot of people’s minds (including my own) — that was the very best part of the movie. It sounds like the huge amount of work that went into the scene really paid off in the end.

Joaquin Phoenix

Joaquin Phoenix

Photos courtesy of Interview magazine and WENN

You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.

84 Responses to “Joaquin Phoenix on the Oscars: “I think it’s bullsh-t. I think it’s total, utter bullsh-t””

Comments are Closed

We close comments on older posts to fight comment spam.

  1. lisa2 says:

    I love him as an actor. But seriously why all the hate. Like the Oscars or not. No different then any other awards event. If he hates it so much then pull your name from the list and don’t participate. I think he talks too much about being anti establishment. If you seriously feel that way then get out of the mainstream and stick to indie movies or do some stuff out of hollywood.

    I don’t think the Oscars matter the way they use to. Mainly because the picks have been so wrong for so many years. Great performances, memorable performances. And for many of the winners it has been the kiss of death. They have gone on to do nothing much. So not winning for many actors/actresses is winning. Maybe it is the journey to the Oscars that should be recognized. Not the actual win. Look at the winners last year. What are they really doing now. Are they still being talked about. mmmmm yeah but not really.

    • mel says:

      I’m sorry, I get your point, but he’s been doing nothing but indie films. The Master is an indie and he’s upcoming projects are all indies. I think the last time he made a mainstream film was Walk the Line (?).

  2. Anna00 says:

    I love him, he’s a great actor.

  3. marie says:

    He’s a fabulous actor and I would watch him in anything..

  4. Sam says:

    When I was younger and naive about the world, I thought the people at the oscars picked who they thought was best and then decided who the winner was. Now I know that these people actually campaign for it (and other awards, obviously) I feel totally differently about it.

    • Naye in VA says:

      Same here, so I totally understand why he wouldn’t want to participate in a popularity contest. I really respect that he’s about not generating crap content either. Good for him. He doesn’t need em.

    • aang says:

      Yes, the year Goopy won for a crappy performance in a meh film I was done. That was some bulls***.

      • normades says:

        pfff…everyone knows Cate Blanchett was robbed!!

      • S_____ says:

        Oh my God yes!!
        That was the year I lost all interest in the Oscars.
        Robert Duvall’s loss to Jack Nicholson the year before opened my eyes, then Paltrow’s win over Blanchett sealed the deal.

      • I'm going to Guam! says:

        I will never forget Cate Blanchetts face when Goopy goop won and the way she turned to the person next to her and I am sure I could read her mouth saying “I told you that bitch would win. Nepotism”. Ah, she looked gorgeous with her full red lips too.

      • giddy says:

        …which she won because she was bonking Harvey the pig.

    • Liv says:

      Joaquin should have won the Oscar for Walk The Line, he was so good!

  5. Nev says:

    Lighten up.

  6. RuddyZooKeeper says:

    Now this was an interview worth reading. I know I learned a truth about this man. Not PR crap or spin. But it wasn’t the kind of TMI that ruins the experience of watching his work. Rather, I think this interview has just enhanced any JP film or work I will ever watch again. Much appreciated. Other actors should take note.

  7. yellowshaba says:

    The oscars just like any awards show is usually a big popularity contest..that’s always been my pet peeve more so with music awards. So ,many talented, pure talented artists all get overshadowed and overlooked by the fricking popular kids and big names..bah humbug

  8. Phil E Stein says:

    The Oscars are a bit like the presidential elections. Most people know that it’s all a bunch of BS but they put their cynicism to the side and get caught up in it anyway.

  9. dooliloo says:

    Love that guy since Gladiator!

    Haha well he reminds me of George C. Scott who branded the Academy Awards ceremonies a meat parade, a public display with faked suspense for economic reasons… Dude refused the Oscar nod 😀

    Well I think just for that he’s either banned or gets the Oscar nod, much to his delight/despair

  10. Ranunculus says:

    An Oscar nomination more and more does not mean a great performance, just knowing the right people in the industry. Unfortunately that’s the case IMO. I still haven’t watched all PTA movies yet, only recently I saw his first movie Hard Eight, which was a great, great movie with AMAZING performances by Philip Baker Hall, John C. Reily, Gwyneth Paltrow and Samuel L. Jackson plus a killer cameo from Philip Seymour Hoffman. The guy knows how to work with actors and I guess actors love to work with him. Hope he does his next movie with Downey Jr based on Inherent Vice. Yeah a PTA movie is always something very special!

  11. carrie says:

    if he’s honest and nominated,he won’t go to all the award shows (SAG,Oscars,NBR,Golden Globes)

    if Mo’nique is able to win ,he could win

    • Justyna says:

      I think it’s not really his choice. He is obliged by the contract with the production company and he has to do all the interviews, photoshoots, award shows and stuff. He might openly hate it but he has to go or he will pay and will be discredited in the industry. Christian Bale is the other actor who openly hates all the movie promotion stuff and he is very straightforward in his interviews – he always makes it clear he won’t talk about anything he doesn’t feel like talking because he is forced to do the interviews and cannot decline but nobody can make him enjoy it.

  12. Mira says:

    Yaaaaaaah! Thank you, Bedhead for covering Joaquin’s interview. I love the cover shot. The interview is very interesting – On Master, I’m Still Here – but it’s getting more news because of him snubbing the Oscars. I see his point about the Oscars, but receiving an Oscar may (or may not) impact the entire team who has worked on the film. I’m not sure about this in terms of actual numbers but there’s definitely some financial gain with an Oscar behind an actor’s name. Then again, it’s funny that so many actors bust their ass to win one and after winning one they go on to make several shitty films. And anyway the list of those who shouldn’t have won is longer than than those who should have. Looking at the last few years, it’s not Academy awards anymore. It’s the Weinstein awards show. I’m neutral about his Oscar comment for now. He better not turn up if he’s nominated and I’ll back his sentiment then. I can’t hate him if he turns up because he’s my kind of crazy. Have always loved him. But seriously, he should stick to his words and not turn up if he’s nominated.

  13. normades says:

    People said Mo’Nique was killing her Oscar chances by asking for appearance fees to show up at film festivals etc…
    she still won.

    I still think this is JP’s year. People will enjoy making him uncomfortable, but I wish he would just loosen up and take it more in stride. He is such a beautiful trainwreck.

  14. judyjudy says:

    I heart him.

  15. L says:

    To be fair, he didn’t say the oscars were totally BS. He said the entire awards season was total BS. Which is is. SAG, GG, Oscars, People’s Choice, Spirit awards-it’s a month of complete and utter BS.

    But as As ludicrous as the Oscars may often be, there are many examples where good work was recognized despite “controversies” that swirled around it.

    And there are some folks that are claiming that bashing the awards seasons would actually HELP his oscar chances. http://insidemovies.ew.com/2012/10/18/joaquin-phoenix-oscar-season-total-utter-bullshit/

    • normades says:

      Great article and I tend to agree. I think JP is gonna have to suck it up because he’ll def get noms galore.

      “Frankly, the thing that is even more poisonous to an Oscar campaign is wanting it too much.”

      This is so true. Clooney and Dicaprio seem to picks roles with only that in mind. They really, really want the best actor award…and the academy is not giving it up.

  16. erika says:

    he is awesome! he was great in the master

    i luve that movie ‘im still here’

  17. LAK says:

    PLEASE…this is his oscar campaign!!!
    Being anti-oscars will make him visible, he’ll talk about the craft, as he is doing above. It’s the male equivalent of a previously beautiful actress having to chubb up or uglify herself for a role.

    Weinstein starts his Oscar campaigns around now every year. Here’s JP to tell us all just how much he hates it all. In a very visible publication. next up Anne Hathaway for the torture that was weight loss/hair off for les Mis.

    If he truly didn’t want one, he would pull his name from the ballots or even as part of his working contract. And not do very visible interviews. THE MASTER already has Hoffman, Amy Adams and PTA to sell the film. look at Danny Belchair [sp?]from last year. he didn’t want it, didn’t do press, didn’t get an oscar. Simples!

    • Renee says:

      This. A world of this. And it’s exactly what I can’t stand about Joaquin. His whole demeanor perpetually says “Look at me…I’m so tortured and shy. LOOK AT ME. I’m such an introverted artist.”

      So here he starts his (anti)Oscar campaign. After the art/nervous breakdown/rampant douche attack that was I’m Still Here, this was probably his best approach. Small role in a PTA movie got Cruise’s career back on the rails once upon a time, too.

  18. Emma says:

    Oh, please. I hate actors that try to act so above it all. If he were nominated he’d show up. If he won he’d give some pretentious teary eyed speech. The Oscars might not get it right every time and the campaigning is a bit tacky but an Oscar is the greatest accomplishment for an actor. Any actor would love one and they are lying if they say otherwise.

    • vic says:

      Exactly right. He campaigned hard for an Oscar for Gladiator and was noticeably upset when he didn’t win. Sour grapes?

    • stellalovejoydiver says:

      “It was one of the most uncomfortable periods of my life when Walk the Line was going through all the awards stuff and all that. I never want to have that experience again. I don’t know how to explain it–and it’s not like I’m in this place where I think I’m just above it–but I just don’t ever want to get comfortable with that part of things.”

      Tbf he doesn´t say he´s above it, just that he won´t campaign any more.

    • P.S. says:

      Well,he said that he is not “above” it, didn’t he?

      “I don’t know how to explain it–and it’s not like I’m in this place where I think I’m just above it–but I just don’t ever want to get comfortable with that part of things.”

      • giddy says:

        Precisely. He has much more humility than what one expects in a movie star. Its not that he’s above the “wanting” — but he knows the HUGE cost of groveling for fame. It’s one thing to grovel (as he descibes in the interview, trying to audition and thinking he wouldn’t get it) for a part but another thing to debase oneself for fame. He understands that the “work” is the prize.

        Have always admired his talent. Now I actually like the man.

  19. V4Real says:

    I love it when actors can be so candid in interviews. I often find myself saying the same thing about all award shows (music and films). But I wonder would JP have called it bullshit if he had won one of the categories he was nominated for.

    Anyways he’s a great actor and I like his work. It’s also good to hear another actor be open about his anxiety.

  20. DenG says:

    Never has made sense to pick ONE “Winner”. Every year there are several outstanding actors / actresses but they all can’t be rewarded. Only ONE. Take a look at the list of actors / actresses who’ve never WON. Pitiful, pathetic.

  21. Mia 4S says:

    Oscars are a marketing tool, a commercial. That’s fine though, it’s fun. No one should take it that seriously positive or negative. People who believe Oscars are about “best” are like people who believe movies that make the most money are better than those that make less…incredibly naive.

  22. mk yarwood says:

    He’s working an angle, whether he realizes it or not. He’s probably mid-life cracking up about the death of his brother, and is at war with his love of acting/hate of the business.

  23. Jayna says:

    When Cissy Spacek got a best actress award for The Bedroom, I was shocked. First of all she not business being nominated for Best Actress, when it was obvious she was a co-actor as a supporting acctress. Her has had say more airtime than her and did more and I don’t even think he got an award.
    That’s when I realize the studio sets it up and campaignes for best winner.

  24. T.C. says:

    I love him X100000 more after this interview. My man is just keeping it real. Love you babe.

  25. carol says:

    lotta people w/ a lotta problems

  26. Me says:

    If he wins an Oscar, he will scream into the mike “This world is bull$%^%!” just like Fiona Apple at the Grammys or whatever that was. I can just see it now. Yeah, I think not campaigning is kind of his campaign.
    Also, this makes me think about River Phoenix and that just gives me the sads-Joaquin was there when River died.

    • LAK says:

      I think of River every time i see keanu’s face.

      I feel sad for both of them.

      • Mira says:

        I think of River too every time I see Keanu. Funny that there’s a post on Keanu and Joaquin today. Yeah, if JP wins, he should just say “I’m Still Here” and walk off the stage. Although he better not be there if he’s nominated. It’s soul-crushing to say this, but I’d still love him.

      • LAK says:

        @Mira – that would be cool. maybe do a Brando and send a native Indian lady in traditional dress to refuse the oscar as he did for his best actor win for THE GODFATHER. That i can respect.

    • Mourning the Death of Music says:

      I was going to mention how his words echo Fiona Apple’s.

  27. Sookie says:

    Good for him. It’s all politics anyway. The “cool kids” campaign for homecoming king/queen!

  28. mln76 says:

    I think he’s a bit off and a bit too honest for his own good and sweet and I get the sads thinking about how hard it must have been to lose his brother River….but still supporting a film through awards season is part of the job of being an actor yes Clooney, and Pitt,and Affleck campaign but so do Philip Seymour Hoffman and Daniel Day Lewis, and Colín Firth. Its not sole politics it is about building awareness and promoting your work…he finds it hard but its still a but its part of what he is supposed to do as an actor in a bigger film.

  29. Mar says:

    The OSCARS are corny. Sandra Bullock winning was my last straw. I do like the Golden Globes because it celebrates outrageousness

  30. bns says:

    Well, there goes his win. With the I’m Still Here fiasco and now this, they’re not going to give it to him. You were right, Eve.

    However, I do agree with him and I’m disappointed most of the time: Jonah Hill? Sandra Bullock? Natalie Portman? but I still tune in every year.

    • Eve says:

      Yeah…when I saw the headline, I said “well, there go his chances”. I guess if he won an Oscar I’d be more satisfied with his victory than himself.

      Too bad, because it’d be so damn deserved. The man is simply brilliant.

  31. lori says:

    I personally love his work. And as far as Oscar goes…..I rarely watch the actual show. But I never miss the red carpet. And I don’t think i’m the only one.

  32. Gia says:

    I’m Still Here was insane. I’m of the opinion that the scene in the limo, after his Letterman appearance was totally legit. He completely freaked out and ran out of the car, away from the cameras and jumped into a bush, crying about what he just did. I think at that very moment he realized that he took the ‘role’ too far. A realization that he may have (and did) completely destroy everything he had ever worked for. That right there was a glimpse of reality. And that movie was horrible. So not worth it. I still love JP though. And will watch whatever he’s in. Even the one with Eva Mendez **shudder**

  33. truetalk says:

    He is sooooo artistically tormented. Great actor and a beautiful man to watch anyway.

  34. Rhiannon says:

    I like him as an actor, but seriously the trampire could have given the same interview and would have gotten a lot of hate for it. Just sayin…

    • lisa2 says:

      You are right. And there are many others that if they had said this or even something more mild they would be hung out to dry as ungrateful for the opportunities they had gotten. They would be called untalented and lucky to have gotten work. Well every actor is lucky to get work.

      but different folks different take on what comes out of their mouths.

    • Apples says:

      LOL, nooooooo!

      The Trampire. Can. Not. Act.

      His whole discussion supposes that he could feasibly be nominated and win an Oscar (he has already been nominated twice). Therefore, not pretentious or delusional.

      Whereas, she talks about how foolish other actor’s work and approach is while most rational adults think her acting sucks.

      Get the difference?

    • Amy says:

      I agree. Joaquin Phoenix and Kristen Stewart curse just as much. And while Joaquin is explaining why he doesn’t get jazzed by the Oscars, it could come off as sounding ungrateful and that he is complaining about some awesome opportunities he has had in his life.

      If Kristen Stewart did this, she would be crucified.

      But yes, Joaquin Phoenix can legitimately act (we all thought he had gone off the Deep End before it was revealed I’m Still Here was a weird mockumentary).

      • giddy says:

        Oh please… why would you compare him to her??? JP is an ACTOR. He has given some incredible performances. She’s a wannabe. How has her life or her acting compared in any way to his? She pretends to be some tortured artist — he’s the real deal.

        Is it possible to look at a real actor and his individual qualities and NOT mention that lip-biting middle finger thrusting twit?

  35. ichsi says:

    I fell in love with him in Gladiator and he’s one of the best actor of out times. And apparently like so many other geniuses before him he has some issues (not talking about the Oscar thing, that’s completely understandable). Still, even if you haven’t asked: I’d hit it. Hard!

  36. GirlyGirl says:

    He’s right about the Oscars. Any adjudicating body that nominates a stinker like “Extremely loud and incredibly close” for “Best” anything has to be political.

  37. oliveo says:

    Love love love him. I think he’s one of the few actors out there who’s really and truly some kind of brilliant, eccentric artist. I thought his performance in The Master was amazing.

  38. Diana says:

    I just love him, whack and everything. ♥

  39. taxi says:

    Imo, he takes himself way too seriously. If he believes what he says, why do interviews & appearances at all. He comes off as a cynical & bitter person.

  40. TrustMeOnThis says:

    He was incredible in The Master. Funny he credits the director with everything – I heard PTA interviewed on Fresh Air and he said he was amazed with where JP took the character and the ideas he had… he said he didn’t want to say anything to break the spell, and that he tried to get everything in the first take because JP was so inside the character. I think both of them were brilliant (PSH too, and Amy Adams). I hope they get lots of noms. And I could stare at that ocean shot just forever.

    • Mira says:

      He’s right when he says it’s all about the director. Film-making is a director’s medium, television is a writer’s medium and theatre is an actor’s medium. PTA’s writing about Freddie and Dodd were solid to begin with. Good writing gives actors a very solid base to build on it. Joaquin took it to another level with his ideas on the character. Everything starts and ends with the director’s vision of the film. Joaquin and PSH have said in other interviews that PTA had written so many scenes and in such detail that it was only a matter of choosing the scenes that they wanted to shoot and breathing life into PTA’s writing.

    • NYC_girl says:

      I went to see The Master 2 weeks ago and caught an midday show so the theater was almost empty. I walk in, sit down, and for about 20 minutes I have no idea what I’m watching. It’s the scene where he takes off on the bike. Then, a few minutes later, the credits roll. I was like, WTF is going on? I then realized that the movie was showing in 2 theaters, and I walked into the wrong one. So, basically I saw the last 35 minutes FIRST, and missed the first 30 minutes. Regardless, I thought their acting was amazing. PSH is a favorite. Highly recommend seeing him in “When the Devil Knows You’re Dead” with Ethan Hawke. You need to take a shower after that one.

      Regarding The Master, I didn’t adore it, but I loved their performances and JP’s was heartbreaking. He transformed his face and body in a way I can’t explain and it was painful to watch.

      • TrustMeOnThis says:

        That’s really funny. The beginning was a bit slow for me… it showed the end of WW2 and sailors coming home, celebrating and getting drunk on ethanol from the mortar fuel because they had nothing else. Also sets up his sexual desperation. He gets a couple of jobs and fails at both (dept store photog and fieldworker). He’s pretty desperate with nowhere really to go when he encounters Dodd, which is also when it really gets interesting. You probably caught it by then, when he gets on the boat. Tony Ortega has some stuff that was cut from their first encounter over on Ortega Underground if you’re curious.
        I totally want to see this again. Hope it is still showing in 70mm next week!

  41. kate says:

    oscars ARE a carrot. all the campaigning is ridiculous. its terrible. Its actually fun to watch the desperate campaigning than the actual awards shows now. Last year it was Clooney, this year: LOOKING AT YOU MR. AFFLECK. Desperate!

    JP is a weirdo “artist”. Evidently not afraid to even piss off his distributor Harvey F’ing Weinstein. I dont mind his rant….after all it is true. He is a brilliant actor…he can get away with it. WHat i dont think is cool, is that because these people trusted you with the lead in their very expensive movie, as part of the job, you need to fulfill some of your more uncomfortable or shitty parts of the job. NOt complying says you are “above it” and you look like a prima donna monster.

    Just like any job. Cant love every part.

    • giddy says:

      Yea. Anyone who disses Harvey the pig is my kinda guy.

      How many sorry-azzed actresses will be forced into wearing Marchese to show their fealty to the pig-ster? Wonder if the ones who wear Georgina’s uniformly unflattering messes do it so they DONT have to fornicate with the pig-ster. Boy, talk about Sophie’s choice…

  42. kate says:

    oscars ARE a carrot. all the campaigning is ridiculous. its terrible. Its actually fun to watch the desperate campaigning than the actual awards shows now. Last year it was Clooney, this year: LOOKING AT YOU MR. AFFLECK. Desperate!

    JP is a weirdo “artist”. Evidently not afraid to even piss off his distributor Harvey F’ing Weinstein. I dont mind his rant….after all it is true. He is a brilliant actor…he can get away with it. WHat i dont think is cool, is that because these people trusted you with the lead in their very expensive movie, as part of the job, you need to fulfill some of your more uncomfortable or shitty parts of the job. NOt complying says you are “above it” and you look like a prima donna monster.

    Just like any job. Cant love every part.

    BTW, I LOVE in his interview when the interviewer asked if he was looking for honesty, and JP says: “What? Sexually?, No.” LOL he is such a loon.

  43. Polina says:

    I love Joaquin – and I miss River badly 🙁

  44. Polina says:

    I love Joaquin – and I miss River badly!

  45. Madison says:

    I recall when he was nominated for Walk the Line, you could tell that he was uncomfortable and didn’t seem to want to be at the awards shows. I get the impression he loves acting but hates the PR and campaigning he has to do, too bad JP it’s a part of your job and given how great you are as an actor unfortunately you will have to experience all that awards show BS again and again.

  46. LucyOriginal says:

    I think he is a very good actor, but I so miss River. He was my favorite actor from his generation.

    I saw the Master a while ago and I just stayed until the end because of JP’s performance. Anyway, he sounds a bit neurotic to me…Maybe I read too much into his interview.

  47. d b says:

    Elvis Mitchell totally trolled Movieline! He’s perfect for Joaquin! Love Phoenix the actor, maybe that’s why I hope he won’t be making the rounds during awards season. I’m totally over feeling that anything actorssay or do is just So Important, it’s all usually just whiney shyt from a bunch of millionaires….

  48. msw says:

    I am a huge fan of his. I remember reading an interview pre “I’m Still Here” where he said he hated the process of acting and he wasn’t going to do it anymore if he got too sick of it. He said something like he didn’t like who he became or something like that. Well, sounds like he has come to terms with his creative process, which sounds excruciating… We all benefit. I love him.

  49. manta says:

    I see his point about not being comfortable with the campaigning part. I have the feeling that’s the case for some other actors, even if they’re not as vocal as Phoenix.A few years back, V. Mortensen delivered a masterful performance in The Road and was labeled a possible runner for the statuette.I was surprised that Weinstein didn’t start his campaigning machine and read somewhere that Mortensen was not interested in playing the pony in the race, having already experienced it with Eastern promises.Ed Harris has been nominated ,what, 4 or 5 times, and never won, never really campaigned as much as some others. I really think Phoenix is not alone here,interested in his craft, not so much in the horse race.

  50. A Fan says:

    He is polarizing, to say the least.

  51. mia says:

    Maybe he hates the polical nature of the Oscars.
    But like many said already, I’d watch anything he is in because he changes the whole dimension of the movie i.m.h.o.

  52. vegan says:

    of course it’s bull, I realized it a long time ago, when nicole kidman won.

    I love this Vegan, he’s so real, so different from all the fake Hollwyood