I sort of don’t have words for this new Andrew Garfield interview with Vulture. He’s promoting 99 Homes, the film set in the wake of the real estate crisis circa 2009. It’s supposed to be a pretty dark, political film about socio-economic inequality and how the system is stacked against people living in poverty. Garfield starts the interview by saying, “Why the f–k am I doing this? Coming in today to do interviews, I’m like, Why? I know that I’m an actor and it’s part of the job, and I feel lucky I get to do that, but with the interviews, it’s such a weird thing. What do I have to say?” It gets more angsty from there. You can read the full piece here, which I would recommend because there’s some interesting back-and-forth which doesn’t translate well in these highlights. Highlights:
After Vulture coherently describes the film: “Why don’t you just do this interview? You’re saying the right sh-t….Just attribute what you’re saying to me.”
The gilded prisons: “I do believe that films like this are a part of the slow change that every movement undergoes … and it’s always f–king slow…But I think awareness is being raised all the time. There are so many people now who seem to be onto them, onto [Rupert] Murdoch and [Donald] Trump, and to whoever those folks are who are governing the system that isn’t serving the have-nots. I don’t believe it’s serving the haves either, because they’re in their own gilded prisons. There’s this culture of separation that’s been created, and it makes me feel sick to walk around big cities and to know the struggles of those who are the least served by the system. The only way things do change is if everyone comes together. It takes everyone to lend who they are, and for me, it’s through storytelling and from being able to talk about the powerless feeling that I’m living in and asking the question, “What power do I have? And then how do I act upon that?”
On Donald Trump: “Scares the sh-t out of me, too. Yeah, I don’t have an answer. Of course I don’t. But I know I’m upset, I know I’m deeply offended by our culture as it stands.”
Whether he feels like the culture is hostile to him: “Yes. I’m not accepted. None of us are accepted in this culture. We’re only accepted if we are … well, name it. White. [famous, heterosexual] … Handsome, charming, charismatic, thin-enough eyebrows to be beautiful, but thick enough to still be masculine. We are told constantly we’re not enough, we’re told constantly that we don’t have enough, we’re told constantly that we’ll never be enough. It’s that dangling-carrot thing. That was my experience with the Spider-Man thing. It’s like, “Oh, f–k, my life is now great!” But in fact, I’m still f–ked up in my own ways, and insecure, and scared, and don’t really know who I am. Celebrity is the new religion, as far as I can see, along with money, power, status. It’s all the same umbrella — the seductive forces of evil, really.
His earnest desire: “I sincerely want to help create beauty in the world and move a culture of separateness back towards community. I really, really do, and I think art is a powerful way of doing that. I hope this film is a little step towards that in terms of a conversation. It may be an indictment of all of us.”
I’m not offended by Garfield saying “I know I’m deeply offended by our culture as it stands.” He was asked specifically about Donald Trump and I think that comment was mostly about how terrifying it is to see Donald Trump do well in the GOP field. But this sort of offended me: “I’m not accepted. None of us are accepted in this culture.” That coming from a white heterosexual dude is… not great. I understand that he was trying to make a larger statement about what he feels “culture” demands from everyone (an unattainable perfection), but it just struck me that he is a white man with enormous privilege play-acting this idea that he struggles too because his eyebrows aren’t perfect.
Photos courtesy of WENN.
So basically now that he doesn’t have to actually try to sell a huge Spiderman movie he’s back to saying exactly what he really thinks… which is whiney.
true, lol.
He usually comes off as thoughtful and talented, though pretentious at times. But this interview is such an eye roll, you can’t help but crack up. Like the things he’s talking about bother me too, but he’s so actor-y in the execution it’s hilarious.
he seems super bitter about spiderman. that’s why i love jake g (well, one of the reasons) he never ever openly complained or sounded bitter about not making it as an action hero. he just moved on. it’s not like garfield isn’t doing good stuff either, didn’t he just make a film with scorsese??
Bitter is the word for sure.
He has grown in my estimation. He is talking about the gap between rich and poor and how important it is to make films that deal with this theme.
Exactly. Plus, the questions he’s being asked on this promo tour (bc of 99 Homes subject matter) have been all political. It’s been a very long serious press tour with journalists asking deep questions about the various themes in the movie and about what Andrew has learned about himself. He’s speaking honestly, not giving those fluffy Hallmark Card answers and every jumps all over him b/c he’s not farting sunshine & rainbows? “omg, he’s so whiney! why is he so negative? how dare he have actual feelings that I don’t agree with!” I love what what person wrote on another site “Actor tries to speak honestly, with insight. Jezebel journo assumes he’s in trouble, unwell!!” I guess we just prefer our celebrities talking about peeing in sinks and watching them stuff marshmallows in their mouth.
Damned if you do. Damned if you don’t. If you’re positive you’re a phoney. If you’re negative you’re whiney. But regarding media and culture, if bothers you that much you can switch off from the media. It’s not like anyone is forcing you to watch TV, get on the net or look at magazines and newspapers.
@Mispronounced
EXACTLY 100% right regarding the first part. which is what he was saying when he said ““I’m not accepted. None of us are accepted in this culture.””
I’m not sure what you were saying with the last part though about turning off the TV and media.
Not going to go into all this stuff but just saw 99 Homes, great stuff, fabulous performances by Garfield and by Michael Shannon and Laura Dern, go see…
Wow what a pretentious and insufferable dirtbag.
” ‘I’m not accepted. None of us are accepted in this culture.’ That coming from a white heterosexual dude is… not great.”
LOL.
Yeah. No secret that I can’t stand this guy but I have no shade to throw at him regarding what he says here about Trump and our culture in general.
He sounds like such an angst-y hipster though that I have to just laugh. For what it’s worth, he strikes me as a thoughtful person who is probably in the wrong industry. Because of that reason, I don’t foresee him having a lasting career, despite being relatively talented (if you can tolerate annoying).
EDIT: LMAO @ Bridget and Luca’s comments. And here I was trying to be nice!
He’s starring in that new Scorsese film though which has been Marty’s baby for years…and if that’s a hit he’ll keep on truckin’. I mean I get what he’s saying but I keep thinking “posh white British dude…try and picture being a woman or a person of a color and then reevaluate.” He’d be ripped apart if he was a woman or POC for this interview or one of his many other antics…during the Sony hacks it came out that he blew off some of the Sony big wigs at some huge meeting for Spiderman.
I’m excited for that movie. Read the book years ago. Benicio del Toro was attached for a while, but I don’t know if he still is. God, I hope so. I’m not excited to see angry little Andrew Garfield, but I’ll stomach it. The book – an historical fiction set against the backdrop of real events and people — is fascinating, compelling, heartbreaking, and ultimately heroic.
@Div He blew off a huge Spider-man meeting? It was a World Cup dinner in Brazil that Sony (sponsor) was hosting. Soccer. I love how the internet twisted the story that it was some important Spider-man meeting about TASM 3
I like the interview especially how he is saying your insecurities doesnt go away just because you get cast as a superhero
But of course its completely weird that he thinks he is not in a position of great privilege.
As far as not having a career I think you are wrong, he is talented and he was already getting good reviews on stage in London way before he came to Hollywood so he will always have a career. He is not some random actor who got fame through teen franchises. He’s is every bit as classically trained as your Hiddles, Cumbers and Hardys. He will be fine.
RE: your last statement. I could maybe see that, but he has to start playing the game better. He’s terrible at being a movie star. He can’t keep commitments, he’s a terrible self-promoter and he doesn’t have a great attitude. Talent can only take you so far in Hollywood when you’re not a good schmoozer or ass-kisser.
I could see him having a career onstage maybe.
I think little Daniel Radcliffe has had all the same sorts of feelings – about the industry AND the state of society – as Garfield is clearly having.
I hate to kick someone who’s clearly very unhappy, even if they are being an arse. But y’know. If you want a template of how a NICE GUY goes about dealing with this shiznit with a bit of grace, there’s DR. And a not so nice guy? Hi Andrew.
I feel bad for being mean now. There taking the mick, which I usually do. And there’s just aiming a kick, which is what I’ve just done.
Ho hum.
He was winning prizes as best newcomer on the stage here in the UK when he was just out of drama school. He held highly in regard by the directors thats why i think he will be fine. The only time i have heard about him not keeping commitments was in regards to promotional stuff. He’s meant to be very committed to his craft. But you are right to be a movie star you also have to be supreme ass kisser. I think being a character actor might be a better fit for him.
@Sixer-YES! I like the Radcliffe comparison very much. Yet I adore Radcliffe, mainly because he is humorous and he can make fun of himself. He strikes the right tone between rebelling against the standard Hollywood nonsense yet coming across at entirely humble.
@Leah-I know you like him. I do think he’s passionate about acting, but there’s something about him that just comes across as ungrateful to me. Eh.
Daniel Radcliffe is adorable. I can’ t stand the Harry Potter franchise, but DR always seems laid back, unpretentious and humble, especially when he talks about his alcohol problems. And whenever the topic is the fame after the big franchise, he always sounds grateful for the opportunity: even when he says that he would like to move on, he is always fine with talking about it and, most of all, giving the credit to Harry Potter for his current career.
Andrew Garfield sounds like a bitter, jealous, ungrateful jerk who thinks that he is the poor thing surrounded by people whose only reason of existing is to stop him from having a bright future! I just cannot stand him. I am not an expert about his movie roles, but the couple of times I have seen him acting, he didn’ t seem particularly good either. As I said in another post, he is not that dissimilar to Orlando Bloom when it comes to talent and charisma, with the only difference that Orlando Bloom doesn’ t sound like a smug, self-entitled hipster-jerk whenever he talks.
I just can’t with him. He’s such a special snowflake artiste. It isn’t that he’s not allowed to have an opinion, but it’s like whiney and misunderstood is his default setting.
SO.
F*cking.
Whiney.
It’s like he just can’t help himself.
i think he’s sensitive, which, fine. but the whining has to go, everyone should stop whining in fact. it’s the worst. it’s something you should do at times with your friends/family and then let it go.
To be quite honest i find his complaining in this interview more relatable than Pattisons constant whinying. I mean i agree with everything Garfield said apart from this notion that he is not accepted.
Pattison whines a lot but isn’t really saying anything apart from “Twilight sucked, i am an artiste, not a teen heart throb”. At least Garfield seems to think about the wider context of art and society. Of course Pattison is much funnier, so its easier to be charmed by him, which i get.
@Leah- Agree that Pattison does the same sort of stuff but he wins me over because he’s so self-deprecating–that’s what endears me to him. Whereas Garfield just comes across as so pretentious. I think he’s probably just a serious and (as ell said) sensitive guy in general. I think if he lightened up a bit and didn’t take himself so seriously then I’d like him more but everything with him is just so damn HEAVY.
I *do* enjoy it when Garfield shades Pattinson – they used to be friends but Garfield was super snobby about the Twilight stuff. It was very clear he didn’t think Pattinson measured up.
@Kitten His recent interviews have been heavy b/c of the subject matter of 99 Homes, it’s hard to joke around with a serious subject matter like that when people are constantly asking you sociopolitical questions and that’s the theme of every interview. Pattinson doesn’t get asked questions like that so it’s easy to give fluffier answers and joke around all the time. I know you’re not a fan so you probably haven’t seen that many Andrew Garfield interviews except for the ones that get posted here that get picked apart to spark faux internet outrage. Yes, he is a serious, sensitive guy but contrary to public belief he does have a sense of humor. It was clearly evident during the two TASM tours which was a lot more fun b/c well, it’s Spider-man! And in recent interviews which had a lighter tone, you do see his other side. The Josh Horowitz MTV/Happy Sad Confused interview was great & the Buzzfeed interview (look up Buzzfeed Ikea Chair AG) was funny too. Of course, those links never get posted here, b/c Kaiser & this site hates Andrew Garfield for some reason …
I’ve seen plenty of Garfield interviews. It took Emma Stone for him to not look insufferable – that’s busting out the big guns.
@Bridget I’ve pretty much seen/read every interview Garfield has done and I’ve never seen him diss Robert Pattinson/Twilight. Can you show me an actual legit link (ie: not Star Magazine)
I have no problem with his comments. He’s right, we as a culture are chasing the wrong things and a lot of people are unhappy. In fact I think it’s great to see celebrities saying that just because you’re rich and famous it doesn’t magically make you feel happy, loved or accepted.
It is how I read his commentaries
Clearly he is unhappy actually and his anger is deeper than just against the movie world
No, I see your point too. I think the problem was the execution of his comments were a bit self-involved and unaware. But some of his points are definitely on target.
The issue isn’t with the content of what he’s saying, it’s the fact that he’s almost always got something negative to say, and he’s always misunderstood. At this point it’s pretty clear that he had a lot of coaching from the folks at Sony to at least be somewhat pleasant while he was Spiderman.
+1
I don’t accept that mustache.
He sounds like an angry mess.
Moving on.
Yes, there is a lot of underlying anger in him that may be deeper than his involvement in the film industry. I don’t know anything about his background because I have never liked the guy enough to care.
He’s so oblivious to the real struggles of people right now. Immigrants, black people. Has he heard of #blacklivesmatter? And here he is feeling sorry for himself because he doesn’t feel adored at the very moment? How dare he say “I’m no accepted” as more and more black actors speak out on the discrimination they face in Hollywood? All the stuff actresses have been speaking out on too.
I mean, who attacks Andrew garfield, who makes fun of him? Nobody. He’s not a Hollywood pariah. He’s one of the most privileged young actors right now. This little tantrum is just that, a tantrum. The quality of movies, and opportunities this guy will get in his career will always be much better than those actors of color will ever get. So what’s his complaint? That we didn’t care for his Spiderman reboot? He needs to shut up.
If you read the whole article — and others he’s done recently — it’s pretty clear that he’s aware of how lucky he is by comparison. In fact, when you have a tendency toward depression, this can actually make things worse: realizing you have “nothing to complain about”, that others have it far worse, that you’re wasting this enormous privilege just feeling sorry for yourself.
And for what it’s worth, you don’t know that “nobody” attacks him. Public opinion isn’t the only thing that affects celebrities; they have peers and directors and agents and many, many powerful people who control their fate. We don’t see what goes on in the studio offices and trailers and sets. He may have been blackballed by certain people for reasons we’ll never know… I’m usually the first to call out white male privilege, but the fact that other people have it far, far worse doesn’t make his pain any less real.
I hope he’s just going through an identity crisis and that he’ll learn how to refocus his career… but to me, it all sounds very, very familiar. Pajiba had a good write-up that explained it better than I can. His words sound incredibly pretentious out of context, but there’s more to it than “woe is me, I lost a Marvel film”. He’s using language that reminds me of my worst periods of depression… “what am I even doing here?”, etc.
It can’t help to live in such a surreal world. And to be fair, even if it IS just Marvel… I mean, our world is saturated with the Marvel universe, and his industry is especially obsessed with blockbuster success and landing franchises. If he’s reminded daily about losing a job he wanted for his whole life, who are we to tell him to grow up or shut up? (And to be clear, I think there’s much, much, much more going on than just Spiderman.)
“it’s pretty clear that he’s aware of how lucky he is by comparison. In fact, when you have a tendency toward depression, this can actually make things worse: realizing you have “nothing to complain about”, that others have it far worse”
Wow, yeah, that really MUST be sooo much worse. If only he were, say, a person of color. It must be so difficult for him merely being depressed, rather than depressed AND systemically oppressed.
WON’T SOMEONE THINK OF THE STRAIGHT RICH CIS WHITE MEN!!!? :””(
@BritneyB
I agree that he sounds very depressed. I don’t get why depression is less serious for the wealthy. I mean, I get it that he is annoying as h*ll and I’m not a fan BUT I still feel compassion for anyone that may be suffering with depression. I would actually be relieved and happy for him if he is just a whiner!
Thank you Annie!!! I can’t with this.
@Annie Wow, the outrage is pretty hilarious. I love how ppl just go by excerpts of one interview and freak out. But you’re wrong about Garfield. He has talked about white privilege in many of his recent interviews, even saying flat out “I am privileged. I am a white male. I get to do what I love for a living and that’s insane. I realize how lucky I am” And he has talked about #BlackLivesMatter and he has talked about the feminist movement. Of course Celebitchy doesn’t link to those interviews, but jump all over one article and pick apart his wording b/c it’s not perfect even though we know what he meant (even Kaiser said he was trying to make a larger statement)
I am AMAZED that people can read this interview and conclude that Garfield has never heard of #blacklivesmatter or that he doesn’t care about the plight of immigrants. Talk about taking things out of context. Wow.
I think I understand what he is trying to say (the whole unattainable perfection thing), but it just sounds like he needs to go into another profession (or at least become lower profile).
I think he meant he’s not accepted because he’s not attractive enough? Or not masculine enough?
That’s how I read it too. He doesn’t exactly have typical Hollywood leading man looks, so it could be any number of things from his wiry frame to his eyebrows to his lack of muscles to whatever. I thought it was a comment against this myth of perfection that actors and actresses have to live up to. But with the outrage culture nowadays I’m sure he’ll he slammed for his comments becos people just love to find things to gripe about and he will probably do a half-arsed apology on some talk show soon enough. Yawn.
That’s how I read it.
How does Emma stone do it? I’d be wanting to slap that dude every time he opens his mouth. I understand what he is trying to say but he comes off like a whiney narcissist.
Oh, boy. Yeah. That’s a doozy. I hear what he is saying, however, he sounds like a whining baby. Suck it up, dude.
“Celebrity is the new religion, as far as I can see, along with money, power, status. It’s all the same umbrella — the seductive forces of evil, really.” BEST LINE HERE.
Andrew Garfield interviews remind me of Robert Pattinson. The struggle they have with Hollywood and not glorifying the fame. Guys like this are off-script for Hollywood. They fit the mold externally but want to use their art for a different means. They are only supposed to tell us how great it all is and how happy they are. But honestly, we (esp as women) should see through the bullshit. And I feel relief Andrew/Robert tells the truth about how they really feel, the pressures they’re under and the reality of what contribution they play or that is being built as fame. Glorifying celebrity – perfectly said. I know we made fun of Rob for saying he didn’t love being hounded, because he’s supposed to love it. But in fact, consumers love CELEBRITY so much we don’t care about people anymore, ‘so shut up and take it’. That’s not right or cool. Its to the demise of our society to glorify it and then we wonder why Donald Trump has an honest chance.
Yes. Yes. Yes!!!! For that line alone I love him. It’s shows he’s aware and hes uncomfortable with the worship.
Or he’s aware that others are worshipped and he’s not and he’s bitter about that.
Just throwing that out there…
Lol Kitten! I love the cynicism. I don’t doubt that’s probably a part of why he’s even pondering these questions in the first place. It’s the downs in your life that force you to think anyways. But it’s not like the dude doesn’t have a successful career. Either way reading the interview in his entirety I kind of have the same questions he keeps asking and they really do tire you out. On top of that he talks about how his priority is work, but that is dependent on people not knowing him. But he wants to make a difference and a celebrity can make a huge amount of difference. He just strikes me as someone earnest who is having a difficult time figuring out his place in the world and how he wants to make an impact while maintaining some semblance of integrity in his craft.
He seems to care about those not in his position and he wants to help. Angst, depression, exhaustion, and weariness about the way the world is heading. I get that. Unfortunately, it absolutely can be a whiney, woe is me position. Been there, know it. Glad I’m a bit past it. I think it’s just gonna take him time and probably a break. He’s spends so much time trying to get inside the heads of others and putting on a front I don’t think he properly addressses his own issues like he should. Honestly, he’s just gone have to let some of this sh-t go. We learn to compromise and it sucks, but it is what it is.
Sidenote: Dude is 32?! Holy crap I thought he was way younger.
Adding… I say this about Andrew bc I don’t see Andrew as a reflection of ‘wealth’ in our society. His is rich/famous but in the big picture… economically speaking he’s prob middle bracket. He’s not close to the poorest but he’s not close to the wealthiest either. Ive seen this movie and its definitely dives deep in the economic disparities plaguing our society, and i’m sure he became painfully aware of his privilege and helplessness, guilt.
Outrage culture strikes again.
You love to twist things way out of context.
“I can’t be bothered with seeing the whole interview so…..OUTRAGE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!”
Thank you.
I think the German sociologist Hartmut Rosa’s ideas regarding “outrage culture” are really interesting. He says it is due to alienation and the wish for resonance. (“Empörungsresonanz”).
I get it. Eyebrows ARE really important right now
he seems such a drag. that’s why I don’t get how it works with him and emma, she seems super upbeat all the time.
Is he speaking in some sot of code? Because I can’t understand a word he said.
Shia LaDouche Jr.
hahahahaha!! Shia LaDouche Jr……awesome!!!
Shut up, you big baby. Another whiner whining about nothing of any import. Insufferable brat.
Everyone complains about cookie cutter
interviews- yet this guy is getting thrown to the wolves for attempting to articulate his opinion and views. The trailer for 99 Homes looks really good. It’ll be interesting to
compare this film to The Big Short when that comes out,
I agree there’s more going on here than just him being made about his Spider-Man experience.
Wow, Andrew, I am really impressed. Well done. And you see, Andrew, despite the “democracy”, there is nothing you personally – as demos – can do to change the state of things, really. But you continue to export this way of life, this system of moral and spiritual values to other countries, and if they don’t accept it, cry the lack of democracy. Is it the democracy though, if the people, the demos, have noreal power, no voice?
Is there an Oscar for Best Performed ‘Navel Gazing Whilst Talking Rot’, if so, we have a strong season contender.
i don’t see the problem, he’s right. A pretty good interview in my opinion. i am assuming he is being asked because his new film is about the rich and poor divide.
Let the eye rolling commence!!