Robert Pattinson: ‘Things fall apart when they’re supposed to fall apart’

These are some new photos of Robert Pattinson, dressed down at last night’s New York Times “TimesTalk” interview. Rob appeared at the panel/open forum thing with his Cosmopolis director David Cronenberg. I think we should have a moment of respect for Cronenberg: he’s old as dirt, he’s been around forever, he’s a brilliant and creepy filmmaker, and props to him for being so nice to Sparkles. They’ve become inseparable, and it’s kind of sweet to see a young actor hang out with such an old, grizzled veteran. Of course, I should also note that Rob’s fly is down in these photos. And he looks kind of douchey and Ryan Lochte-esque. Damn it, Sparkles!

Anyway, all the TWIHARD DRAMZ was going down at this NYT forum thing. It gets complicated, so I’ll just let the NYDN explain:

New York Times journalist David Carr made the now infamously scorned ‘Twilight’ star Robert Pattinson squirm in his seat Wednesday night during a TimesTalks interview that was otherwise intended to serve as an intellectual tete-a-tete on the star’s latest independent film, ‘Cosmopolis.’

Just about an hour into the discussion with Pattinson and director David Cronenberg — broadcast before thousands online — Carr solicited what appeared to be a surprise round of boos from the largely female audience when he tried to draw an analogy between Pattinson’s romantic woes with co-star Kristen Stewart and the famously troubled relationship between England’s Prince Charles and Diana, the late Princess of Wales.

“So if you and Kristen have trouble it’s like Charles and Di having trouble?” Carr asked.

The journalist’s question wasn’t completely out of context: Pattinson, who occasionally seemed in over his head intellectually and had to ask for a question to be repeated and admitted to losing track of his thoughts, had only moments before attempted to attribute America’s obsession with fame to the country’s desire for a monarchy.

“I think it’s because America really wants to have a royal family,” he said, then going just a bit further to say that America’s Hollywood royalty are just like the real royalty except “meritocratic.”

He quickly backtracked on that somewhat slippery point but it was too late: the analogy had been cast, and Carr appeared more than content to segue into Stewart. Carr’s question was immediately met with boos from the audience, both in studio and online.

“Next question,” someone shouted from the stands.

“Come on,” another said.

Online, the vitriol was a bit more direct.

“What a flipping idiot,” a user named Elaine Turner chimed in on the live stream.

“I was hoping that this was one guy that would have enough respect for Rob not to go there. Disappointed,” viewer Launi Pettersson lamented.

If fans were outraged, Pattinson seemed unprepared. Waiting a while to answer, it sounded as if he was breathing in backwards — or at least like a broken vacuum cleaner — for a few moments.

“Well, uh, Charles,” the star finally said, after looking down and fingering his water bottle awkwardly.

Carr soon moved the conversation forward, stating, “I wasn’t really going there, just so you know.”

“No, I wouldn’t go that far,” Pattinson answered.

Pattinson’s relative unpreparedness might make sense given that media figures have treaded lightly around the Pattinson-Stewart breakup since the cheated-on boyfriend reappeared in the media this week. George Stephanopoulous didn’t really pry on ABC’s “Good Morning America,” and Jon Stewart also let Pattinson keep similarly mum.

The only other potential reference Pattinson may have made to his relationship with Stewart came earlier on in the interview, when Carr asked him about the decline of global capitalism, a prominent theme in his new film.

“Things fall apart when they’re supposed to fall apart,” Pattinson said.

Clearly, fans intent on analyzing his every word could have taken that as a statement on the international economy, or — perhaps more fun — a meditation on the outcomes of his relationship with Stewart.

[From NYDN]

I don’t really see the controversy…? I agree with what Sparkles said (about American royalty), and I can see how Carr’s follow-up question was legit (although a bit cheap). Why the outrage, Twihards? At least Carr didn’t couch his question in some lame, mealy-mouthed, “So, what do you want your fans to know about how you’re doing?!” Poor Sparkles.

Photos courtesy of WENN.

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42 Responses to “Robert Pattinson: ‘Things fall apart when they’re supposed to fall apart’”

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  1. Julie says:

    his headwear is incredibly cool….when you are five years old.

  2. carrie says:

    what is his look???? and his cap???

  3. Bite me aka aniston says:

    Am getting tired of this… Robert needs to directly address the elephant in the room or just say no comment… Sheesh how many different ways can the same question be asked

    • darian says:

      why does he have to address? There’s no reason to. The more he gives, the more people will expect. No one will be satisfied with any answer he gives, and will simply ask for more.

      • Bite me aka aniston says:

        The game doesn’t work that way… It was all gravy to milk the relationship when things were going well… And now the the relationship is facing some hardship u want to disengage with the very same people u were selling ur shit to… Won’t work

      • darian says:

        that is how the game is played often, where you don’t ever put anything on record so that it doesn’t put you in a corner. The idea is to say less so that you have less to account for. Rob’s never gone on record about his relationship status, and it’s worked for him so far.

      • Ella says:

        Gravy and milk? Wha…? He doesn’t actually have to say anything about anything.

      • Kate (newer one) says:

        I don’t really get how you think they sold the relationship. I mean, they refused photo ops outside the press tours and always refused to even confirm they were together.

        I really do not get the entitled fan attitude. I don’t think my plumber has to tell me the state of play of his sex life, either; actors are paid to say words written by a third party convincingly enough that we buy the story. That’s pretty much all they owe us. It’s natural to want to know what famous people are up to, but not to act as if there is some kind of right to that knowledge.

    • Diana says:

      Actually, he doesn’t. He doesn’t owe anything to anyone. He didn’t comment on his private life before, why should he start now?

  4. anya says:

    Bless, him- poor Sparkles is a bit out of his depth, but thumbs up for trying!

    • Aussie girl says:

      I agree. Top effort for facing all this shit. It’ seems the twihards have spoken though & they are team rob. They have got his back & front so it would seem.

    • Jane says:

      I despise people referring to him as Sparkles or footface. It’s derogatory and degrading. His name is Rob…..

    • pafakell says:

      Did NYDN explain specifically how RP was in over his head intellectually or out of his depth? No. This “journalist” seems like nothing more than the typical arrogant hack that is so prevalent in today’s media, the kind that sneaks in those gotcha questions when dealing with actors who are so much more appreciated than any intellectual snob could ever be. I’ll bet little Davy is nowhere near smart or knowledgable or honest enough to be able to think of a relevant question to ask the narcissist sociopaths that hold all the power in our country today. That’s because the narcissist sociopaths and their media hacks and all of their condescending fans *ahem* come from under the same rock and suck the same c**k. Thumbs up yourself, dearie.

      Can’t wait to see your wet comments the next time CB posts some goon who spends 12 hours a day in front of the mirror.

  5. Esmom says:

    “Pattinson, who occasionally seemed in over his head intellectually and had to ask for a question to be repeated…”

    That’s a low blow, Sparkles is smart! Seriously, they need to give the guy a break. He admitted on The Daily Show that he doesn’t have a publicist so he doesn’t have slick answers to everything. Let my Sparkles be!

    • Anname says:

      The other 2 men on stage have 40 yrs on him, a bit more wisdom and life experience there.

      I thought he came across as reasonably intelligent. He seemed like a normal guy in his 20s with an intellectual side.

    • Diana says:

      That was definitely a low blow. He allways comes across in as a very inteligent guy, above average if you ask me, so that affirmation really got me confused.

  6. carolina says:

    oh please, it’s false outrage by fans. Their noisy asses would have been all over it if he had actually answered. And the quote about things falling apart for a reason seemed wholly unconnected to his actual life or relationship, so yeah, once again people are reaching.

    I will say though that if he was thinking about reconciling with her, the all the scrutiny he got this week probably made him double think that. lol

  7. carolina says:

    and I doubt he was in over his head intellectually. He’s like an absent minded professor though who loses his train of thought sometimes. It’s more a public speaking thing than an intellectual capacity thing. Lame.

    • Maria says:

      This! A perfect description! I’ve always enjoyed his interviews. He has this very self ironic and sarcastic way of talking about things. And the way he says the most unexpected, funny and weird things… Imo he comes across as very smart guy, both socially and intellectually. He’s just a bit uneased about all the attention towards his personal matters.

    • EmmaStoneWannabe says:

      Agree. Nice analysis.

    • Tansey says:

      If you’re nervous with public speaking then yes, losing your train of thought happens. I had to take COM 101 one semester and I absolutely LOATHE public speaking. All my grades depended in my speeches, so I had to suck it up and do it. The night before ever speech, I’d go to my mother in law’s and everyone there would sit in front of me so I could practice. Family or not, I was still nervous. I regularly paused and couldn’t remember what I was going to say next. The more I practices though, the better I got. By the time my final speech rolled around I was a pro. I stood confident in front of the class, gave my speech, then answered questions without missing a beat. All he needs to do is practice. I’m sure that what he’s currently going through has a lot to do with it too.

  8. Genevieve says:

    I LOVE this kid, and I’m sorry for his troubles. He’s done a FABULOUS job of behaving like a true professional in the midst of personal pain. He’s certainly done nothing to deserve this heartache or controversy.

    But Rob, DARLING….lookin’ kinda ghetto.

  9. Vee says:

    This guy is very smart and reads constantly. With that said, sometimes it works for people to have low expectations of you.

  10. void says:

    “Things fall apart when they’re supposed to fall apart”…

    They certainly do. For all of us.

  11. Mirella says:

    His interviews & sometimes awkward stumbling are what I like most about him. Oh, and his hilarious facial expressions. I think he’s intelligent, just doesn’t always know how to phrase things.

  12. Jennifer12 says:

    I can see where he’d be intimidated by the older intellectuals in the room. He’s kind of shy as it is, and I think he’s smart as opposed to intellectual. That said, he didn’t say anything terrible and I don’t think he was alluding to anything. He wants to avoid his personal life at all costs, which is beyond obvious.

    • Jennifer12 says:

      Men, take note: backwards baseball caps should not be worn by anyone older than 13. It looks really stupid.

  13. Eleonor says:

    Poor Sparkles.
    He is in the most delicate moment of his career the Twilight saga is going to end, he has done a movie with an acclaimed director, and the only thing people want to ask him is “Is it true you’ve spent the last 3 weeks crying sparkling tears, on Reese Whiterspoon designer couch? how is it going after you girlfriend has publicy cheated you?”

  14. Chria says:

    The world knows what happened so what is there to talk about? He’s embarrassed. He never could imagine being betrayed like that and the fact that it was made public only made it harder. It was a slap in the face once for cheating and twice for the media outlook. He’s still grieving its so obvious. His I don’t care how I’m dressed attitude expresses that. The fact that he can actually make any public appearance right now should be commended and accepted just as that. Its between him and Kristin how things will come going forward. Everyone should just respect his privacy and make any interview about his career.

  15. Skins says:

    This guy literally has girls throwing themselves at him the minute he walks out the door. That whole relationship was fake anyway, so lets end the pity party for poor sparkles

  16. I Choose Me says:

    You made me look Kaiser but his fly isn’t down – just his zipper showing. And yeah that backwards cap thing is never a good look. Love him, he’s got such an interesting and expressive face. Now if only he could incorporate that more into his acting.

    To bite me aniston. He’s never talked about his relationship with Kristen except in the vaguest of terms so why would he start now?

  17. mia girl says:

    I watched part of the livestream (although I missed the part referenced in this post)

    Cronnenberg was so impressive and flat out brilliant. Love that man.

    Carr was interesting as well, with what seemed like some very insightful comments/questions re: Cosmopolis. Based on what I saw, he didn’t seem the type to take a cheap shot.

    I didn’t get the impression that Pattinson was in over his head. He was respectful of the two more experienced men and deferred to Cronnenberg, as was appropriate. It is his film afterall.

    Rob engaged in the conversation mostly when he was asked directly. He definitly was not “trying hard” and he refreshingly was not feigning some deep intellectual attitude to fit the setting (as many other actors might do). He seemed pretty at ease.

  18. Lindy says:

    I feel like I need an intervention, because I cannot understand why I find him ridiculously hot in these pictures. In a completely frat-tastic, beirut at two a.m. walk of shame the next morning kind of way.

    And usually he does nothing for me. So I’m pretty sure that is not a god thing. Halp! lol:)

  19. Sam says:

    Oh thank god. The backwards hat is doing something to quell my newfound crush.

  20. Hairball says:

    I think he’s so over all of this.