Translation by CSI Robsten
He likes to think he’s cynical like the character he plays in Cosmopolis, his new movie competing at Cannes, “but actually I’m a naïve person”. He has a clear mind on everything else, though: on his job “I know I’m a privileged person”, on money “it’s better to spend somebody else’s”, and love. Are you listening, Kristen?
Men in suits, bodyguards with their earpieces and mirrored sunglasses. The sky above Manhattan is a grey blanket which, within the two-hour running time of Cosmopolis, will turn more and more black.
Eric Parker, a golden 28-year-old billionaire of the financial world, gets into a limousine, and his driver, a taut-faced who reminds of Russian secret service men, informs him of the traffic jam due to the visit of the President of the United States. But he doesn’t care: he just needs a good haircut now, and the only barber able to please him is on the other side of the town.
That’s how Eric’s trip through New York and among his ghosts starts, while the global capitalism outside is about to be subverted by a people’s revolution and a killer, who somewhere can’t wait to finish him off. The most mind-blowing 24 hours of his life, broken up by women with whom he has casual sex, a doctor who daily appeases his obsession with disease, a cold and distant wife, and protesters who wave rats.
The adaptation to the big screen of Don DeLillo’s most visionary novel – written in 2001 and prophesying the Occupy Wall Street protests and everything we are living, was an impossible mission that only a brave director like David Cronenberg could achieve. And only a brave director like David Cronenberg could think of casting Robert Pattinson as the leading role.
It’s true that Pattinson isn’t only Twilight, the saga that will come to an end on November 14th with Breaking Dawn Part 1. Between an episode and the other, he starred in Remember me, Water For Elephants and Bel Ami. But it’s obvious that a character like this can make the difference for him, between keeping holding onto Edward Cullen’s canines and becoming an A-list actor.
In Cosmopolis, Pattinson still has the pale-white face that made teenagers and women from all over the world fall in love with him, though the romantic look has disappeared. We interviewed Robert over the phone from London where he has gone back in the last days, and he sounds so much different from the vampire that made him famous: a young boy’s voice, many laughs, he greets me warmly as if I were a friend “Hey, how are you?”.
I know his publicist is lying in ambush somewhere near him, ready to drag him away from any question on his love story with Kristen Stewart, the envied Bella who, like in their real life two-year relationship, bewitched him in the story, too. I’d better start with the movie.
- Do you know why Cronenberg chose you?
Honestly, I don’t. I’ve never asked it myself. I’m just happy he did.
- What do you think you have in common with Eric Parker?
What I’m going to say may sound weird to those who have read the book or will see the movie. Actually, I think Eric still has a glimmer of hope, even though you can’t see it from the outside. A bit like me.
- Are you a cynic?
I like to think I am, but actually I’m a naïve person.
- Parker is someone who can gain or lose tons of money within few seconds. I’ll quote one of your recent statement: “I don’t like spending money. If I found a free house it’d be great”. Were you joking?
No, why? I don’t mind spending other people’s money at all.
- Don’ t tell me you’re stingy.
If I want something I’d rather someone bought it for me.
- But you are the second highest-paid English actor after Daniel Radcliffe, what do you do with all that money? Investments or real estate?
First of all, I’m not sure I am the second hishest-paid, even though I have to admit I’d like to. I know nothing about investments. I’d rather keep my money under the mattress.
- Are you generous at least?
I think so.
- With your girlfriend, too?
I hope so. But she should confirm it herself.
- Parker basically lives in his limo. He even has a toilet put in inside. You always travel for work, don’t you feel the need to settle down somewhere?
Travelling from a state to another is one of the things I love the most about my job. I understand the advantage of having a permanent place, but it’d bore me.
- You think you are too young to put down roots?
I think I’m too young to stop for good.
- How do you see yourself in ten years?
I hope I’ll still be able to do a creative job and be happy. They may sound banalities, but I’m being honest. I know I’m a privileged person.
- In Cosmopolis there are explicit sex scenes. Weren’t you embarrassed?
I felt more embarrassed for the actresses. When a man undresses he may feel stupid, but he has fun after all. I think it’s more problematic for women.
-Are you more sweet or passionate in real life?
Passionate, I hope.
- Your costar in Bel Ami, Christina Ricci, said you are a good kisser. What is the best compliment a woman paid you?
The most beautiful thing a woman can tell you is that she loves you.
- So deep down you are a romantic person.
Well, yeah.
- Both your movie and your girlfriend Kristen Stewart’s On The Road are in completion at Cannes. Who deserves to win? Bella or Edward?
The best of course.
- One of your best friend, the British actor Tom Sturridge, is expecting a baby with Sienna Miller. Would you like to become a dad?
Of course. Maybe not right now, but yes obviously.
- Have you and Kristen already made any plan?
Not yet. We haven’t planned anything.
- Do you feel ready to move in with her?
[he hums to hide the embarrassment] I’m ready for everything.
- You are always far from each other for work. Do you believe in long-distance relationships?
I really think so.
I knew his publicist was lying in ambush. He butts in and tells me “You’ve already asked too many personal questions”.
- You have always played dramatic characters. Wouldn’t you like to do something comical?
A lot, but it’s really hard to find good scripts. And most of all, it’s really hard to make people laugh. It’s one of the things that more scares people who do my job.
- If you hadn’t become an actor, what would you have been?
As I child I would have answered you a pianist, but I think I would have written. I write a lot, whenever I can.
- Did you meet DeLillo?
I did, in Cannes. It was such a thrill. I read the extraordinary novel that is Cosmopolis while shooting, but I had already read many other books of his.
- Do you read a lot?
Oh yeah.
- What’s your favourite book?
Dubliners by James Joyce.
- What do you think of people from Los Angeles, that is your city now?
I have to admit it took me a lot to like them, but I like it there now, especially because there’s the ocean. But I miss London, and I’m realizing it now that I’m back.
- Queen Elizabeth celebrates her 60 years of reign. As a subject, what do you like about her?
I like her intelligence. She looks like a very smart woman.
- And what about the Middleton sisters, who do you like more?
Who do you Italians like more?
- Probably Kate.
Then I like her more, too.
- Do you think that after Cosmopolis, you’ll be able to finally get rid of Edward Cullen?
I’m okay if people just manage to see this and other movies I’ll make without being influenced by Twilight.
- Johnny Depp, whom Tim Burton wanted for the role of the vampire in Dark Shadows, said he is the Alpha vampire. Do you have any objections?
No. Actually he’s really manly.
- Tell us the truth, do you miss Twilight?
I finished shooting the last scenes a couple of weeks ago, so it’s still too early. Maybe in a few years. Maybe.
Hehe, so cute when talking about his girl!! :D
ReplyDeleteSuch a change in how he discusses Cosmopolous compared to any of his previous films. He talks about it, reverently. He is very serious when he says it changed him, and I think that is also evident in the new projects being announced recently. He is very focused. Very grown up. And choosing films that I think appeal to Rob, more than what he might think the 'public' wants. That's the sign of a true artist. To thine own self be true...and Im very excited for both his and Kristin's futures in film.