MovieChat Forums > A River Runs Through It (1992) Discussion > Brad Pitt was too good looking for this ...

Brad Pitt was too good looking for this movie

posted 8 years ago by Intothenightalone
7 replies | jump to latest

His dyed blonde hair, his perpetual smile and charm, I felt like he was using it as a vehicle to become famous/heartthrob instead of playing the role.

[–] brockmeeks 7 years ago

He just looks that way.

Some men are very handsome. It doesn't mean that they aren't real people.

He became a star because he is very handsome and is talented.

[–] kmags84 7 years ago

Agreed. Plenty of Actors are good looking... But most don't last. A good comparison of Looks PLUS Talent versus Looks and AVERAGE Talent would be Brad Pitt/Rob Lowe. Not that Lowe is awful or anything, he's just shown that he's certainly not as talented as the Greats. Pitt on the other hand is getting better with age. Same with Leo IMO. Others fizzle out.

[–] kmags84 7 years ago

Here's a quote from Brad Pitt...

"I'm one of those people you hate because of Genetics"

I agree with Pitt 100%. It took him quite some time to overcome the "Heart-throb" Critics and prove to them he actually has Acting Chops. Granted, this was an early role, he still wasn't quite the Actor yet, I think 'Seven' and 'Fight Club'(Amongst a few others during that time) were the films to finally change the opinions of alot of people. However, while he wasn't perfect in this film, he was damn good and his Charisma carried any lack of range he may have had.

[–] brockmeeks 7 years ago

I think Pitt got lucky in the early 90's with vehicles that led to full-blown A-list status by 1996-1997, some might argue earlier, but I wouldn't say he was A-list before '95.

I also believe that he has been given opportunities because of his looks (that others weren't) and that has lead to better and movies and roles. Talking roles in something like "The Tree of Life" have upped his credibility, but bottom line --his movie continue to make money.

I think "Tree of Life" was his best performance so far --not a heartthrob role at all.

I agree with you that when his charisma is unsteady the looks carry the movie through. Doesn't happen too often IMO, but they're are a few and couple that are downright bad.

[–] kmags84 7 years ago

Seven was the tipping point IMO. Just a perfectly executed film. Freeman is the steady hand, controlling the film and it's energy in a sense. Pitt was irritating early on but it's Fincher wanted that for the role. When you watch Pitts emotional(And philosophical) transformation throughout the film, it's actually quite gripping. The range was on full display and Great Directors tend to bring that out (Scorsese/Leo, Fincher/Pitt, Phoenix/PT Anderson are good examples of this)

I agree with your Tree of Life example as well. Although he produced the film so his involvement was crucial to the film being made, he still was fantastic. The Assassination of Jesse James was a wonderful performance as well. It's certainly fair to say that his looks are definitely what boosted his career. I used to hate ANY Heart-throb but I've grown to enjoy the power of charisma on screen. Cruise, Leo, Pitt, Bale, Fassbender and even a guy like Tom Hardy... They just steal the show. Looks AND talent prevailed. All opinion of course.

[–] Wuchak (8077) 3 years ago

Pitt never did anything for me until I saw "Troy" (2004). Then I thought, "Whoa, this guy's good." I eventually went back and viewed some of his earlier films and saw that he was always exceptional; I just didn't realize it until seeing "Troy."

[–] neverstandinalone 7 years ago

A beautiful thread. This, people across IMDB, is a fine example of what a great thread is supposed to be. Respectful discussion PERIOD

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