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Brad Pitt's Mighty anxiety
Jun 20, 2007, 7:00 GMT
06/06/2007 - Brad Pitt - CineVegas Film FFestival Opening Night Screening of Ocean\'s Thirteen - The Palms Casino Resort - Las Vegas, NV © Chris Hatcher / Photorazzi
Brad Pitt was nervous about asking lover Angelina Jolie to play the lead role in his new movie.
Brad - whose company Plan B produced 'A Mighty Heart' which tells the true story of a woman whose journalist husband is murdered - knew Angelina would be perfect to play Mariane Pearl but was worried he would be accused of favouritism.
He told Newsweek magazine: "I knew the part had to be played by someone with Mariane's strength and understanding of the world, but I didn't know how to broach the subject.
"It feels a little like Wolfowitz trying to get his girlfriend a job."
Former World Bank president Paul Wolfowitz resigned last month after he was accused of using his position to get his girlfriend a promotion.
Brad, 43, also slammed critics who complained when Angelina landed the role of Afro-Cuban Mariane.
He added: "I know that people are frustrated at the lack of great roles (for people of colour), but I think they've picked the wrong example here."
The real-life Mariane, who is now close friends with the 32-year-old actress, revealed she was pleased Angelina was chosen to portray her.
She said: "This is not about skin colour. I wanted her to play me because I trust her. Aren't we past this?"
(C) BANG Media International
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Older Talkback
page: 1
Pitt made the casting call, not the real-life person.
And anyone he chose would have likely also forged a close friendship with the person upon whom the role was based.
It could have launched the career of a minority actress. Instead, he took the easy way and picked his own spouse, whose name would be a guaranteed box office draw.
He had a chance to take the high road on this, and failed miserably.
Add to that fact that this picture centers around the theme of 'freedom of the press', yet Jolie tried to curtail EXACTLY that freedom when the press tried to cover her premier interviews.
Birds of a feather, the two of them. At least they'll feel comfortable with each other's hypocrisy...which is truly of global proportions.
These two are as self-serving as they come. It will be interesting watching the whole Elizabeth Taylor/Richard Burton tragedy play out between them... It's like 'deja vu all over again' to quote the Yankee great.
What I find more insulting than the producers of the film not making the effort to cast one of the myriad, talented actors of colors for this role is the fact that Angelina Jolie looks utterly ridiculous in that curly mop and orange tanner that ostensibly adds authenticity to her look. No matter how great her acting chops are in this role (and, other than her great histrionics in Girl, Interrupted, most of her movies have been unwatchable), I cannot help but groan and roll my eyes when I see those fake curls on her head! If skin color and looks don't matter, why are they doing this version of black face? Why didn't Jolie just inhabit the spirit of Marianne Pearl and get rid of the hideous wig and self-tanner?
Pitt doesn't provide any explanation of why this isn't the case of a role being denied a worthy actress of color. Why isn't this a case of offensive nepotism? Because Marianne likes them? Because of the children they've adopted? That all may be so but it doesn't stop the fact that this role could have been easily played by Thandie Newton or even a complete unknown. And we wouldn't have had to contend with those wretched curls!
Joselle! I read your comment about Brad and Angie in many websites. All are Negative and critical. I am just wondering are you prefect?
page: 1
MimiJun 20th, 2007 - 16:20:01
I think Angie and Mariane Pearl have strong friendship relationship and Angie knows how to act real people. I just do not understand why Brad is accused of favoritism. If Mariane Pearl chosen Angie to play her role, what is this accusation for??????
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