MovieChat Forums > Twelve Monkeys (1996) Discussion > Brad Pitt Can't Act

Brad Pitt Can't Act

posted 17 years ago by jjd430
263 replies | jump to latest

I just watched 12 M. for the first time, all the way through. Is the reason that IMDB describes it as a black comedy because Pitt's performance is so clownish and exaggerated? Was he not directed!? I don't think he was at this undeserved exalted place in pop. culture at the time, so why didn't they fire him after the first few dailies? He's just awful and distracting in every scene.
I was never a Brad Pitt hater, but his performance in Seven was bad, too. I also saw him in an earlier obscure flick and he was terrible there as well. 12 M would have been a much better movie, and possibly a cult classic, without him in that key role. Brad must've been a pool boy for some influential producer back in the day. He surely can't act.

[–] djmattm2002-913-491227 12 years ago

"because Pitt's performance is so clownish and exaggerated?"

You are aware that he was playing a very MANIC mental patient....right? -- I can't speak for any of his other movies (haven't really watched any), but I'd say he played his role just fine. The directors made him quit smoking cigarettes cold turkey during the course of the filming to help make the erratic behavior more authentic.

[–] lotsofwordz 12 years ago

Nonsense. Nonsense. Nonsense.

Usually I can't stand BP, but his acting in this film is top notch+++++.

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[–] lotsofwordz 12 years ago

Agree. I have never seen psychotic-level OCD depicted more convincingly by an actor.

[–] dsliquid 12 years ago

No, I agree with jjd430, and I'm glad to finally see someone else say it! I've always been annoyed by Brad Pitt, because he's always either "acting" this crazy annoying person (and I've always felt it's so far from genuine, like those irritating laughters he does), OR he doesn't act at all, just sitting there, talking softly.
I prefer the latter, like in "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" where he's barely noticed at all, and therefore isn't ruining anything.

ONE exception I have is his acting in "Inglorious Basterds", in which he FITS for once. I loved him during that part where his character fails to pretend/act. For ONCE, Brad Pitt managed to be convincing!

I understand that some will be offended by this post, and it's okay that you like him. I just personally really disagree with you.

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[–] erickson4070 12 years ago

I am going back and watching movies that I just didn't get when I first saw them, 12 Monkeys is one of them. Interesting topic, Brad Pitt I mean. It seems like for much of his early career he played variations on a role: Stoner, nut job etc. Not great but he picked roles commeserate with his abilities and attached himself to some really fine projects.Is he a great actor? No, I don't think so but he fits the roles he chooses. Much like Keanu Reeves. Great actor? No, but he too has a knack for picking projects that suit his ability.
Other movies I have revisited and have been surprised by are: Jacobs Ladder, Videodrome, King of New York and Invasion of the Body Snatchers.Donny Darko is next on the list.

[–] dschoenike 12 years ago

"Anyone who says he was great in this can't know much about film or performances" So your saying the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, who nominated him for an Academy Award, don't know much about film or performances? Sure, that makes a whole lot of sense. You would have sounded less silly if you had just said, "I didn't like him in this."

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[–] cornishartist 12 years ago

Something that I have noticed about Brad Pitt (though not in 12 M) is that he is normally eating in many of his scenes! He usually has a sandwich on the go, or a burger! I think he is a good actor however.

[–] MrCottonsParrot 11 years ago

In the making-of documentary "The Hamster Factor" it shows Brad with a mental health expert, training him and showing him videos of real mental patients who exhibit mania, both happy manics and angry manics.

I didn't think he was over the top considering he was supposed to be manic, not just mentally ill.

It seems obvious that you simply dislike Brad Pitt. Nothing wrong with that, but it's your opinion that he's a bad actor - not fact.

"Champagne for my real friends, and real pain for my sham friends..."

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