Brad Pitt, a Hollywood icon known for his compelling performances and versatility, opened up to GQ in 2017 about a significant shift in his career and life perspective. Renowned for roles ranging from enigmatic drifters to complex historical figures, Pitt extensively talked about his desires to move away from characters defined by pain and suffering.
The actor also elaborated on how his path to moving away from pain-filled characters led him to enjoy a specific genre of music.
Brad Pitt Is Moving On From Characters With Pain
Brad Pitt has been on an extraordinary Hollywood ride because of his roles, from his breakout role in Thelma & Louise to his Oscar-winning performance in Once Upon a Time in Hollywood.
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In a recent interview with GQ, the actor revealed his readiness to embrace different challenges and narratives for the rest of his career.
“Yeah, I’m kind of done playing those. I think it was more pain tourism. It was still an avoidance in some way. I’ve never heard anyone laugh bigger than an African mother who’s lost nine family members. What is that? I just got R&B for the first time. R&B comes from great pain, but it’s a celebration. To me, it’s embracing what’s left. It’s that African woman being able to laugh much more boisterously than I’ve ever been able to.”
While referring to the past characters he has played, it’s clear that Pitt intends to focus less on characters defined by their suffering and more on roles that offer different challenges and narratives.
Brad Pitt’s Views On American Branding, Music and Therapy
With less pain-filled roles to play, Pitt also aspires to experience some personal growth. In the same interview with GQ, Brad Pitt discussed the concept of American exceptionalism, drawing parallels between individual and national hubris.
“When I get in trouble it’s because of my hubris. When America gets in trouble it’s because of our hubris. We think we know better, and this idea of American exceptionalism—I think we’re exceptional in many ways, I do, but we can’t force it on others. We shouldn’t think we can. How do we show American exceptionalism? By example. It’s the same as being a good father.”
Brad Pitt also commented on the changing perception of America abroad and how that links to his approach to his career and understanding of the world.
“By exemplifying our tenets and our beliefs, freedom and choice and not closing borders and being protectionists. But that’s another issue. You want me to tell you something really sad? I thought this was so sad. We were looking at—let me say, a certain war film that was looking to promote itself. The European posters had the American flag in the background, and it came back from the marketing department: “Remove the flag. It’s not a good sell here.” I was, like, Man, that’s America. That’s what we’ve done to our brand.”
Aside from his views on the “American” branding, the star also expresses his newfound appreciation for R&B music, crediting it with helping him understand and cope with pain. His musical inspirations during this period include Frank Ocean, known for his raw, honest lyrics, and Marvin Gaye’s deeply personal album about divorce. Furthermore, Pitt shared his positive experiences with therapy.
