I used to call them the Eternal Hollywood Triangle. The three points on the triangle are no longer connected but it’s a triangle all the same, and it will likely go on, it feels like it will go on forever – Brad Pitt, Angelina Jolie, and Jennifer Aniston. I’m talking about the Triangle again now because all three have projects releasing this fall: Brad’sAd Astracomes out this month, Angelina’sMaleficent: Mistress of Evilcomes out in October, and Jennifer’s new Apple seriesThe Morning Showis expected in November. Which is why all three are covering magazines and/or doing interviews. Brad’s new interview with The New York Timeswas just published today.
The major pull-quote from this piece is about his drinking. Which is not new territory, although he talks about his time in AA and how he was able to “expose the ugly sides of yourself” and be vulnerable. This, thematically, is what he’s been addressing during promotion forAd Astra– as director James Gray said ahead of the film’s Venice premiere, they were interrogating “the macho myth” with the story and Brad, in many ways Hollywood’s “man’s man”, is modelling the softer more sensitive alternative to masculinity. Not that he’s particularly revelatory here. What he’s saying is that behind the curtain, he’s allowing himself to be more open.
And of course all of this, the press, is in support of bothAd AstraandOnce Upon a Time …in Hollywood. Ad Astrawas mostly well-received in Venice, not to the point of awards contention but well enough to further solidify Brad’s place as an Oscar contender. His performance inAd Astra, a quieter film thanOUATIH,is getting strong praise and even though he’s the lead, this is one of the ways a lead role can boost a supporting one, as he’s expected to be entered into the Oscar race as a Best Supporting Actor candidate. GivenOUATIH’s box office and profile, with the Quentin Tarantino bonus, Brad’s performance in that film is the stronger entry which is now strengthened by what he’s showing the Academy inAd Astra.I wonder if Brad could run the table, sweep the Globes, Critics’ Choice, SAG, BAFTA, and Oscars.
By the way…
Is it weird or nah thatAd Astraopens on September 20? You know what happened that day? Third anniversary.
