Brad Pitt is starting to remind me more and more of Robert Redford. Perhaps it has something to do with Redford being basically the same age as Pitt is in Moneyball when he made the baseball centered film The Natural (1984). Perhaps it’s that their good looks glow even more when they’re backlit. But I think it has something to do with their shared philosophies of life as mature movie stars.
“I dealt with (fame) the way I wanted to. I felt that if you were fortunate enough to have success, you should shadow box with it but never embrace it, because it has a demon side.”
Robert Redford
Pitt’s quote I pulled for yesterday’s post about the movie Moneyball placing value on a quite, personal victory made me think of movies about quite, personal victories—and how those are what some of my favorite movies are about. Tender Mercies and Babette’s Feast came to my mind first. Followed by On the Waterfront. Rocky, Rainman, The Apartment, and the more recent Winter’s Bone. The list could go on and on including the lesser remember The Electric Horseman (1979) starring Redford as a former rodeo star disillustioned with his new role in the bright lights of Las Vegas.
Just looking at Redford’s work with Sundance (which started on the heals of The Electric Horseman) and Pitt’s work in New Orleans tells you that there is a depth to these men that you don’t often find in people in the spotlight.
And as far as those quiet, personal victories that you experience—cherish them.
P.S. If Pitt wins an Oscar at next year’s Academy Awards he’ll be basically the same age Redford was when he won his sole Oscar for directing Ordinary People (1981)
Related Post:
Returning to Zero—Robert Redford
Brad Pitt & the Future of Journalism
Screenwriting from Iowa 
I had to chuckle when I read this post as it’s exactly what I said to my daughter after catching “Moneyball” this week. I’ve always said that they belonged together – particularly after “A River Runs Through It.” That Redford directed movie not only embraces Redford’s environmental appreciation but the depth and thread of deeper connection that you allude to in your post. There’s a pause before speaking, and a bigger picture kind of persona about both men. Perhaps baseball itself comes ‘naturally’ to men of that bent.
I loved Moneyball. I’m not sure if it’s Brad Pitt’s best role but the scenes with his daughter were mainlined heart to heart gorgeous. Those scenes rang about as sincere as any I’ve seen in movies. I’m a Pitt and Redford fan through and through. There’s an old school elegance that they confer on any project they are involved with. Thanks for the timely post.