14 DAY TRIAL // Sean Penn has never been known for his delicate people skills or his unwillingness to speak bluntly what’s on his mind, and his latest Rolling Stone interview is no exception to this rule. Although focusing most on his “Milk” film and the upcoming Academy Awards, the interview also deals with other topics such as the way some actors see their profession and how uncommitted they can be.
Released in 2005, “The Interpreter,” in which Penn starred next to Australian actress Nicole Kidman, was welcomed warmly by critics and fans alike. Nevertheless, Kidman’s other contractual obligations than the movie alone seems to have angered Penn, who now says that actors should always remember that their job means doing a part in front of the camera, and not endorse fashion collections, watches or beauty products.
“People are spending too much time modeling for some [expletive] clothing company instead of acting, and I resent that. It’s like ‘I’m sorry – are you going to do the Chanel ad today? I thought you were in the middle of shooting a [expletive] movie.’” Penn tells Rolling Stone. The interviewer for the magazine explains that, while the actor did not name names, he could have been referring to Kidman – “They did that movie The Interpreter together, and right around that same time she became the face of Chanel.”
Nevertheless, Sean Penn admittedly has nothing but respect for fellow actors who just focus on the craft, leaving all other small stuff aside while working on a project. Mickey Rourke gets nothing but praises from Penn for his performance in “The Wrestler,” as also does comparatively young James Franco, with whom Penn appears in “Milk,” one of the biggest favorites at the Oscars this year.
Throughout his 30-year career, Sean Penn made a reputation for himself for being a pain in the neck with those that are not able, or don’t want to mind their own business. “Press-hatter” and “paparazzi-punchbag” are just two of the labels that have stuck on him in time. Yet, the Rolling Stone editor says there’s more to Penn that just this. So, for more on this wonderful actor and his thoughts on the latest Hollywood productions, as well as for a full pictorial, pick up the latest issue of Rolling Stone, out on newsstands now.