Why Brad Pitt Cringes at His Breakout Performance—And What He Learned

Brad Pitt’s career is a testament to his incredible range, from his early breakthrough roles in Thelma & Louise to his recent Oscar-winning turn in Once Upon a Time in Hollywood. With an extensive filmography that spans over three decades, it’s clear that Pitt is one of the most successful and respected actors in Hollywood. Yet, despite his impressive resume, there’s one performance that still stands out to him as a major disappointment: his role in Robert Redford’s 1992 film A River Runs Through It.

Set in the beautiful backdrop of the Rocky Mountains, the film tells the story of two brothers growing up under the tutelage of their Presbyterian minister father during World War I and the early stages of the Great Depression. Pitt played one of the brothers, a role that showcased his early promise. The film was praised for its stunning cinematography, winning an Academy Award in the category, and garnered multiple other nominations. However, despite the film’s critical success, Pitt himself was far less impressed with his performance.

In a candid conversation with Entertainment Weekly, Pitt reflected on his time working on the film, acknowledging the huge opportunity it represented but also noting the personal struggle he faced. “It’s hugely complimentary,” he said, “but you want to find your own thing. You want to stake your own claim. You don’t want to be called a copycat.” He went on to admit that, despite the film’s success, he didn’t feel his performance lived up to the standard he set for himself. “Robert Redford made a quality movie. But I don’t think I was skilled enough. I think I could have done better.”

Pitt took his self-assessment further in an interview with The LA Times, where he didn’t hold back in calling his performance “weak” and “just bad.” He went on to explain that working with Redford, one of his heroes, added a level of pressure that hindered his ability to fully inhabit the role. “I had an ultimate respect for Redford, and so I just felt this pressure not to let him down, and ultimately that gets in the way,” he said. “So what do you learn? Just do your thing.”

Looking back at the early stages of his career, Pitt recognizes that A River Runs Through It was a valuable learning experience. He acknowledges that, despite the nerves and pressure of being in front of someone he greatly admired, the experience ultimately taught him important lessons about trust in his craft and finding his own path as an actor.

Pitt’s openness about his perceived shortcomings in A River Runs Through It serves as a reminder that even the most accomplished actors have their moments of doubt. It also shows his willingness to learn and grow from those early missteps, which ultimately helped him evolve into one of the most versatile and respected actors in Hollywood today.