Brad Pitt’s One Role He Can’t Watch—And the Hollywood Legend Who Made It Tougher

Brad Pitt’s career is a masterclass in range and star power, with roles that have defined modern cinema—from the intensity of Seven to the eccentric brilliance of 12 Monkeys and the laid-back charm of Once Upon a Time in Hollywood. But even Hollywood’s golden boy has a performance he wishes he could take back.

The Role That Fell Short

For Pitt, that role was in Robert Redford’s 1992 drama A River Runs Through It. Set against the sweeping Rocky Mountain landscapes during World War I and the Great Depression, the film follows two sons of a Presbyterian minister navigating family bonds and personal struggles. It was a critical success, winning the Oscar for Best Cinematography and earning multiple nominations.

But despite the film’s acclaim, Pitt looks back on his performance with a wince. Speaking to Entertainment Weekly, he admitted that while being cast in a Robert Redford movie was an honor, it came with a unique challenge: “It’s hugely complimentary, but you want to find your own thing. You don’t want to be called a copycat… Robert Redford made a quality movie. But I don’t think I was skilled enough. I think I could have done better.”

The Pressure of Working With a Hero

In an interview with The Los Angeles Times, Pitt didn’t mince words: “My performance in A River Runs Through It… It was weak. I was just bad.”

He attributed much of that to the pressure of performing in front of one of his cinematic idols. “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. So what do you learn? Just do your thing.”

It was an early career lesson in shaking off intimidation and trusting his own instincts—a lesson that would serve him well in the decades to come.

A Learning Curve With Lasting Impact

While Pitt may cringe at the performance, A River Runs Through It was hardly a career misstep. The role helped cement his status as a leading man and gave him an early taste of the high stakes and personal pressures that come with prestige projects.

Looking back now, the self-criticism feels almost ironic given the trajectory of Pitt’s career since—an Oscar-winning actor, producer, and enduring Hollywood fixture. But it also reveals a humility and self-awareness that has kept him pushing for better with every role.

In the end, Pitt’s “weakest” performance might just have been one of his most important—because it taught him the very lesson that would fuel his best work.