SaturdayFebruary 11 2012 7-DAY TV&RADIO GUIDE page 27

WilliamBoyd on thebooks that inspired hislatest spythriller 15

George Clooney ‘I felt Iwas goingtodie. IfeltIcouldn’t live with so much pain’

PLUS TheBritish Film Power100 10 saturday review Saturday February 11 2012 | the times

CAROLYN KASTER /AP theconversation ‘I can’tmourn what Iused to be. Youhavetoreinventyourself’

At 50,GeorgeClooney hasthe keys to Hollywood,ahotlinetoObama andSudaneserebelsonhis cellphone. But, Tim Teeman finds, he’s also aworkaholicwho is depressed by fame andterrifiedofbecomingirrelevant

erhaps in adiscreet restaurant booth with Clooney,who wonanOscar forBest but Iwill alwayslet people down. Iwill makes up facts, does the smartthingof aScotch, or playing blackjackinacasino SupportingActor for Syriana in 2006, alwaysbe5ft 11in, and olderand shorter attacking the guy askingthe questions as with his buddies, but really —George reveals he is planning“agradual rather than youimagine.”Hestartedtoturngrey opposedtoanswering. It’s easy to debate Clooney,here? It is strange to find the than completeretirement”fromacting. afterhighschool, “but at least my hair when you’ve decidedanswers are yesor patron saint of silver foxesinhis blandly “I’vebeen doingitalongtime. You’re not stuck around”.He’snever dyed it,“and I no. It’s hard to debateifyou acceptthe decorated production company office, allowed to be in front of camera all the don’twear make-up on films, unless Ihave world as it is: shades of grey.” He thinks with drab carpet and chequeredlight time. [Paul] Newman pulleditback. Cary azit to coverup, especially now because Romney will be the Republican candidate, squaresontheceiling,overlookingapetrol Grant stopped. Clint [Eastwood] sets the digitalshows themake-up.” “with RonPaul goingall the waytill he’s station in Studio City, LosAngeles. No bar high: he’sstill crankingout movies The Descendants,inwhich his character 115. Romney’s problem is conservatives statuesquegirlfriend.No Scotch.No tux. and interested.I’m not tired, but Iwant to tendstoacritically illwifewhohascheated don’ttrust him; they won’tvotefor Obama Clooney,nominated foranOscar and a do only great scriptsor workwith directors on him, is his “midlifemovie”,heaccepts. —theyjustwon’t vote.” Baftafor his performance as acrisis-beset Iamdyingtowork with. You’dthink that “Gettingolder on screen is not forpussies Will Obama win asecond term?“Ithink Pfather in The Descendants,iswearinga when youget the pick of the litter, the or the faint of heart. People go on about it would be adisasterfor the countryifhe grey T-shirt(revealingtanned, toned litterwould be great. But it’s very thin. It’s your grey hair,your eyes startingtosag.” didn’t,because we are succeedinginterms arms) and is as handsome as everypicture hard to find class-Ascripts. That’s why Hasheeverhad plastic surgery? “No, of the economyand jobs.”How actively suggests: the puppyeyes, the drollcharm, we [Clooney and Heslov] writethem. At nothing.”Would he? “Never.We’re guys, will Clooney campaign? “I’m well aware the only visible imperfection ascaronhis leastwecan work on subjectmatterwe’re we have the insane great luck of being that an actorstandinguponbehalf of the right armafter elbow surgeryfollowing a interestedin.” able to go bald, fat,wrinkledand grey and President does not help,itmay even do motorbikeaccident. He is also intelligent, He says he is “a restless spirit,not for no one says, ‘You can’tdothat,you can’t damage. They alwaysask me to do fund- modestandstartlinglycandidforsomeone more money or accolades,but because be aleadingman.’Why would anymale raisers, and Iwill, but that’s missingthe who doesn’tlikeinterviews (“I don’tneed there is only acertain amount actorcut around their eyes?Why point.”Clooney reveals he recently met to be more famous”), talkingabout ageing, of time [ten years, he thinks] would youeverf*** with your Vice-President JoeBiden. “I said, ‘You almostdying, his sexuality, issueswith where youget the keys face?” Clooney works out come to Hollywood formoney,you don’t alcohol, and whyitwould be a“disaster” to the f***ingkingdom. and playssport. “You come forwhat we do well: we know how if Barack Obama does not win asecond If Isay,“Iwant to do have to trytolookthe to sell products.’Ithink Obama is hard to presidential term. this”, the studios will best foryour age, not beat,but the Democrats are not good at In our meeting room at Smokehouse do it or Ican raise younger.Itnever sellingthemselves.Isaid to him, ‘You Pictures, his production company with the money inde- works. Youwill al- should sit down with [film producers] longtime collaborator Grant Heslov,are pendently.When ways lose.”Turning Harvey Weinstein and JerryWeintraub, picturesofFrance and Italy in the Second films like[recent 50 “wasn’t abig year”, guys who’vebeen opening, closing and World War, with dates and notes written political thriller] although it marked an sellingprojects foryears, to talk about the on cards. He is “up to my ass”researching The Ides of March acceptance of becom- bestwaytophrasethings.’Ifyousay, ‘Iwant The Monuments Men,his nextfilm, in or The Descendants ing“acharacteractor. If afair tax forthe rich,’Republicans say, whichheportraystheleaderofarealgroup makemoney,that helps youdon’t,the audience ‘You’re forthe redistribution of wealth, a acting his age of arthistorians sent to recoverMich- us makeacouple of new you’re desperatetohold codeword forsocialism.’The message With girlfriendStacey elangelos, da Vincis and Rembrandts loot- films, or there are justgoing on to will go,‘This is silly’. If shouldbe: ‘I’magainsttheredistribution of Keibler; inset,in edby theNazis. to besuperheromovies.” youfall in love with the idea of wealthtotherichestpeopleinAmerica.’” TheDescendants Howbadly does he want the Oscar? “I Clooney has “done more than Iever Clooney points to jobcreation, health- think everyactor would like thought Iwas goingtodo”.Hewas raised care reformand the repeal of “Don’t ask, to win, Idon’t know an actor by mother Nina and father Nick, ajour- ‘Democrats arenot don’ttell”[the discriminatorygays-in-the- who wouldn’t,” he smiles. nalist, to believehehad “social responsi- militarypolicy] as Obama successes. “I won’tbecoy and say bilities” to fulfil. The family was“happy, good at selling “There are gay marriageshappening no.”But he would be but my parents were broke, my mum made themselves. ItoldJoe where it is legal,”headds. Doeshethink happyifitwent to fellow my clothes, my dad said we movedwhen gay marriage should be legalisedfederally, nomineesBrad Pitt the rent wasdue”.Havingtoiledinminor Bidenheshouldsit not only statetostate? “Of course, and it (“myfriend, who’s TV rolesbefore findingfame in ER in the will be, and ageneration on everyone will given twogreat mid-1990s, Clooney is self-aware —and down with Weinstein’ ask, ‘What wasthat about?’”Clooney is performancesthis has been poor —enough not to grouch about to star as one of the lawyers fighting year”), Gary Old- about fame. “I remember cuttingtobacco how youwere in 1998 youwill be greatly forequalityinanLAperformance of 8, man (“some wild in Kentucky,hearingastar complaining disappointedby howyouarein 2012.” Dustin Lance Black’splayabout the court performances”), about their lifeand Iwas like, ‘f*** you’, Likehis character in The Descendants, case againstProposition 8inCalifornia, Demian Bichir (“it but Iwill saythere is no placetogothat “I’m the kind of guy who could justsit in a which madesame-sex marriage illegal. would be acareer- is private now.Spencer Tracywould be room, watchTVand letdays go by”. He has “Gay equalityisthe final leg of the civil changer”) and Jean punchingthe shit out of the guys with daughters in the film; does Clooney want rights movement. Everytime we stand Dujardin(“wonder- videocameras. There is af***ingcamera children? “I don’tknow,Idon’t think about againstequalitywestand on the wrong ful”),hismain“Best wherever yougo. No one is designedto that kind of thing. What youdoinfilms is sideofhistory.We’re not goingtobelec- Actor”rival.Cloon- be watchedall the time.”Hesaysheis separatetoyourlife.” turedonthe sanctityofmarriage by some- ey got the Golden “resigned” to it. Doesitdepress him? “Yes, AlifelongDemocrat,Clooney’s focusis one[NewtGingrich]wholeftonewifewith Globe forBest but no one wants to hear that. But it would trainedonthe Republican primaries. cancerandanotheronewithMS.It’simpor- Actorinadrama, be alie, disingenuous, not to sayone dayI “They have movedsofar to the right on tant to believeinmarriage and sanctity, Dujardin the Gold- would liketotakeawalk, or read abook, immigration and gays. Their idea that the buteveryoneshouldhavetherighttoit.” en Globe forBest inCentralPark.” richest Americans shouldn’t pay4per cent The Republicans aren’t the only ones Actorinacomedy or As forbeing dubbedthe world’ssexiest more tax ...”Hesighs. Would he be happy with agay problem, Isay.Why hasn’t any musical, as well as the SAG man: “I don’tthink that way. Who youare topay?“Yes,ofcourseIwould.Mostpeople major film star come out in Hollywood? award; both are also up for and what your image is are twodifferent would. Howcan they argue againstit?” Of He lookssurprised.“I’mnotquitesurewho the LeadingActor Bafta things. I’m not that guy from [his breakout Newt Gingrich, Clooney says: “I wouldn’t that is. There are gayactors in Hollywood; inLondontomorrow. film]Outof Sight.Itwasareallysexymovie, want to debatehim. He’s effective: he Continuedonpage10 12 saturday review Saturday February 11 2012 | the times George Clooney six of thebest

TOM WILLIAMS /NEWSCOM Continuedfrompage8 pretty much everyone knows who they ‘I cansay,“Thisis Screen romances chosenbyBarry Norman are.”Sowhy haven’tthey come out —is BRITISH FILM INSTITUTE; THE KOBAL COLLECTION there an issue there? “Of course there wrong, this is right.” Therehave beensex is, but there are immensely successful out ItalkinCongress, andromancein the gaymenplayingstraightmenontelevision moviessincethey andnoonesaying,‘That isn’tallowed.’ ” Ican go to theUN’ started.But Istruggleto There are rumours about Clooney being ‘thinkofarecent gay,which Pittstokedwhen he said he and to myself”. Is being in love important? “Oh romanticfilmthatsticks Angelina Joliewouldn’t get marrieduntil it sure, of course, not justwho youhappen to inmymind.Atthe waslegal forClooney.Clooney recently be with but also in your friendships and momentHollywood professedhimself impressedbyMichael family.” Will he ever re-marry?Helaughs. seemsinterestedin Fassbender’s penis. “Honest to God, who “I don’tknow and I’m never goingto makingmovies about cares?” he says of the hearsay. Would answerthatquestion.” vegetarianvampires. Clooney have come out by now if he were What about his wilder periods? “There Filmscandescendinto gay,Iask. “That’s agood question,”hesays. were times, sure. Iwas single in 1994 when sentimentalityand “I probably wouldn’t have done tenor15 ER gotpicked up.Wewent from obscurity schmaltzlargelybecause years ago—it would have been hard to to the coverofNewsweek in twoweeks. they’rebeingmade for continue doingthe kinds of films Iwanted There wasalot of gettingintotrouble. I peopleaged15to 18;no casablanca(1942) Thebestromantic adventure film. to do.Itwould be easier now at 50,not do- drank pretty seriously.There were roller- one’sbotheringtoomuch Bogart andBergman wanted out —the script was ingromanticleadingroles.I’dliketothinkI coasterridesof drinking.”Anddrugs?“Yes, aboutthescript.It’sthe still beingwritten on set. But thechemistryis would comeout,I’d liketothinkI’d be man in the early Eighties, recreational like actionandthemovement wonderful anditmust be themost quoted film enough.I’vestoodup foralot of thingsthat everyoneelse. It wasn’t an issue. Booze was thatthosekids seemto gotmeintrouble overtheyears.” forabit. Ididn’t wake up and drink, butIhit want.Idon’tthinkthey He is referring to his humanitarian work it pretty good at night sometimesand had wanttogoto thecinema in Darfur:“Once you’re there, it’s to payattention.”Henever neededhelp, toengagetheirbrains. impossible to walk away.The trickiest “butIneverwanteddrinkingtobecomeha- Thefirstromanticfilm thingispublic fatigue. Youhavetolet it die bitual. Ihaven’t had adrink since New Icanrememberseeing down even when there are terrible things power play Clooney with Obama at aDarfur event. “Itwould be adisaster if he didn’t getasecondterm” Year’s.InJanuaryoraround my birthdayI wasPillowTalkwithDoris go foracouple of months without adrink DayandRock Hudson.I goingon—then hit it again. People get everytwo or three months. Istill deal with justtomakesure it’s not something I‘do’.” foundthatverycharming. numb to the message.”His father is his pain. Iknow when Iwakeupitwill always He hashadtherapy, onceasmarriageguid- Anunhappyendingina “touchstone”.When he wasaccusedof feellikeahangover,butIcan’t mournwhat ance with Balsam, “then Istuck with this romanticfilmgivesit beingunAmerican, objectingtothe Iraq Iusedtobe.” guy forawhile as someone to talk to.Itwas somethingofanedge, war, he asked his father whether he wasin Clooney smiles. “I fear death likemost useful. If Ididn’t have the friends Ihave butromanceandcomedy trouble. “Do youhavemoney?” his father people, but I’m arealist: Ithought,‘Well, now,Iwouldhaveatherapist.” workverywell together. asked.Yes,said Clooney.“Are youwork- youcan die youngorlivelongenough to Clooney is languid but driven. “I enjoy Foragreat screen ing?” Yeah, said Clooney.Clooney Sr:“So watchyour friends die’.Itdoesn’t end well myself. If youhad my career and life, I romance,youhaveto shut up,goout and talk about what you whatever.” He laughs.“Havingunderstood would be really pissedoff with youifyou haveanobvious when harrymet sally(1989) All theway through brief encounter (1945) It’s quite an amazingfilm. It hasverylittlerelevance to today—theactingis believein.” that —and that is the driving force of my weren’t enjoying yourself. I’d be like, ‘You chemistrybetweenthe youwantthemtoget together.Great performances very stiff upper lip and thewhole messageofthe film is that honour is more important than passion. But Clooney won’teverrun forpublic life—it mademego, ‘You mustattacklife have gotthe brass ring, dude—ifyou’re twostars.Ifyouhaven’t by MegRyanand Billy Crystal. Andeveryone Tell that to anybody nowand they laughatyou. Andyet it’s done so beautifully by DavidLeanand office. “Itdoesn’t looklikefun. Barack and not get draggedintothings that mean notenjoyingityou’read***’.Peopleexpect gotthatit doesn’tmatter remembersthe fakeorgasm sceneinthe diner Noël Coward, andpeople keep goingbackand watchingit Obama is having adifficult time doing nothing’.Ifyou knew youhad aweek left, youtoenjoythis lifeand youshould.”As howgoodtherestof basic governinggiven how polarised what’s moreimportant—awardstatuettes forthefuture: “Everytime youseearetired thefilmis,itisn’t going gone with the wind things are. My hat is offtothose guys or the films youleave behind? Is what person they seem to play golf and die. I towork. Havana,for (1939) Foralong time I whose politicsIdon’tagree with whose people pigeonhole youasimportant? If have no interest in that shit. This is fun, but example,hadagreat undervalued it.Ithought hats are in the ring. Idon’t have asuper- yousit in Hollywood and get caught up in I’m terrifiedofthe moment when you’re directorandapretty it wasaglorified chick- PAC[political action committee] of it,orgoogleyourself,youliveinhell.” the guy who goes to the studio and says, goodscreenplaybut it flickthatdefended funders who,ifIgotintooffice, I’d owe Speculation continuously bubbles ‘Hey,I’vegot this idea’, and they’re like, didn’twork because the slaveryinthe South. everythingto. Ican say, ‘This is wrong, this around his love life. He wasmarriedto ‘Thanks forstoppingby’,and youwalk out sparkbetweenRobert Butatthe heartofitis is right.’Italk in Congress about Sudan. I actress Talia Balsam, and he draws aveil and they roll their eyes.The easiest way RedfordandLenaOlin thegreatestunresolved have rebel leaders on my cellphone. Ican over his subsequent relationships (includ- to become irrelevant is to stop.You have to justwasn’t there.IfIknew love storyinhistory gototheUNandnotworryaboutwhoIam ingwith Elisabetta Canalis and, presently, reinventyourself.” whatthatsparkwas I’d pissingoff.” former wrestler StacyKeibler) “because What are his faults? “I don’tthink patentitandsellit.That He sounds likeaworkaholic.“Yes, I what matters are the fewthings Ican keep patience is avirtue, especially when you’re littlesomething extrais spent alot of time unemployedand can’t doinghumanitarian work. Ialwayssay, whatturnsagood film forgetthat.Istill thinkof myselfas anactor ‘Whycan’t this happen now?’ Ican get intoagreatfilm. who has to prove himself, who is con- ‘Itwould be easier for angry, but youmellow as youget older. I Tomark its70th stantlyaware of the factit will go away.You me to comeout now, love what Ido, Ipushthe envelope, aware anniversaryCasablanca iknowwhere i’m going (1945) Ayoung, pragmatic gregory’s girl (1981) Gregoryplays in theschool can’tenjoyitunless youhavethat perspec- thatluckhasgottenmetothisspot.”Ithink isscreeningin ’ woman plans to marry arich, olderman on aScottish football team buthe’snogood and gets replaced by tive.” He’s bought “outright with cash” at 50.I’d liketothink hehasfinished,butafterapauseheadds— selectedcinemas island.But magical elements —fog andastorm— agirl. Yo u’dexpect him to resentthis buthefalls housesinLAand Lake Como,which he “andunderstandingthatluckchanges.” fromthisweekend keep herinthe companyofayoungnaval officer in love with her, that’s thebeautiful thingabout it cansell if timesget lean. “I’venever had a I’dbeman enough’ TheBaftaFilmAwards,BBCOne, trainer,Idon’thaveachef, Iliketodowork tomorrow9pm around the house if Ican. Ican fix my motorcycle. When this is all gone Ican still 5minutes with Meat Loaf takecare of myself.”Sohow does he deal with universal adulation? “By feelinglikeI MeatLoaf,64,bornMarvin LeeAday, found Willyoueverchoosebetweenmusic Canyoudivulgeanyofyour acting am undeserving,that youcan’t believe famewithhis1977albumBatoutofHell, andacting? secrets? yourluckwhenthey’renicetoyou.” whichhassoldmorethan43millioncopies. Ijustwantto actnow.Singingworeme Ilikecreatingdetailed backstories. l’llgive Clooney has araw awareness of his own Hisbrandof operaticrock hasbeenglobally out.Theaveragerockmelodyisno my characterabackstoryall thewayfrom mortality: while shooting Syriana he in- successful,withhitsincludingDeadRinger morethansixnotes:BatOutof Hellhas hisfirstmemoryataround4. juredthe base of his neck, leaving him — forLoveandI’dDoAnythingforLove almostafour-octaverange.IloveTom he recently said —insomuch pain he con- (ButIWon’tDoThat).Hisparallelcareer Jones,butDelilahhasthemelodyof an Doesthattechnique work? templated suicide. “I wasinreal trouble,” asastage, TVandfilmactorhasincluded oldpubsong.TheonetimeIdidn’tnailit Well,whenIwasin[themedicalTV hetellsme.“ItfeltlikeIwashavingastroke. rolesinTheRockyHorrorPicture Show wasinBelfastin2010.Thatwasn’ta drama]House,ittookmybestfriend Forthe firsttime Icontemplated my mor- andFightClub. greatshow.Afterwards,Ihad 15minutesto figureoutitwasme. talityand whether Ihad accomplishedall I swollenvocalcords. wanted.Ifelt Iwas goingtodie or have to Whydidyoucallyournewalbum Hell in Everthoughtaboutgoinginto die; Ifelt Icouldn’t live with so much pain.” aHandbasket? Actingitis,then. Doyouhave politics?There’splentyofacting He had three operations. “I took painkill- NotbecauseIwanted“Hell”inthetitle tounlearnthingsyoulearnt inthat... ers, but the more youtake, the more you again!I’vebeensayingitforyearsandright asamusician? I’mconsideringitnow,because need—it’s an escalatingthing and I’m too nowtheworldreallyisgoingtohellina No,becauseI’mnota I’veneverseen somanystupid much of acontrol freak to allow that.”He handbasket.Communismdidn’twork, musician,I’manactor. Igive people.Ihonestlybelievethat I went to “a pain-management guy”who socialismdidn’twork.I’mnotsayingthat actinglessonstoeveryone couldsitdownwithSarkozy, helpedchangehis“painthreshold”,encour- capitalismisbest,butyoucan’tshutdown onstagewithme.WhenI MerkelandObamaandtellthem aginghim to think, “If Ihad been bornthis forlunchforfourhours:howdo youmake wentto seeREOSpeedwagon, howtoworkit out. way, Iwouldn’t know it as painful. If it gets money?Ifsomebodyyellsatmeaboutthat, Igavethemnotesfortheir EdPotton super-bad Itakeamigraine drug that backoff,dude,you’llneedthathealthcare performance.Their managertold HellinaHandbasketisout knocks me out forthe day. Itakeitonce survivor AneckinjurywhileshootingSyriana left Clooney in cripplingpain forthedentistyou’regonnaseesoon. metheyactually listenedtothem. onFeb27