The iconic movie Gene Hackman never wanted to see: “I doubt I’ll even watch the thing”
There are many actors who find it hard to detach themselves from a performance and view it objectively. The likes of Julienne Moore, Tom Hanks, Joaquin Phoenix and Nicole Kidman have all spoken about how they’ve struggled to switch off and objectively enjoy some of the films they have starred in, while Zendaya, Emma Stone and Samuel L Jackson have spoken about their ability to watch their own movies and view their work as the life of another person that isn’t them. Quentin Tarantino has also spoken about this phenomenon, discussing his love for his own films and how, if he couldn’t watch them, how could he expect anyone else to? However, it is hard to imagine when an actor is equally as loved as one of their projects, with Gene Hackman nonchalantly sharing how there is one project of his that he will never see.
Hackman is one of the most iconic figures of the New Hollywood movement. He rose to fame after starring in Bonnie and Clyde and later became one of the most revered actors of his generation through performances in The Conversation, The French Connection, The Royal Tenenbaums, and Scarecrow. Through his intense interiority and sensitive yet brooding persona, the actor established an unwavering presence in the film industry as one of the most versatile and committed performers, challenging himself through characters in many different genres.
However, despite being so esteemed and compelling on screen, Hackman has frequently discussed his intense insecurity and discomfort over watching his performances, sharing how he often becomes extremely self-critical about his appearance.
The actor does not have a conventional Hollywood look, and as a younger man, he was even told by an acting coach that he would never amount to anything. Hackman was inundated with doubts and negative comments about his talent, something that perhaps influenced his harsh interpretation of his own work.
It was because of this insecurity that Hackman steered away from his 1992 film Unforgiven and actively avoided any chance of watching it. It is one of the many accomplishments of Clint Eastwood as a director, who also stars in the movie in the lead role of William Munny. It is one of the most acclaimed projects with Eastwood behind the camera, yet even this couldn’t tempt Hackman to take a peek at not only his performance but that of Morgan Freeman and Eastwood.
When describing this decision, Hackman said, “I doubt I’ll even watch the thing. I’m too self-conscious to care much for watching my performances. The awards are fine, the nice houses that come with a successful career, the acclaim and all that – but the only thing I’m in this business for is the thrill of making a scene work.”
While he might not have seen the final version of the film, perhaps the insider knowledge and experience of performing alongside Freeman and Eastwood is enough. Watching the film might burst the bubble, and for Hackman, the memory of working on the project is just as rewarding as watching the end result.
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