I nearly fell out of my armchair this morning when I opened up the LA TIMES and Parade Magazine popped out unexpectedly with actor, Brad Pitt, featured on its face.
Although the publicity still on the cover was OK - depicting a fashion savvy, stylish man, caught in a pensive moment - it was a second, staged shot inside the tempting pages, that jarred me!
In sum, it was a cutesy shot of Pitt - looking just past the camera lens into the distance - gripping a mug, with an odd "heads up" kind-of-expression on his face, and a golfing cap roundly perched atop his head.
The image of the hat struck a chord, and I recalled an old expression my elderly Aunt used to use,
"Looks like a pimple on a pig's ass..."
Like putty in hand, Pitt undoubtedly followed the directions of the photographer to a "T".
With fashion stylists hovering about, the scenario obviously unfolded something like this,
"Slight smile, Brad". Or,..."Raise up the cup a tad, please".
I've modelled enough over the years to fathom when a photographer's hand has dabbled in the scheme of things!
Wake up, Brad! You're being manipulated and the image ain't good.
But wait, there's the pithy article, too.
"I've always felt a persuasive sadness," reflects Pitt - with a straight face, I assume.
Huh?
What kind of philosophical crap is this?
Then, he adds with a distinctive air,
"When I see someone without basic health and education, without supportive family, I feel a connection."
How's that?
Curious...since he noted in the interview, "...my Dad made sure our needs were met", and asserted to the writer that his family was very loving, too.
In a nutshell, this interview was a pile of hooey, a calculated effort to spoon-feed the fans, and spin the best possible image of Pitt to an adoring public.
Pitt, soul-searching?
To me, the puff piece fell flat!
The writer heightens the absurdity of the whole fiasco by closing with this gem,
"I glimpse world weariness in (Pitt's) blue eyes, affecting and sad."
Dotson Rader (journalist?) give me a break!
Do you think no one saw through the transparent coddling of a movie icon, or likewise, failed to notice the stardust Pitt expertly tossed in your eyes?
Wonders never cease!
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