The rise of Joaquin Phoenix from a child actor to a renowned Hollywood icon speaks volumes of his outstanding acting abilities and commitment to his craft. Whether he’s portraying a real-life figure like Johnny Cash in Walk the Line or delving into the dark and tormented mind of Arthur Fleck in Joker, Phoenix fully immerses himself in his characters.
However, despite having worked in Hollywood for almost 40 years, Joaquin Phoenix still feels acting anxiety. The 48-year-old actor, in an interview with Esquire magazine, addressed his nervousness weeks before production starts.
Joaquin Phoenix Admitted He Suffers from Crippling Nerves on Film Sets
Famous actor Joaquin Phoenix revealed in an interview with Esquire that he experiences crippling nerves on set that lead him to “uncontrollably shaking” despite earning four Oscar nominations over the course of his 40-year career.
It was reported that Phoenix “gets crippling anxiety for weeks before shooting starts,” adding that “the day before, he feels physically sick.”
The acclaimed actor told Esquire magazine:
“I don’t know my craft. Every f***ing movie I feel like it’s my first. I’m uncontrollably shaking, physically nervous. No way am I like, ‘Yeah, I got this’. Every time feels f***ing terrifying. They have to put f***ing pads in my armpits because I sweat so much.”
Of the nerves he feels in those situations, Phoenix said, “It’s pure anxiety. And I love it.”
Renowned for his method-acting approach, he delves deep into the psyche of his characters, often undergoing drastic physical transformations and adopting authentic accents to breathe life into them.
Joaquin Phoenix – The Mastery of Method Acting
Throughout his illustrious career, Joaquin Phoenix has become synonymous with the art of method acting. He has been able to develop complex and multidimensional portrayals that really resonate with audiences because of his this methodical approach.
Phoenix spent months researching the psychological aspects of mental illness for his role as Arthur Fleck in Joker, and he drastically reduced his weight to represent the character’s emaciated appearance.
In Walk the Line, where he portrayed the iconic musician Johnny Cash, Phoenix’s emotional connection with the character was palpable. He received critical acclaim and an Academy Award nomination for his portrayal after mastering Cash’s distinct singing voice and capturing the essence of his chaotic life.
Phoenix underwent rigorous physical training to replicate the physique of a Roman gladiator for his role as Commodus in Gladiator, in addition to studying Roman history and the historical figure’s life.
In Her, Phoenix played Theodore Twombly, a lonely man who falls in love with an artificial intelligence operating system. His emotionally charged portrayal of Theodore’s struggles with intimacy and human connection earned him critical acclaim and showcased the depths of his method of acting prowess.
Phoenix keeps pushing the limits of his ability with each new role, breathing life into characters with unparalleled authenticity and emotional depth.
Source: Belfast Telegraph
