In today’s world, any attention is good attention. And as the world’s most famous face, Rob Pattinson can’t help but attract a lot of attention and press coverage whenever he shows up in public. It doesn’t hurt that he’s ridiculously good-looking either. So it should come as no surprise that a documentary about him was met with huge success at the box office. The answer is clear: regardless of what you thought you knew about him before getting to know him, he’s a whole different person behind closed doors.
Private Life Versus Public Image
The filmmaker Louis Theroux calls Pattinson “the best-kept secret in show business.” While we’ve heard plenty of Rob’s rumored romances and seen photos of him kissing other stars, very little has been revealed about his personal life. In fact, Theroux’s documentary was the first time we got to see him speak about his private life and feelings.
And what a story it was. It turns out that the man behind the myth isn’t as perfect and untouchable as we might have thought, and neither are his fans. In the documentary, Theroux follows Pattinson as he goes about his daily routine – from waking up early in the morning to hitting the beach – and gets to know him as a man and a citizen of the world. He also gets to delve into how the 23-year-old is dealing with the extreme pressure that comes with being the world’s most famous face, as well as the scrutiny that goes along with it.
A Change Of Settings
Before he became famous, Pattinson had already made a name for himself in Hollywood. He was one of the lead actors in the 2005 film version of the musical theatre classic Les Miserables and appeared in the hugely popular television series Downton Abbey. But it was his role as the young King Louis XVI in the historical drama film Elizabeth that put him on the map.
Although there were reportedly tensions between the film’s director and lead actors, it’s clear that they all worked well together. And as a result, it was nominated for numerous awards and became one of the most beloved films of the 21st century. Its subject matter was also particularly relevant at the time, as it was made during the final year of George W. Bush’s presidency and the first year of Barack Obama’s.
It’s not just acting that has made Pattinson a global superstar. In 2019, his status as a leading man was solidified with the premiere of Waterdrop, with Helen Mirren. Directed by Andrea Arnold, the film tells the story of two rival companies bidding for a contract to provide drinking water to a group of isolated communities in rural Northern Ireland. As the CEO of one of the companies, Pattinson must navigate the interests of the big business world while also trying to maintain human connections.
An Insight Into International Affairs
Pattinson isn’t just the King Louis of British television. One of the main draws of the documentary is that it offers a unique insight into international affairs. We get to see Pattinson in scenes from various parts of the world, discussing everything from Brexit to the Syrian civil war. While the film does touch on some serious subject matter, it also offers an intimate look into the daily life of one of the most curious and complex individuals on the planet.
Different Media
Another interesting facet of Robert Pattinson’s Good Time is that it explores the differences between different media. The documentary shows us that even though we’ve gotten used to seeing Rob’s face on countless magazine covers and billboards, it’s not always been easy for him. In fact, at one point in his life, he wanted nothing to do with the spotlight and even considered becoming a monk. But things changed after he was featured on the cover of several major magazines, including GQ and Vanity Fair. Since then, he’s enjoyed a thriving career as a leading man and was even recently named one of Time’s 100 Most Influential People.
Still, there are signs that the pressure is getting to him. In 2018, he admitted to Elle UK that he doesn’t get nervous around the world’s elite anymore, but rather feels anxious about ordinary things. When it comes to his fans, he says it’s important to remember that they’re just like everyone else. “I don’t want to let the paparazzi drag me down,” he said. “I want to keep a good relationship with them. But sometimes it’s hard to be completely inaccessible.”
Since the documentary, the pressure has seemingly got to Pattinson. He’s rarely been seen in public without a smile on his face, but that could simply be because he’s too polite to show his nerves.
More Than Meets The Eye
While his private life has been the main focus of attention since the documentary, it’s also worth investigating the film’s take on popular culture. Does it hold a mirror up to reality? Does it glorify celebrity or is it a critique of the way we consume entertainment today?
The short answer is yes. Yes, it holds a mirror up to reality. And no, it’s not just about celebrity. While there’s no question that Rob’s extraordinary good looks have propelled him to fame, it’s also apparent in the film that he’s a remarkably intelligent and creative individual. Even his most ardent fans wouldn’t accuse him of being stupid or shallow.
The reason why is that even though he has legions of fans, he’s also capable of having insightful discussions about art, literature and politics. In other words, it’s not that he’s pretending to be someone he’s not. It’s that he is someone he’s not. He’s an entirely self-penned individual who has done a great deal of thinking and introspection, which has in turn led him to a lifestyle that many could only dream of. The film’s exploration of his personal life is therefore as much about him as it is about us.
In one scene, Theroux even goes so far as to suggest that we’re all in Rob’s head. When asked by the journalist who he is, Patterson replies “I’m the voice in your head.” And while many stars might have rushed to play down the comparison to William Shakespeare, Rob actually laughs and agrees. “That’s exactly what I’m saying,” he says. “You’re an actor. You’re not supposed to say that. You’re supposed to be Shakespeare.”
So in a sense, while Rob Pattinson’s filmography may be remarkable enough to fill a library, the real value of his work will only be known to those who’ve seen his private side. It’s the best of both worlds: the glamour of Hollywood and the insight of an Edward Norton.