I have two very different but equally passionate views on the much-debated topic of Robert Pattinson vs. Leonardo DiCaprio. One is that the pair are actually very similar people with similar interests and that their on-screen battles simply reflected the parts they were given. The other side believes that the two are completely different creatures and that they bring entirely different dynamics to any scene.
Here is the thing: I love both actors. I have seen both actors perform and work, and I genuinely enjoyed their work. Furthermore, I think that the world would be a better place with more people like them in it. However, as an individual, I cannot help but notice the difference between the two, and it is a difference that shows in every aspect of their lives, including their personal relationships and how they carry themselves on screen.
Let’s explore this topic a little bit more.
Similarity
Before I begin, let’s establish one thing: I’m not here to argue who is better than the other. I’m not here to argue whether or not Robert is as good as Leonardo. They are two very different individuals who have managed to captivate us with their on-screen chemistry and their undeniable charisma. Even if you don’t like either of them, you cannot help but be drawn into their world. So, let’s not even entertain the idea of comparing one to the other. It would be like comparing apples to oranges, or more appropriately, like comparing one Ferrari to another (the 458 Speciale is a gorgeous vehicle, by the way).
What I am here to do is to show you the similarities between the two, which ultimately makes me believe that they are far more alike than different. Let’s examine their similarities.
Style
The first major similarity between the two is their style. In an interview with Esquire, Leonardo said that he and Robert look like brothers because they both have that same “Italian flare”. He went on to say that they are both very fashionable and dress in a very distinctive way. While I don’t think that there is anything wrong with the way that either of them dress, I must admit that I have never really thought of Leonardo as being particularly distinctive or fashionable. (I have however, thought of Robert as being distinctive and, dare I say, fashionable.)
When I think of fashion and style, I immediately think of Gianni Versace. (If you don’t know who Gianni Versace is, he was an Italian fashion designer who was hugely influential in the ‘90s and is now considered to be one of the most distinctive and fashionable designers of all time.) I immediately connected Robert and Leonardo’s distinctiveness to that of Gianni Versace. While that is a compliment, it is not one that either of them would necessarily welcome. (And you thought all my commentary was going to be about them!)
Comfort
Speaking of compliments, let’s get into a little bit more about Gianni Versace. Here is a man who defined fashion and style well before his time, and though he is now considered to be an all-time great, when he was born, he wasn’t. Even today, when you think of style and fashion, Gianni Versace’s bold, stylish, and very comfortable designs come to mind. And though Robert and Leonardo are obviously not comfortable in themselves, they seem to make others around them feel more at ease. (Think about it: most of us wouldn’t feel comfortable in something so revealing as a bikini, but we would feel perfectly at ease wearing a bikini that Robert or Leonardo were wearing. It’s like they project an aura of confidence and comfort that makes us feel like we can too.)
Seduction
Another way that the two are similar is that they are both very seductive. While some might consider Robert’s appeal to be just his good looks, I would argue that it is much deeper than that. If you really want to get into the minds of the opposite sex, there is no one more effective at doing so than Robert Pattinson. Though Leonardo has never been considered to be beautiful, he has an otherworldly quality that is both mesmerizing and seductive. (When I think of seduction, I always think of Marjorie Merriweather Post, the late, great American publisher who was also a fashion legend. She had this way of talking to men that was both vivacious and seductive. She’d ask a question, but you’d be conscious that she was flirting with you the whole time. It was like she couldn’t help but pluck up the courage to talk to you, and when she did finally corner you, she would ask you for something. It was always a variation on a theme, but the question had something to do with fashion. She’d ask you who your favorite designer was, and before you knew it, you were engaged in a conversation about haute couture. Now, that is seduction!)
Ambition
Ambition is another characteristic that the two share. In a 2005 interview with Vanity Fair, Leonardo stated that he aspires to achieve the type of impact that Gianni Versace had on fashion and style. Though that may seem like a crazy statement to make, it is evident in everything that he does. From the way that he dresses to the way that he acts, there is this desire for distinction that makes him want to be as significant as Gianni Versace was. (I think that this interview was published shortly before or shortly after the fashion designer’s death, so Leonardo may have been trying to convey his admiration and passion for Versace.)
Though Robert’s ambition may not be as grand as Leonardo’s, he still aspires to be the best actor that he can be and wants to make a name for himself. As a result, he has taken on roles that many would consider to be risk-adverse (The Lord of the Rings), but he has also taken on roles that most would consider to be daring (Twilight, Kill Bill). He wants to be well-rounded and versatile, and though he may not always get the roles that he desires, he at least makes the attempt. He is just as ambitious as Leonardo is, but in a more conventional sense. (I think that the only way that that Vanity Fair interview could have ended better is if Robert had punched Leonardo in the face. Just kidding.)
Creativity
A related characteristic that the two have in common is their creativity. Though creativity can be an entirely different and less positive quality, it is evident that Robert and Leonardo are extremely creative. It’s not that they are necessarily artistic or talented, but rather that they have the ability to see things in a different way. When you are given a role, you usually have little to no say in the matter, but in terms of the way that you carry yourself and the way that you interact with others, it is the most creative that you will ever be given the opportunity to be. (An aside: though I often compare Robert to Leonardo, it is important to remember that he is still an actor. Even when he is not working, he is always thinking about his next role and brainstorming new ideas with his co-stars and friends. He never stops being creative. Even today, when he retires from acting, he will continue to be creative and build upon his existing portfolio of work. While some might consider him to be “checked out” or bored, I would argue that he is simply creative. He finds new ways to solve old problems and challenges himself constantly. Most importantly, he always wants to challenge himself and find new ways to entertain himself, even when he is not working.)
Intelligence
Though both Robert and Leonardo have a fairly high IQ, it is clear that they are also very intelligent. In a 2005 interview with Vanity Fair, Leonardo discussed his intelligence, stating that he felt that the more you know, the better person you can be, both in and out of the boardroom. He also discussed his love of learning new things, which is something that Robert shares. In a 2015 interview with Rolling Stone, Robert stated that he wanted to become the best actor that he could be and that he hoped to continue learning for the rest of his life. He also said that he loved to debate and talk about different ideas and concepts with other people. Though they might not always show it, they are both highly intelligent, well-read, and inquisitive individuals, which makes them even more similar than they already are.