'A WEDDING IS MORE THAN A CEREMONY' - by Dagmar Dunlevy
It was back in 2005 that sparks flew – onscreen and off – between Brad
Pitt and Angelina Jolie in Mr. & Mrs. Smith. Now, after nearly a decade
together, Hollywood’s power couple has culminated their courtship by
making things official with a summer wedding.
The parents to six children (Maddox, 13, Pax, 10, Zahara, 9, Shiloh, 8,
and twins Knox and Vivienne, 6) are also back in front of the camera
together as they film the 2015 romantic drama By the Sea.
It’s written and directed by Brad’s new wife. He and Angelina married in
an intimate ceremony at their French home Château Miraval in August in a
stunning family celebration they shared with Hello!
Brad, 50, has had no shortage of adventure lately. Just last month, he
and his family met the Queen when she made Angelina, 39, an honorary
dame. “That was just cool,” he tells Hello! “To see the kids bow and say
‘Your Majesty’ was an absolute delight.”
In our exclusive interview, Brad – who’s winning rave reviews as a tank
commander in the war drama Fury – opens up to Hello! about romancing
Angelina and how far he’s come in Hollywood:
Congratulations on your wedding. It seems like the world was waiting for
that.
Yeah, us too! [Laughs]
What’s changed since then?
I feel like a married man. Yes, I do. We have six kids and our kids were
asking [about a wedding], so we thought it would be a lovely thing to do
with our family, and it was. But I was surprised afterwards that it is
more than just a ceremony. I was surprised by the furthering of the depth
of commitment. That’s all I got. [Smiles]
While you worked on Fury, Angelina was in Australia directing Unbroken.
How did you manage that time apart?
It was a unique experience for us both to be studying the war. We have
email and we have Skype, but we thought it might be interesting to just
write letters, as they had to at that time. They were gone for great
amounts of time without communication with their loved ones, and we did
that. I will tell you what’s amazing: you do communicate in a different
way. It was an interesting and lovely surprise.
How do you manage your schedules?
We usually take turns. If someone is with the kids, you work behind the
scenes while someone is in front. [With both of us working] I would have
half the kids with me and she would have half with her and we would find
ways to figure out the conjugal visits and all that, but it was
logistically challenging. I don’t want to do it again, let me just say
that.
How do you like spending time together as a family?
We always have dinner together. It’s our time to talk about the day and
what everyone is feeling. We talk about everything.
Are your children excited about travel?
I had never even been on a plane until I was 25 years old, so everywhere
I got to travel to, whether it was the Netherlands, Tokyo or Belgium, was
all such an experience and so exciting for me at that time. Now, on this
schedule, we have little time to indulge in a country. When we get to go
as a family we’re trying to carve out days where we experience more of
the culture of the country.
Do you think your children are getting a wellrounded sense of life
outside of Hollywood?
They are getting it as they are travelling the world. They see how
different people live and the conditions that people are challenged with.
They are getting it and they will get it.
What led you to start living in France?
The first idea was to get our kids to a place where they can just be kids
and explore. We also wanted everyone to learn another language. The kids
just started and are all speaking French now, so they have a chance to
expand their world view.
Why the south of France in particular?
It just felt right. I think my French is pretty good. My writer-director
put a lot of French in the film we are doing now [By the Sea] and my
writer-director, being my wife ...[Laughs] Well, it’s coming along, but
I am determined to learn it.
Tell us about shooting Fury. Did you and your co-stars become close?
We are still a tight group. And when I look at the film, I see a
dysfunctional family.
You play a tank commander. What sort of leader are you?
I’ve discovered that I don’t suck at it. Like being a father, sometimes
you let them have their room. You know when they need to vent and when
they need to get in line. I was the oldest one of the bunch, too, so they
were looking at me for some kind of guidance.
What advice do you have for young actors like some of your co-stars in
Fury?
With time you get to develop your craft and I worry for the younger guys
because they are used up so quickly before they are able to develop it.
I mean, there are guys who are smart and making their way through it.
Shia LaBeouf is certainly one of them.
This film could put you in competition with your wife come awards
season!
[Smiles] It’s great to make it there and it’s great when my friends make it there.
She made an incredible movie (Maleficent). But we are not pitted against
each other, and I hope it gets everything. It’s noteworthy and it’s
definitely worth seeing.
You and Angelina are currently working on the romantic drama By the Sea.
What kind of boss is she on-set?
She’s tough as nails, you must know that! [Laughs] There’s no hiding
that. I am immensely proud. She’s got this. She’s good.
How would you describe your state of mind at age 50?
I am pretty clear about how I want to live my life, what I want from my
kids, my family and my wife and that determines everything. I have never
been one of those guys who thinks about the five-year plan or the 10-year
plan. I have always gone by instinct and have great confidence in that.
That’s been my guide. I will take wisdom over youth any day.
With all that you’ve achieved, what’s next?
We spend so much of our life trying to shake our own personal haunts and
I like that about getting older. I’m just improving. It’s improving on
film, fatherhood, as a husband and a partner.