Jean Smart (‘Babylon’): ‘Brad Pitt was a fabulous scene partner, it was all in his eyes’

Since being announced in 2019, the new Damien Chazelle has surprised the world with one of the most stellar casts in years. While “Whiplash” gave us that masterful duel between JK Simmons and Miles Teller, and “Star City: La La Land” made us believe we’re back in love with Emma Stone and Ryan Gosling, “Babylon” will condense some of the most well-known faces in the current industry to portray the peculiar characters of classic Hollywood set in the 20s. Among them stand out Margot Robbie, Brad Pitt, Tobey Maguire, Diego Calva Hernández or Katherine Waterston. However, one of the more experienced names is that of Jean Smart, the sharp columnist Elinor St. John who is responsible for reporting everything that happens in this troubled period for cinema. After decades in high school, Smart is currently his best, starring in the award-winning series “Hacks.” With her we had the opportunity to talk on eCartelera about the crazy shooting and share a set with Brad Pitt.

“I really admire all of our extras in the party scenes who showed up on set day after day after day and were charming and inhibited.I take my hat off to them”admitted Smart as he recalled the long sequences of bacchanalia and debauchery, “But I was laughing out loud. I remember there was a party scene at Brad Pitt’s character Jack’s house. It was a pool party, everyone was jumping into the water in tuxedos. I was just sitting there, watching everything, but I didn’t realize that behind me there were four naked boys playing soccer, and I was like ‘Oh thanks Damien, now they’re all looking at me'”.

As a journalist, Elianor has a brutal influence on the careers of the rising stars of classic Hollywood. Silent film was giving its last throes and sound film was here to stay, but journalism would continue as a fourth estate, charged with catapulting or burying the careers of actors and actresses, and embodied in the figure of Smart’s character: “I like the fact that he sees everything from the outside, observing. He’s not necessarily involved in what’s going on around him, and that’s funny. sits down and takes notes”.

An unbeatable stage partner

“There’s a scene where my character and Jack are talking, you understand that Elianor will be immortal”Smart continues,”I thought they were going to cut this scene so beautifully written by Damien and it would break my heart. They didn’t cut anything. With that scene, you see she’s as involved in this magic as anyone else. She seems more tired and detached, but that’s why she moved from England, to be a part of this exciting technology.”. The veteran actress didn’t miss an opportunity to praise her co-star: “Brad Pitt was a fabulous scene partner. He didn’t need to say much, it was all in her eyes”.

‘Babylon’ then arrives in Spanish cinemas 20 th January.