George Clooney: Sexiness Served Up With Sarcastic Humor

George Clooney isn’t exactly the shy type, and he’ll be vocal on just about anything — except his love life. He's especially opinionated about social and political causes that are important to him, whether it be speaking out against the war in Iraq, calling attention to the tragedies in Darfur or campaigning to stop intrusive paparazzi. So what did the quick-witted star have to say about his latest dramatic thriller, “Michael Clayton,” where he plays a fixer in a corporate law firm who deals with potentially scandalous legal problems? Here's what Clooney, 46, revealed at this year's Toronto International Film Festival about his new movie (which he executive produced) and much more.

What’s your take on “Michael Clayton” being an “issue film” that addresses larger problems in our society?

You can take these characters and this story and put them into a medical drama or a government drama. The truth is that [the movie] is about a flawed individual who comes to the realization that he’s looking for redemption, and [it’s about] decisions made based on self-interest. At what point do you keep moving along that morality line? It’s interesting storytelling that we’ve been doing for years. And the reason why we tell [these stories] is that we do suspect that in corporate America … that all of those [immoral] things are very real. And that’s what resonated with me. The truth of the matter is that it’s really hard to find a good script. This is a great script, and you read it and you think, “This movie has got to get made.”

What part of the movie affected you the most?

The love scene with Tilda [Swinton]. [Editor’s note: He’s joking. Swinton plays Clooney’s nemesis in the movie.] It was so good. She knocked on my door, and said, “George, let’s rehearse this love scene.” … Listen, you watch a lot of really good actors at their best, like watching Tilda in a bathroom stall falling apart. There’s something really beautiful about watching characters who seem in control but not really in control. I loved watching [my costar] Tom [Wilkinson] in that scene in the alley, because he’s so good.

Did you draw from your passion for human rights to play this role?

I grew up in a family where my mother and my father were involved in social and political issues. Those always weigh on [other parts] of my life. But it didn’t really inform much of what I was doing [for this movie]. There were actual interoffice memos [that I saw] of companies literally saying from one department to the other, “If you recall this, it’s going to cost you $300 million, or if you don’t, it’ll kill 300 people a year and the class action lawsuit would cost $300,000 and you’ll save this many people’s lives.” Those were real documents that were passed around. Those documents to me were very informed of how I would play the part.

Because you took a pay cut for this role, did you negotiate to have control to change your character or the script in any way?

No, I didn’t tweak anything. [“Michael Clayton” writer-director] Tony [Gilroy] wrote a great part. … Sometimes you do films for as little as possible because you want to get the movies made, like “The Good German” or “Good Night, and Good Luck” or “Syriana.” It’s alright. I do okay. But [a pay cut] doesn’t allow me any leeway. Trust me. Maybe for a first-time director, but there’s no manipulating [Tony Gilroy], I promise you that. I tried. … His movie was so well-prepared from the very beginning, it was like working with an old pro.

Do you think this movie would’ve gotten made without your clout behind it?

Sometimes it gets lost in translation. Producers of the film do the work; they get the money to put the film together. They actually day in and day [out] produce a film. If the film wins an Oscar, the producer gets the Oscar. The executive producer is supposed to help knock your way through roadblocks. It’s not very difficult. They [did the real work], not me.

Do you have anything to say about your new girlfriend, Sarah Larson?

Next question. When have I ever answered questions about my personal life? Enjoy yourself. Have a nice day.

Do you think the film will get backlash from lawyers?

There are five or six lawyers in the world named Michael Clayton that I’ve had letters from. They’re not thrilled.

What film has made you cry the most?

The premiere of “Batman and Robin.” A couple of moments in “The Peacemaker” made me cry.

You’re known for your witty one-liners. Did you slip any into the script when filming?

No. I believe I didn’t veer from a single word. When the script is really well written, it’s easy. The hard part is when [the script] isn’t well written. You have to find a way to make it work and fill in little bits and pieces. I had that experience a few other times where the script was really well written — in “Out of Sight” and “O Brother, Where Art Thou?” — and you’re just trying to serve the material.

How important is it to do movies that have a social message?

Usually you find that preachy movies about anything are very strident … and most of the scripts you get are that way, and they’re not entertainment. If you’re going to do that, just do a documentary. Find a way to make it entertaining, like “The Constant Gardener” or “City of God.”

Audiences often have a hard time separating a celebrity’s persona from the character he plays. Does that influence your movie choices?

If you think about Clark Gable or Spencer Tracy, they basically played themselves in all their movies. Laurence Olivier played a lot of different characters, but we didn’t take to him as much as we did to Spencer Tracy or Clark Cable or Cary Grant. Now, [celebrities] have been demystified because people know more about your life …

Anything else to add about today’s celebrities?

There’s a lot of people called celebrities who are sucking up celebrity air who aren’t really doing anything, but they’re famous. It creates a vacuum in a way.

Got any examples?

Brad Pitt, okay? [Says jokingly.]

Speaking of Brad Pitt, do you guys have a healthy competition with each other?

[Says jokingly.] You know, I’ll tell you right now. I don’t like him. … There will never be competition with my friends, ever. I feel more competition with Matt Damon.
Going through awards season, you finish it and then you find yourself thinking, “I’m helping the film,” and that’s a good thing. But at some point you’re actually campaigning for the idea that you can compare art, and I always think that’s a dangerous place to go.

Does that mean you’ll never be a juror for any film festivals?

That means you have to watch a lot of films. I’ve never done it before. It would be interesting. I’ve never been asked. I don’t know why. They don’t think I’m smart.

What’s your favorite Brad Pitt movie?

[Says jokingly.] “Johnny Suede.” In fairness, he’s a really great actor. People don’t often say that enough about him. What he did in “Snatch” was just phenomenal. I’m working with him right now on the “Burn After Reading” movie, and it kills me because he’s doing stuff that I know he’s going to steal the movie, and I’m going to murder him.