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25th Sep 2022

Martin Scorsese says Adam Driver is the best actor of his generation

April Curtin

HOLLYWOOD, CA - DECEMBER 03: Actor Adam Driver and director Martin Scorsese at the American Cinematheque conversation with Director Martin Scorsese and Producer Irwin Winkler at the Egyptian Theatre on December 3, 2016 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Jonathan Leibson/Getty Images for Paramount Pictures)

The actor lost loads of weight for his role in Scorsese’s movie

Adam Driver is one of the “best actors of his generation”, at least according to Martin Scorsese.

The iconic director, 79, worked with 38-year-old Driver on the 2016 film ‘Silence’ -a historical drama also starring Andrew Garfield and Liam Neeson.

TELLURIDE, CO - AUGUST 31: Adam Driver and Martin Scorsese speak during the Telluride Film Festival 2019 on August 31, 2019 in Telluride, Colorado. (Photo by Vivien Killilea/Getty Images)
Adam Driver and Martin Scorsese at the Telluride Film Festival in August 2019 (Image: Getty)

The film, based on the 1966 novel by Japanese author Shūsaku Endō, sees two 17th-century Portuguese missionaries, played by Driver and Garfield, embark on a perilous journey to Japan to find their missing mentor, played by Neeson.

While Driver was likely pleased with receiving such a huge compliment from one of the most renowned directors of all time, it certainly sounds like he had to work hard to impress.

Speaking to Interview Magazine in 2016, Driver explained how Scorsese asked the actors to lose weight for the movie, which he reportedly ended up losing over three stone for.

Speaking about Driver at Telluride Film Festival in 2019, Scorsese told the audience: “I can’t tell you the perseverance and the beauty of the performance, and the experience I had with him. He has marvellous screen presence. One of the best, if not the best, actors of his generation.”

Adam Driver in 'Silence' (Image: Paramount Pictures)
Adam Driver in ‘Silence’ (Image: Paramount Pictures)

The actor said: “I don’t think I’ve ever taken it to the extreme before. It’s an interesting thing. You’re so hungry and so tired at some points that there’s nothing you can do. You’re not adding anything on top of what you’re doing.”

Despite his empty belly, Driver clearly still enjoyed working with the award-winning director.

He said: “It’s really inspiring to work with someone who’s accomplished so much and is the tip of the pyramid and is still turning to you and wants your ideas and opinions.”

 

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