Brendan Gleeson has opened up about what it was like working with Hollywood great Ben Affleck. The pair star alongside each other in American crime drama, Live By Night.
The film is based on a novel by Dennis Lehane, and tells the story of a group of individuals and their dealings in the world of organised crime, during the Prohibition Era. Golden Globe winner Ben plays leading man Joe Coughlin, and Brendan plays the part of his father Thomas.
The Irish actor had planned to take some time out of acting, but was honoured to have been asked by Gone Girl star Ben to take part in the film, so he rethought his decision.
Speaking to The Irish Sun he said, “But then you get a chance to be in an actual gangster movie, and one with a degree of class. It also happened at the end of a year when I was a bit shattered. I was kind of saying, ‘Ah, really, I should stop.’
“Then Live by Night comes along. I knew that first night it was going to be something special, and when I saw the finished film, I was so happy because Ben really pulled it off. I’m really proud of this film.”
The Dubliner spoke of the admiration he has for his co-star, in terms of his acting and directing talent, calling him daring, wonderful and fearless.
“He’s really something special, Ben. Everyone knows he’s bright but he has wonderful instincts too and this is a really brave move for him.
“He’s daring to take on possibly the most beloved genre of all, in terms of the classic movies, and he dares to go in there and make a movie for 2017.
“That takes guts, just amazing fearlessness, and there’s excitement underneath that. What he’s doing with this film is saying, ‘Okay, here’s the balcony, it’s very, very secure. Now I’m going to jump off it.’ I just think he’s an amazing film-maker,” he said.
Live By Night hits cinemas on January 13th nationwide.
