Colin Farrell talked about why he often plays troubled characters. In a conversation for an interview series, he explained his fascination with human pain. He believes suffering is a universal experience, more common than feeling joy. Every violent act seems to stem from personal pain, in his view. He just finished a role as a gambling addict in a new film called Ballad of a Small Player.
Farrell said he did not directly use his own past struggles with addiction for this part. He thought that experience was too specific. He saw the character's addiction as a symptom of deeper, unaddressed fears. The role instead let him explore a general state of agitated sorrow. He admitted to dealing with his own anxiety and depression over the years.
He recognizes his acting career is a major privilege. It gives him a space to process his feelings and experiences. Still, he knows his work cannot solve real-life problems. He mentioned his eldest son, James, who has a rare genetic condition called Angelman syndrome. No amount of acting can give his son the ability to speak, Farrell noted. He stressed the importance of allowing ourselves, and our kids, to simply feel overwhelmed sometimes.
Farrell said he did not directly use his own past struggles with addiction for this part. He thought that experience was too specific. He saw the character's addiction as a symptom of deeper, unaddressed fears. The role instead let him explore a general state of agitated sorrow. He admitted to dealing with his own anxiety and depression over the years.
He recognizes his acting career is a major privilege. It gives him a space to process his feelings and experiences. Still, he knows his work cannot solve real-life problems. He mentioned his eldest son, James, who has a rare genetic condition called Angelman syndrome. No amount of acting can give his son the ability to speak, Farrell noted. He stressed the importance of allowing ourselves, and our kids, to simply feel overwhelmed sometimes.
