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I’ve always thought Robert Pattinson is a better actor than people give him credit for. While most of the planet knows him from the Twilight movies, the fact is, since the hugely successful franchise ended, Pattinson has consistently made interesting and cool choices for the kind of roles he wants to play. And in Josh and Benny Safdie’s new film Good Time, he absolutely disappears into his character, playing a robber who finds himself desperate for cash when a botched robbery lands his younger brother in prison. Trust me, Pattinson’s fantastic in the film, and it’s absolutely worth seeing on the big screen. Good Time features original music from OneOhTrix Point Never and Iggy Pop and also stars Benny Safdie, Barkhad Abdi, and Jennifer Jason Leigh.

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Image via A24
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Image via A24

Not too long ago, I sat down with Robert Pattinson and the Safdie Brothers for an exclusive video interview. During the wide-ranging conversation they talked about how they came to work together, their process of writing realistic dialogue and how Pattinson approaches it as an actor, how they approach exposition, why they cut out a crazy sequence, why they always shoot with a lot of close-ups, the way all of them like to work on set, and so much more. In addition, the brothers also talk about their next film Uncut Gems and their reaction to finding out Martin Scorsese would be one of the producers.

Check out what they all had to say in the player above and below is exactly what we talked about followed by the official synopsis.

Robert Pattinson and the Safdie Brothers:

  • How Pattinson decided he wanted to work with the Safdie brothers based on a still from Heaven Knows What.
  • Why did they end up making Good Time instead of Uncut Gems?
  • Talk about Buddy Duress being called the new Joe Pesci and how great Goodfellas
  • How did they react to Martin Scorsese producing Uncut Gems?
  • Is Pattinson trying to talk his way into Uncut Gems now?
  • Talk about the process of writing realistic dialogue and how Pattinson approaches it as an actor.
  • How they approach exposition.
  • Talk about working with close-ups.
  • How many takes do they like to do for a scene?
  • How long was their first cut of the film?
  • Why they don't believe in assembly cuts.
  • The crazy sequence they cut and why they took it out.

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Here’s the official synopsis for Good Time:

Following the mind-bending HEAVEN KNOWS WHAT, celebrated filmmakers Josh and Benny Safdie return to the mean streets of New York City with GOOD TIME, a hypnotic crime thriller that explores with bracing immediacy the tragic sway of family and fate.

 

After a botched bank robbery lands his younger brother in prison, Constantine Nikas (Robert Pattinson) embarks on a twisted odyssey through the city’s underworld in an increasingly desperate—and dangerous—attempt to get his brother out of jail. Over the course of one adrenalized night, Constantine finds himself on a mad descent into violence and mayhem as he races against the clock to save his brother and himself, knowing their lives hang in the balance.

 

Anchored by a career-defining performance from Robert Pattinson, GOOD TIME is a psychotic symphony of propulsive intensity crafted by two of the most exciting young directors working today. Josh and Benny Safdie’s transcendent vision is an intoxicating portrait of desperation and destruction that will not be soon forgotten.

 

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Image via A24