Clint Eastwood still busy at 84

EASTWOOD. Helms screen version of bestselling book, “American Sniper.” RUBEN V. NEPALES

LOS ANGELES—Bradley Cooper does a very good imitation of his “American Sniper” director, Clint Eastwood. In answering my question about the veteran actor-director during a recent New York interview, Bradley stood up and did a full-on impersonation—raspy, whispering voice and all—of Clint giving him directions in two scenes.

Back in LA and face-to-face with Clint, I told him about Bradley’s dead-on impersonation. “I haven’t seen it. It’s probably best that I don’t see it,” said Clint while laughing. We were at the Los Angeles Athletic Club, a magnificent, old-world building standing since 1912 in downtown LA. Golden morning rays from a window gave the silver-haired filmmaker a glow.

Clint looked perfectly at home in the boys’ club ambience of the place—he wore a navy jacket, blue shirt and khaki pants, but with a modern twist—Nike running shoes.

“Should I also do an imitation of Bradley?,” Clint teased with a smile. Bradley plays Navy SEAL sharpshooter Chris Kyle in “American Sniper,” which is based on the bestselling book of the same title cowritten by Chris. A Texan who survived four tours of duty in Iraq, Chris was murdered on US soil in 2013, allegedly by a fellow veteran he was trying to help.

“I never tried to do an imitation of Bradley,” Clint said. “When we were first preparing the film, I was seeing a little Bradley Cooper, but once he got into the role, he started staying in the role 24 hours a day. So, if you went out to dinner with Bradley at night, he was still talking with a Texas accent. He was very diligent and stayed in character till the end.”

Clint recalled one of the scenes in which Bradley imitated him. Clint wanted Bradley to take off his sunglasses in the middle of a combat scene. The esteemed director shared, “Bradley asked, ‘But, how do I take them off in the middle of combat?’ I said, ‘Just reach out and take them off. Don’t think too much. If you start thinking, you can ruin it.’

“The best thing an actor can do is listen to his instincts. If it doesn’t feel right doing it, then don’t do it. I’m flexible. I will allow an actor to do something else or bring an alternative if it’s something he feels better about, and it looks like it’s not contrary to the direction of the story.”

Memorable war films

Asked when men will stop killing each other, Clint, who directed several memorable war films, answered, “I’ve been asking that since a very young age. Where does it end, and does it ever? That’s for all philosophers for centuries from now, when mankind comes to its senses. But, that may never be.

“Is anybody up there listening? I don’t want to get too crazed about it. It’s just the facts of life. Then, you have to believe that there’s fate. You can get very fatalistic or cynical if you aren’t careful.”

On a lighter note, here’s Clint, who was married twice and was involved with several women: “I haven’t exactly been successful at it, but I made a couple of attempts. I’ve had moments of success interrupted by moments of satyr. Shelley Berman (comedian) used to say that.

“I admire people who can accomplish and do it, but it’s very difficult in today’s society, because there are so many things pulling at people. People gain different interests as time goes by, so they decide that they want to try something else.”

He added, “You have to keep trying! You don’t want to give up and be so cynical that, you say, ‘Never!’ But, maybe, at my stage in life, there’s a silver act. Never say never.”

On his seven children with five different women, Clint said, “It becomes a problem in society when people bail out and leave children completely alone. I have great feelings for my children and other people’s children, as well. I’m going to make sure that my children get the best possible chance I can give them as far as advice, help or getting an education is concerned.”

Referring to a palimony suit filed against him by one of his companions that was eventually settled, Clint quipped, “I just went through a period where my DNA was in demand for a while. I think that’s all ended—but, you never know!”

At 84, Clint does not plan to slow down. Aside from “American Sniper,” he directed another film, “Jersey Boys,” this year. A remake of “A Star is Born,” which has had three versions—with Janet Gaynor, Judy Garland and Barbra Streisand—is one of his potential projects.

On whether he met all three stars, Clint replied, “I didn’t know Janet Gaynor.” He cracked, “I’m not that old.” Then, he said, “I might have met Judy Garland, and I know Barbra.”

He has no specific ideas yet for his remake. “I haven’t gotten to that yet. Right now, I’m just enjoying sitting here, not having to worry about a cast, what they’re going to be doing, etcetera.”

If he could give advice to his younger self, what would that be? “He was never a smart kid,” Clint answered. “I was a slow learner, so I’d say speed up the process a bit—and maybe practice a little more!”

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