why so many actors and directors like to pair up. From Martin Scorsese and Robert De Niro to Christopher Nolan and Cillian Murphy, these pairings can allow filmmakers and actors to do some really deep, insightful work together.
With the release of “Eddington,” it seems that writer/director Ari Aster has found a recurring muse at last in the form of actor Joaquin Phoenix, who was the star of Aster’s prior feature, “Beau is Afraid,” and is also the lead of “Eddington.” This choice is more notable once you realize that Aster hasn’t worked with any of the same actors twice, and although “Eddington” is only his fourth feature, that’s still a bit unusual. Then again, Aster’s work has become famous for being unusual, so perhaps his inviting Phoenix back isn’t necessarily the beginning of a long partnership. Whatever the case, it seems that Aster and Phoenix have indeed developed a shorthand, according to Phoenix himself. During a recent roundtable interview, the actor revealed some of his process behind building his “Eddington” character, Joe Cross, including the indirect note that Aster gave him during filming which essentially unlocked Joe for the actor in a major way.
