Grecian Formula; Brad Pitt Tackles Homer in the Blood-and-Biceps Epic 'Troy.' and You Thought Helen Was Hot

Giles, Jeff, Newsweek

Byline: Jeff Giles, NEWSWEEK'S film critic David Ansen is on sabbatical.

Brad Pitt's quest for credibility has been only a qualified success, so his first scene in Wolfgang Petersen's epic "Troy" is not just the movie's most titillating--he is revealed butt-naked, sleeping off a threesome in a tent--but its most nervous-making as well: he opens his mouth and starts acting. Given Pitt's fascination with subverting expectations, it's easy to imagine why he was drawn to Achilles. Here's a warrior, taken from Homer's Iliad, of course, who's supremely arrogant yet roiling in self-loathing. Still, it took guts for Pitt to sign on for the role. With his flowing locks, helmet and …

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Publication information: Article title: Grecian Formula; Brad Pitt Tackles Homer in the Blood-and-Biceps Epic 'Troy.' and You Thought Helen Was Hot. Contributors: Giles, Jeff - Author. Magazine title: Newsweek. Publication date: May 17, 2004. Page number: 50. © 2009 Newsweek, Inc. All rights reserved. Any reuse, distribution or alteration without express written permission of Newsweek is prohibited. For permission: www.newsweek.com. COPYRIGHT 2004 Gale Group.

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