Morgan Freeman Critiques Directors: The Traits That Annoy Him Most

LONDON, UK — Morgan Freeman, celebrated actor and collaborator with Hollywood’s finest, has shared insights on what he appreciates in directors, as well as traits that drive him away from certain filmmakers. In a recent discussion, Freeman highlighted his longstanding partnership with director Clint Eastwood, illuminating what makes Eastwood’s directing style stand out.

Freeman and Eastwood have worked together on three notable films—”Unforgiven,” “Million Dollar Baby,” and “Invictus“—with the latter earning Freeman an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor. Freeman credits Eastwood’s approach to directing as a key factor in their successful collaborations. He stated, “He doesn’t fool around with actors. He hires you to do the job. So, he ain’t doing it for you. He respects the actor.” This respect fosters an environment where actors feel empowered to give their best performances.

In 2007, Freeman elaborated on Eastwood’s directing style, saying, “If you give me the job and I think I can do it, let me do it. I’ve done best in situations where the director has said to me, ‘OK, that’s great. Now, just a little bit faster is all I need.'” This approach highlights Eastwood’s preference for minimal interference; he offers gentle nudges rather than overwhelming his cast with direction.

Conversely, Freeman has made it clear that he finds the opposite approach detrimental. “When you’re one of these rising star directors or writers, there is a tendency to want to over-micro-manage the set and the actors,” he explained. The esteemed actor adamantly expressed his disdain for this behavior, grimacing as he said, “I don’t like to be micro-managed. I don’t like it at all.”

Though he usually refrains from naming directors he didn’t enjoy working with, Freeman made an exception when he discussed Abby Mann. Mann is primarily recognized as a screenwriter, but ventured into directing in the late 1970s. Freeman recalled a particular instance during their collaboration, stating in a 2000 interview with Dutch magazine Preview, “We had a great director, but then at some point or other, Abby Mann thought he could do a better job at directing. I think, at the first day, he learned that nobody paid much attention to him. He was one of those people who thinks directing is telling you how to do it.”

Freeman’s reflections serve as a reminder of the delicate balance between guidance and autonomy in directing. As the film industry continues to evolve, his experiences with various directors underscore the importance of directing styles that foster creativity and respect for the actors’ craft.