Does the auteur behind "Live by Night" subtly hint at his "amatory prowess?"
The 44-year-old laureate of the coveted Oscar assumes the role of the infamous mobster, Joe Coughlin, in the crime saga meticulously crafted by Warner Bros. Notably, Affleck also serves as the writer and producer of this cinematic endeavor. Sharing the limelight is Sienna Miller, cast as the seductive Irish enchantress, Emma Gould. In an earnest endeavor to breathe life into Dennis Lehane's celebrated literary creation, Miller and Affleck found themselves enacting a series of intimate scenes.
This venture was a departure from the ordinary for both performers, as Affleck, bearing the mantle of directorial responsibilities, embraced the dual task of offering Miller nuanced acting directives while ensuring her ease within an inherently discomforting milieu. Reflecting on this, Miller candidly shared with E! News anchor Maria Menounos, "It's truly amusing. Ben and I share a bond akin to siblings, an aspect that we are immensely grateful for; hence, no awkwardness prevailed. Instead, we were often consumed by fits of juvenile laughter. His professionalism is resolute, a trait that I admittedly lack. Yet, within that environment, a unique synergy unfolded."
Even before assuming her role, Miller was acutely aware of the audacious nature of her character.
"The script featured a montage, an ode to our fervent escapades: within the automobile, amidst the tavern... envision an entire day solely dedicated to such fervent enactments! It begot a peculiar quandary," Miller reminisced. "As the marathon extended, encompassing a span of nine grueling hours, I found myself trembling, tears cascading down my visage. I must admit, it was an emotionally charged journey. Ben's adept professionalism offered a soothing presence, as reality embraced its unvarnished essence."
At a juncture, Affleck issued an unanticipated directive to the film's cinematographer, Robert Richardson, to maintain the camera's momentum, thereby enabling multiple takes of the identical romantic encounter without the intrusion of cuts. Amused by this, Miller recounted, "I contemplated, 'Surely, Joe Coughlin embodies a veritable virtuoso.' This curious sequence repeated thrice, and by the third iteration, I finally inquired, 'Is this some jest?' My mirthful laughter ensued, 'Ben, do you seek to propagate narratives of your prowess in matters of intimacy—your aptitudes?'"
"In truth, it transpired that he was strategically amassing options sans disruptions," she added. "Yet, to me, this unfolding was nothing short of a comic spectacle. I ruminated, 'None other can replicate your distinctive course, this marathon of impassioned devotion.'"
Affleck's demeanor evoked continuous amusement from Miller. "Certain outtakes from that particular sequence will invariably depict me exiting the room," she conceded, "overwhelmed by cascades of mirth."
Upon encountering Affleck and co-star Chris Messina, Menounos elicited the actor-director's perspective. "Each scene is a fresh inception, a cycle of initiation—conclusion—resumption from initiation. Sienna erroneously perceived my endeavor as an assertion of extraordinary prowess, a ceaseless continuum," Affleck jestingly recounted. "My actions prompted her laughter, prompting me to reflect, 'Laughter may not be the quintessential reaction I had envisaged.' She taunted, 'How inexhaustible is your persistence? You're a veritable Superman!'"
