Martin Freeman Slams Jim Carrey’s Method Acting as ‘Narcissistic Nonsense’
Martin Freeman doesn’t hold back when it comes to Jim Carrey’s extreme method acting on Man on the Moon, calling it self-indulgent and questioning why anyone would tolerate such behavior on set.
Method acting has always sparked debate in Hollywood, especially when actors refuse to break character even after the director yells cut. While some, like Daniel Day-Lewis and Christian Bale, are known for their intense commitment to roles, their behind-the-scenes antics often test the patience of those around them. Day-Lewis, for example, famously insisted on being carried and fed by crew members while filming My Left Foot. Others, like Robert De Niro, have taken a less disruptive approach, such as working as a real cab driver to prepare for Taxi Driver. Still, it ’s usually leading men who get away with this kind of behavior, all in the name of art.
For many, though, the idea of working alongside someone who’s always in character is a nightmare. The notion of being stuck with a co-star who believes their process puts them above basic decency is enough to make anyone cringe. Martin Freeman, best known for his roles in The Lord of the Rings and The Office , is one actor who’s made his feelings on the subject crystal clear.
Freeman’s Unfiltered Take on Carrey’s Commitment
Freeman didn’t mince words when discussing Jim Carrey ’s approach to playing Andy Kaufman in Man on the Moon . Carrey’s total immersion in the role was so extreme that he reportedly couldn’t separate himself from Kaufman, a process captured in the documentary Jim & Andy: The Great Beyond. Appearing on the Off Menu podcast, Freeman told hosts James Acaster and Ed Gamble just how unbearable he would find working with Carrey under those circumstances.
“He’s not only doing this, he’s brought a fucking camera with him, you know? And music. For me, and I’m sure, genuinely sure, Jim Carrey is a lovely and smart person, but it was the most self-aggrandising, selfish, fucking narcissistic, bollocks I’ve ever seen. And the idea that anything in our culture would celebrate that or support it is deranged. I mean, literally deranged?”
Calling Out the ‘Pretentious Nonsense’
Freeman went on to challenge the very foundation of method acting, especially the idea that an actor should “become” their character. He argued that staying grounded in reality is essential, and that losing oneself entirely for the sake of a role is not only unnecessary but also unprofessional.
“‘I became the character’, no, you didn’t. You’re not supposed to become the fucking character. Because you’re supposed to be open to stuff that happens in real life, you know, because somehow at some point, someone’s gonna say cut. And it’s no good going, what does cut mean? Because I’m Napoleon. It’s like, shut up, man. You know, you need to keep grounded, I think, in reality, and that’s not to say that you don’t lose yourself for the time between action and cut, but I think the rest of it is absolute pretentious nonsense.”
Freeman’s Final Word: ‘Get the Job Done’
Freeman didn’t stop there. He even suggested that Carrey’s behavior bordered on losing touch with reality, saying he should have been “sectioned” for the ordeal. In Freeman’s eyes, this wasn’t a display of artistic sacrifice, but rather a lack of professionalism.
“I think it’s highly amateurish. It’s essentially an amateurish notion. Because it’s not perfected, you know what I mean? Like, it’s not, for me, it’s not a professional attitude, you know, get the job done, man, fucking do your work, you know?”