We take a look at the past to shape our future.

In 2003, Kevin Bacon sat down with Charlie Rose to discuss his first film with Clint Eastwood, "Mystic River," and revealed how taking small parts with great directors turned his career around.

On how the Eastwood connection began: "Meryl Streep said, 'You and Clint are perfect to work together. You love the way he makes movies.' About two years later, I knew this movie was on his radar. I knew there was maybe going to be something down the line."

On why "Mystic River" is his favorite film: "Everything was right. It was perfectly cast. Everybody was great. The greatest director. A book that I loved and a screenplay that honored it. And it was shot in Boston. Good times."

On Eastwood's directing style: "He's a man of very few words when it comes to talking about who my character is. He expects you to figure that out. I like that because that's what I do. Sometimes he just shoots the rehearsals. You have to come ready to play."

On taking small parts: "Small parts turned my career back around. I had this big success and really wasn't able to follow it up for a long time. An agent said, 'Start doing small parts with great directors.' The first thing she called me on was JFK. That helped me get Wild Things and Apollo 13."

On aspiring to range: "When I started out, it was Dustin Hoffman and Meryl Streep and De Niro. People who could play more than one thing. That's why I became an actor."

GUEST: Kevin Bacon, Actor

Interview from 2003

0:00 Introduction: Footloose to Eastwood
0:38 Meryl Streep: "You and Clint are perfect"
1:37 Two years later, the call came
2:05 Taking small parts in great films
3:18 Small parts turned his career around
4:16 JFK led to Wild Things and Apollo 13
5:17 "Mystic River" is his favorite film
5:55 Eastwood's directing: Few words
6:26 "He expects you to figure it out"
6:48 Clip: Questioning the parents
8:16 Sean Penn spilling the coffee
8:34 Could have played any of the roles
9:26 "Diner" audition with Barry Levinson
10:04 Clint said "I'd like you to do it"
10:30 Asking for one more phone call
11:40 Clip: Interrogating Tim Robbins
13:38 The center of the film
14:08 Hoffman, Streep, De Niro as models
15:03 Playing music later in life
15:31 Directing "Loverboy" with Kyra Sedgwick
16:26 "Eastwood makes it look easy"

This interview captures an actor at the peak of his craft explaining how humility and great directors transformed his career. History offers the clearest roadmap for our future.

Film Discussion is a curated interview archive and conversation series presented by Occupy Cinema. We spotlight the minds behind the movies—actors, directors, writers, and cultural critics—through thoughtful interviews, archival footage, and contemporary conversations. From Broadway to global cinema, Film Discussion explores the craft, politics, and impact of storytelling on screen and stage.

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