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When you’re as big as Reese Witherspoon, people want to know everything about you. Be it your friendships with other stars, your love life, or what goes on behind the scenes of movies, every little detail matters to fans.
Given her history in Hollywood, Reese Witherspoon has an exceptional catalog of films. However, she never goes back and watches her old works. In fact, Witherspoon has gone on record about having a type of amnesia about the movies that she has starred in.
Let’s hear what she had to say about watching her old movies, and learn why she isn’t alone in feeling this way.
Reese Witherspoon Has Had Countless Hit Films
Reese Witherspoon, the epitome of talent and charisma, has etched her name in the annals of Hollywood as a powerhouse actress.
Her breakthrough came in the 1990s, and since then, Witherspoon has maintained her place on the A-list. Following her initial breakout, Witherspoon charge ahead, eventually netting major awards and critical acclaim for her work.
One of the true tests of an actor’s success is their box office appeal, and Witherspoon has consistently delivered. According to The Numbers, her films have collectively grossed over $3 billion worldwide, making her one of the most bankable stars in the industry. Movies like Sweet Home Alabama, Walk the Line, and Wild have resonated with audiences, showcasing Witherspoon’s ability to bring characters to life in a way that is relatable and authentic.
Witherspoon’s talent has not gone unnoticed by the prestigious award committees. She has been honored with numerous accolades, including an Academy Award for her portrayal of June Carter Cash in Walk the Line. Her trophy cabinet also boasts a BAFTA Award, a Screen Actors Guild Award, and several Critics’ Choice Awards.
With such an impressive filmography, some would assume that the actress would go back and check out some of her works, but in truth, she stays as far away from them as she can.
Reese Witherspoon Has No Memory Of Her Past Work
According to the star, “I have absolute amnesia about every movie I have ever made. I won’t watch them because if I did I would spiral into a state of self-hate but I sometimes catch the odd clip of something. I look at it and think, ‘I have absolutely no memory of that’. It’s really weird,” per Express.
That’s right, as soon as she is done with it, Reese Witherspoon simply moves on from it. Granted, she still has to do countless interviews for promotion, so it’s not total amnesia, but she has no desire to watch her own stuff, and likely won’t be doing it any time soon.
Circling back to her comments, they make perfect sense. We the fans get to see the final product. She, however, sees all of the work that went into bringing each scene to life. Not only that, but she will also see all of the things that she wishes she could have done differently. In the moments, these things aren’t as obvious, but hindsight is a cruel gift for those in the arts, and Witherspoon knows this all too well.
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As it were, she is not the only star that stays away from their own films.
Other Stars Share The Same Feeling About Watching Their Work Back
Insider identified some other big-name stars that avoid their own work, too.
Adam Driver, for instance, stays away, though this is due to his theatre background.
“I’m used to doing plays. I came from a theater background, so it never really equated to me … like why would I want to watch that? So long as I know what it feels like … that’s good enough for me,” Driver said.
Jared Leto also falls into this camp.
“As soon as you watch it, that’s when it becomes subjective. I just think with watching your own films, it can be too self-conscious of a process. You either like what you did and you’re prone to repeat it, or you didn’t like it, and it can make you self-conscious. I’m not sure how much win there is for me,” the actor said.
Javier Bardem can’t help but criticize himself.
“I can’t even watch that nose, that voice, those ridiculous eyes. I can’t handle that. But when I’m doing it, I don’t see my nose or hear my voice; it’s like there’s something stronger, bigger than that. And I need to express it,” he said.
Reese Witherspoon stays far away from her films once she is done with them, and her logic makes sense. Let’s just hope that she keeps starring in great projects for those of us that do enjoy watching her perform on screen.
