You obviously can't cast Brad [Pitt] as an everyman guy because he just brings way too much baggage.

The crime film is the most honest American film.

I think the film gives you a picture of a person. It gives you a complete picture.

I like violence to be upsetting. The only reason to do it subtley is if doing it subtley makes it more effective somehow.

I'm not a very efficient filmmaker. There's a lot of guys, filmmakers like the Coen Brothers who shoot a whole movie and maybe don't use 12 setups. I'm in awe of people like that; I'm just not that guy.

Americans are not renowned for having a sense of irony.

Obviously, a power player in a criminal organization doesnt have to persuade anyone. He can just do what he wants.