I don't know a single person in life that doesn't have conflict. I don't really enjoy acting enough to not want to experience something that feels like it really affects things. It's like, if you were a surfer, would you want to surf where there was like two-foot waves, or would you want to surf on like ten-foot waves. To me, the more kind of dramatic stories are more exciting for me, to play with.
Joaquin PhoenixWell, I think that you know, I threatened myself with quitting after every movie. But I think everybody does that, right?
Joaquin PhoenixHow can you work in film and still see the overt racism that exists in film and not just be furious all the time?
Joaquin PhoenixI don't know why I always get to play these guys who have few redeeming features. But don't knock it. Villains are much more fun.
Joaquin PhoenixMight I be ridiculous? Might my career in music be laughable? Yeah, that's possible, but that's certainly not my intention.
Joaquin PhoenixI was 3-years-old - to this day it is a vivid memory. My family and I were on a boat, catching fish. As one fish was caught, he was writhing, then he was thrown against the side of the boat. You couldn't disguise what it was. This was what we did to animals to eat them. The animal went from a living, vibrant creature fighting for life to a violent death. I recognized it, as did my brothers and sisters.
Joaquin Phoenix