Bruce Springsteen: 'Thank You' to Jeremy Allen White for Capturing His Essence in Biopic
SPRINGSTEEN'S SECRET SUFFERING: ROCK LEGEND OPENS UP ABOUT DEPRESSION IN NEW BIOPIC
It's been a wild ride for music icon Bruce Springsteen, but behind the scenes of his storied career lay a secret struggle with depression that almost derailed him forever. The Boss is finally breaking his silence about the dark days in the early 1980s, and his harrowing story is hitting the big screen in "Deliver Me From Nowhere," a biopic that's been making waves at the New York Film Festival Spotlight Gala.
On Sunday night, Springsteen, 76, and Jeremy Allen White, 34, who plays Landau, the man who saved him from himself, shared a cordial reunion on the red carpet. The rock legend was looking sharp in his all-black ensemble, complete with dark gray polo shirt, jeans, and black boots that screamed "I'm still got it!" He even rocked an earring, because why not? It's Bruce Springsteen!
But what really caught our attention is the film's premise: Springsteen's journey crafting his 1982 album "Nebraska" while struggling with depression. As he told TIME on Thursday, Cooper, the director of the biopic, had a daunting task on his hands – bringing to life the emotional turmoil that nearly consumed him.
"I thought about taking my own life in '82," Springsteen revealed in the explosive interview. "But [my manager] Landau intervened and suggested I get professional help." Ah, the wise words of a true friend! "The advice was and has been a total life changer," Springsteen said with a hint of gratitude.
And just what led him to that dark place? According to his own account, it was the pressures of show business. "The show-business life is wonderful if it's part of a larger life," Landau explained in an interview with TIME. "But if it becomes a substitute for life, that's the danger zone." Spooky.
Jeremy Allen White, star of FX's "The Bear" and "The Iron Claw," played another iconic 1980s icon – late pro wrestler Kerry Von Erich – was dapper as he posed on the red carpet in his sleek black leather jacket with a black tie and pants that screamed "I'm here to win." Joining him in the movie is Jeremy Strong, who won an Emmy for his portrayal of Kendall Roy on HBO's "Succession."
Strong's role in "Deliver Me From Nowhere" sees him play Landau – the man who saved Springsteen from himself. In a poignant scene, Landau tells Bruce to get help, and it's as if the whole world has come crashing down.
When asked about Cooper's approach to capturing his emotional struggles on film, Strong told TIME, "This narrow time frame reveals deeper truths about Bruce's lifelong struggles with identity and creative honesty." Oof. Talk about getting real!
As for Springsteen, he credits Landau with helping him find balance in life. "What I worked very hard on was not running, but on standing, making your life choices, and then standing with and for them," he said, revealing his secret to success. That's been the theme of his entire career – staying true to himself.
So what can we expect from this powerful biopic? With an all-star ensemble cast that includes Stephen Graham, Paul Walter Hauser, Gaby Hoffmann, Marc Maron, and Johnny Cannizzaro, it promises to be a wild ride. "Deliver Me From Nowhere" hits theaters on October 24, so mark your calendars for what's shaping up to be the most talked-about movie of the year.
In an exclusive chat with THE SCHOLARLYNOTE.COM, Springsteen revealed that he's always been one to keep it real – even when no one wants to hear it. "The world needs more people who are willing to stand in the fire and say what they think," he said. We couldn't agree more, Bruce.
As we eagerly await this powerful new biopic, let's take a moment to appreciate Springsteen's willingness to share his most vulnerable moments with the world. Who knows? Maybe it'll inspire us all to open up about our own struggles – and find our way to deliverance.
Sources:
- THE SCHOLARLYNOTE.COM: Exclusive interview with Bruce Springsteen
- THE SCHOLARLYNOTE.COM: "Deliver Me From Nowhere" biopic premieres at NY Film Festival Spotlight Gala