Director’s Authority on Set Leaves Kevin O’Leary Humbled

Josh Safdie’s latest cinematic venture, Marty Supreme, has done more than just shine a light on Timothée Chalamet’s performance. It’s also provided a rather eye-opening experience for Kevin O’Leary, who, best known for his sharp-tongued business persona, found himself in unfamiliar territory. Cast as Milton Rockwell, O’Leary quickly discovered that the world of filmmaking operates on a very different set of rules to the boardroom.

Hierarchy on Set: O’Leary’s Wake-Up Call

O’Leary, who’s spent years giving orders rather than taking them, was in for a surprise. Reflecting on his time on set, he admitted,

I learned my lesson that film sets are not democracies. I’m not used to being told what to do. I do the telling.

The adjustment from decision-maker to team player was, by all accounts, a bit of a shock. For someone so used to steering the ship, being directed was a novel, if not slightly humbling, experience.

It’s not hard to see why the experience left a mark. For the first time in decades, O’Leary was the one following instructions, not issuing them. The film itself, meanwhile, has been making waves, boasting a 94% rating on Rotten Tomatoes and raking in over $56 million at the box office so far.

Safdie’s Relentless Pursuit of Perfection

Working with an auteur like Safdie is no small feat. O’Leary soon found himself at the mercy of a director determined to capture every nuance. He recounted a particularly gruelling moment:

We shot something 20 times and I said to Josh, ‘OK, I think we got it. We can move on.’ He said, ‘What the f*ck are you talking about? There’s no moving on until I say we’re moving on.

The message was clear—on set, the director’s word is final.

While collaboration is part and parcel of filmmaking, there’s no mistaking the chain of command. O’Leary’s observation that sets aren’t run as democracies rings true; the director’s vision takes precedence, and everyone else falls in line.

Chalamet’s Commitment and a Memorable Scene

O’Leary may not have been in charge, but he did find himself at the centre of one of the film’s more talked-about moments. In a scene described as “a pivotal scene of humiliation” for Chalamet’s character, O’Leary was tasked with delivering a proper spanking—quite literally. The prop paddle didn’t survive the first take, so a real one was brought in, and Chalamet, ever the professional, refused a stunt double.

O’Leary recalled,

When it came time to whack him, there was a stunt a**. There was a double,” [Chalamet] wouldn’t do it. He said he’ll do it himself. He didn’t want some other ass immortalized. Josh was saying, ‘You’ve got to wind up harder’. I was really whacking him.

Chalamet’s dedication to authenticity has not gone unnoticed, with his efforts earning him a Critics’ Choice Award for Best Actor. The film’s domestic takings have already surpassed $56 million, and there’s talk of an Oscar campaign on the horizon.

Marty Supreme is currently showing in cinemas across the United States.