In the world of cinema, the chemistry between co-stars is often a vital element, especially for a film that hinges on the dynamics of a romantic plot. However, Sienna Miller and Ben Affleck found themselves in an unusual situation during the filming of “Live By Night,” a movie directed and led by Affleck himself. This 2016 crime drama, which follows the story of Joe Coughlin, a gangster navigating life in the Prohibition era, ironically suffered from the complete lack of romantic spark between its leads.
Sienna Miller, known for her poignant performances in critically acclaimed films, played the wife of a gangster who becomes romantically involved with Affleck’s character. Yet, despite the serious nature of their roles, Miller described their interaction as anything but romantic. Speaking on The Drew Barrymore Show in 2022, Miller couldn’t help but laugh as she shared the peculiar dynamic.
“Ben Affleck was like my brother. We had zero chemistry whatsoever. It was hysterical. We were supposed to be in love. We could not be less attracted to each other, which was hysterical,” Miller recounted.
An Odd Physical Mismatch
Adding to the comedic off-screen drama was a peculiar challenge involving physical disparities. Affleck, standing tall with what Miller described as an “enormous head”, contrasted starkly with her own smaller features. This size difference led to some humorous complications during the shooting of their scenes.
“He has an enormous head. I have a small one. So they’d have to, like, put me slightly ahead of him in two shots. And he directed the movie and I could barely look at him for laughing the whole time,” Miller explained, illustrating the logistical nightmares that can occur even in the most well-planned films.
Beyond the Set: Professional Respect and Future Collaborations
Despite the lack of on-screen chemistry, Miller’s professional respect for Affleck remains intact. She praised his direction and highlighted him as one of the few actors she would be willing to work with again—albeit not as a romantic interest. This sentiment speaks volumes about the professionalism that actors must often summon in order to deliver performances despite personal feelings or awkward dynamics.
Furthermore, Miller’s career continues to evolve as she takes on varied roles in both film and television. She recently appeared in the finale season of Larry David’s Curb Your Enthusiasm and played a significant role in last year’s AppleTV+ series, Extrapolations. Her latest project, Horizon: An American Saga, debuted at the 77th Cannes Film Festival, cementing her status as a versatile and sought-after actress.
A Quirky Side Note with David Bowie
Miller also shared an amusing anecdote from her early days in the industry involving music legend David Bowie. Apparently, during her time living in the same building as Bowie, a Halloween party mishap led to an unfortunate incident. “But, I had a Halloween party at this apartment, and somebody flooded the bathroom which then flooded David Bowie’s apartment, so he didn’t like me very much. He was nice about it apparently,” she told Barrymore, adding a light-hearted twist to her storied career.
These snippets from Miller’s experiences provide a glimpse into the unpredictable world of filmmaking where not everything goes as planned. From uncontrollable laughter on set due to an unexpected brotherly bond with a co-star to flooding the apartment of a rock star, Sienna Miller’s career is as notable for its performances as it is for its off-screen tales.
