I was on my way to meet Ben Affleck to talk about his new movie, Deep Water, when news broke that he and his co-star Ana de Armas broke up in real life. I was obviously devastated but got over it quickly because it has nothing to do with me. Here’s the conversation we had after he arrived, 12 minutes late.
Bea: Thanks for doing this with me, Ben.
Affleck: My pleasure.
Bea: I don’t care what my friends and family say, I do think you’re an amazing actor.
Affleck: Thanks… I suppose.
Bea: I mean it. It doesn’t bother me that you’ve done a few bad movies… and some really terrible ones… no actor has a perfect record, right?
Affleck: [silence]
Bea: Except maybe Leonardo DiCaprio… and Tom Hanks… oh, and Brad Pitt. And Joaquin Phoenix. And Denzel Washington.
Affleck: I… I get the point.
Bea: Yes but I’m not done yet…. Kate Winslet…. Emma Thompson…. Of course Meryl Streep.
Affleck: [silence]
Bea: Anyway, how are you? I was disappointed to hear that you and Ana de Armas broke up. I was rooting for you two…
Affleck: Thanks…
Bea: What happened? Was it the walks? Did she get tired of taking walk after walk around the block with you?
Affleck: No…
Bea: Are you sure?
Affleck: Yes… There’s not a lot to do during a global pandemic.
Bea: You guys had a good run, though. What was it, almost a year? How long did you live together?
Affleck: A month.
Bea: It’s the end of an era.
Affleck: Yeah, I wouldn’t say that…
Bea: Just remember, there’s no shame in walking alone…. Literally and figuratively.
Affleck: [silence]
Bea: So how did it happen? Did she break up with you or did she agree to say it was ‘mutual’?
Affleck: We’re just in different points in our lives right now…
Bea: Of course. Is that what she told you?
Affleck: [silence]
Bea: The good thing is that now you concentrate on your career. Start making good movies, you know?
Affleck: Why don’t we move on…?
Bea: Sure. So…. what is Jennifer Garner like in real life? I can’t believe you were married to her, she’s amazing.
Affleck: Can you just please focus on asking me questions about the movie I’m here to promote?
Bea: Of course. Deep Water, right?
Affleck: Yes.
Bea: How was it filming those steamy scenes with Ana de Armas? Is it going to be painful to watch it now that you’re not together anymore?
Affleck: Oh, for god’s sake.
Bea: I’ll take that’s a yes.
Affleck: [silence]
Bea: Well, thanks for doing this with me, Ben. As I said at the beginning, I’m a big fan of yours.
Affleck: Right.
Bea: Take care!
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Other things you might like from Mock Diaries:
—Interview: Ana de Armas Opens Up About Her Romance with Ben Affleck for the First Time
[…] —Interview: Ben Affleck Opens Up About His Breakup with Ana de Armas For the First Time Since it H… […]