Jesse Eisenberg for GQ Magazine

Posted on Aug 9, 2011 in Fashion

We sometimes argue about Jesse Eisenberg. Not plate-throwing arguments or even raised-voice arguments; just an ongoing disagreement as to his charms. We both loved The Social Network and felt he’d done a great job, but we caught him being interviewed on the red carpet one time and frankly, it was a little hard to tell the difference between the actor and his most famous role. He came off awkward and more than a little dismissive. That was enough for Lorenzo. Tom counseled that awkwardness doesn’t always mean someone’s an asshole and that it’s possible he’s just painfully shy. Either way, the guy’s always been a little off and we suspect his work in the Facebook movie was so good because he’d found a role that wasn’t all that far from his own personality. Zombieland was an occasionally fun movie, but it felt a little bit like “Mark Zuckerberg Shoots Zombies.” Whether he’s smug in the manner Lo accuses or not, the guy is awkward and fidgety in life and plays awkward, fidgety guys on camera.

Further evidence of his possible limited range is evident in the following editorial for GQ:

Jesse Eisenberg for the August issue of GQ, photographed by Martin Schoeller. Suit, $239 by Zara. Shirt, $315 by Emporio Armani. Tie, $22 by Topman. shoes, $245 by Boss Black. Socks by Pantherella. Pocket square by Robert Talbott. Watch by Cartier.

Suit, $1,995 by John Varvatos. Shirt, $165 by Burberry London. Tie, $50 by Calvin Klein. Shoes, $140 by Geox. Pocket square by Paul Stuart.

Suit $495 by Ben Sherman. Shirt, $315 by Emporio Armani. Tie, $110 by Jil Sander. Shoes, $595 by Jimmy Choo. Socks by Punto by British Apparel. Tie bar by the Tie Bar.

Suit, $1,250 Emporio Armani. Shirt, $325 by Dolce & Gabbana. Tie, $160, shoes, $495, by Ermenegildo Zegna.

Sometimes his eyebrows are raised; sometimes they’re not. Sometimes his mouth is open; sometimes it’s not. Otherwise, he’s got exactly the same facial expression he always has. The clothes look good on him, though. And the pictures are eye-catching. It’s a good enough concept for an editorial, but he’s no model, that’s for sure.

[Photo Credit: gq.com]

Tags:

Follow us:

Amanda in Austin

Why are things exploding?
- Anonymous
  
  I think it’s supposed to be ironic. His very placid expressions are a contrast to what’s going on around him.
  - Anonymous
    
    Plus he’s that that new movie coming out where he’s got a bomb strapped to him.
Amanda in Austin

Why are things exploding?
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=6416893 Jenna Kuhmann

I love the first picture.
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=6416893 Jenna Kuhmann

I love the first picture.
Anonymous

I actually went to college with Jesse in NYC and he really is very, very shy. And also very, very sweet. So I have a feeling if he comes across as dismissive on the red carpet it’s because (as he’s also said in multiple interviews) that he’s anxious in those situations. Also, he looks like an IRS auditor in the brown suit. He should stick to blues.
Anonymous

I actually went to college with Jesse in NYC and he really is very, very shy. And also very, very sweet. So I have a feeling if he comes across as dismissive on the red carpet it’s because (as he’s also said in multiple interviews) that he’s anxious in those situations. Also, he looks like an IRS auditor in the brown suit. He should stick to blues.
- http://pulse.yahoo.com/_C65IT4K6RYN4TWRMFJOI3VUDAI Olechka Milashka
  
  this is exactly the impression I have of him – not as an asshole, but someone who’s very very shy
- shorty j
  
  that’s probably why I have a terrible crush on him in spite of myself, then. He’s not really my type (skinny boys just don’t do it for me) but I love ‘em shy and socially awkward and I have, like, a shydar or something (like gaydar, but more embarrassing) that can spot them from a mile away.
  - Anonymous
    
    I hear you, I have the same exact tendencies. I feel like Katherine Hepburn in Bringing Up Baby-I will eventually bully some shy chap into a relationship with me. Would that I were as fabulous as her, and that the guy was Cary Grant, but ANYWAY.
    
    Oh yeah, this kid is ok.
Anonymous

I love what I can see of that Varvatos suit.
Anonymous

I love what I can see of that Varvatos suit.
Anonymous

I love it ! The styling is great, he wears a suit really well.
Anonymous

I love it ! The styling is great, he wears a suit really well.
Anonymous

basically he’s Michael Cera 2.0

boring.
- http://www.facebook.com/people/Chloe-Kessock/1036751901 Chloe Kessock
  
  ewwww he is NOT michael cera. michael cera is a turtle person.
- Leslie Kim
  
  he out michael-ceras michael cera.
Anonymous

basically he’s Michael Cera 2.0

boring.
scottyf

I’m actually surprised that the photographers were able to get THAT much animation out of him in the last pic.

Like you, I thought he was brilliant in The Social Network. After seeing him in interviews, I also began to wonder if his personality was just incredibly close to Zuckerberg’s. I prefer to think he is just a shy and cerebral actor. He looks quite adorable and dapper in those suits. I think I’m a bit too chunky, but I may have to check out the Zara and the Ben Sherman.

Though, what kills me is dumping soy milk on a $315.00 Armani shirt. Oy, Gevalt!
- http://profiles.google.com/awilsongirl Amy Wilson
  
  All I can see in the first picture is that there is milk exploding all over a very expensive suit.
  - Anonymous
    
    Actually, they chose quite an inexpensive suit for that shot, by far the cheapest. It’s the first thing I thought of when I saw food exploding all over it. The shirt is the expensive part of that ensemble, much pricier than the suit itself.
- Anonymous
  
  i too think he is shy or doesnt care.
  
  no matter scotty you go right out & check the zara & ben sherman.
scottyf

I’m actually surprised that the photographers were able to get THAT much animation out of him in the last pic.

Like you, I thought he was brilliant in The Social Network. After seeing him in interviews, I also began to wonder if his personality was just incredibly close to Zuckerberg’s. I prefer to think he is just a shy and cerebral actor. He looks quite adorable and dapper in those suits. I think I’m a bit too chunky, but I may have to check out the Zara and the Ben Sherman.

Though, what kills me is dumping soy milk on a $315.00 Armani shirt. Oy, Gevalt!
Anonymous

that’s a heap ‘o fun…. Don’t over think our little friend and just enjoy the pics!
Anonymous

that’s a heap ‘o fun…. Don’t over think our little friend and just enjoy the pics!
http://pulse.yahoo.com/_NMLK23QK6C7NMLMVVYA5POXKJY WhiteMage

he and michael cera are clones, and their roles are completely interchangeable.
http://pulse.yahoo.com/_NMLK23QK6C7NMLMVVYA5POXKJY WhiteMage

he and michael cera are clones, and their roles are completely interchangeable.
- Anonymous
  
  Oh, heh, I didn’t see this when I posted! Michael Cera, yeah, the guy from Juno, bingo.
- Anonymous
  
  Oh, heh, I didn’t see this when I posted! Michael Cera, yeah, the guy from Juno, bingo.
- Anonymous
  
  Yeah, I think I watched Zombieland and just now realized it wasn’t Michael Cera in the lead role.
  - Anonymous
    
    Seriously, I did the same thing.
Anonymous

Love the cat!
Anonymous

Love the cat!
- Anonymous
  
  I know! You WERQ it, Kitty!
Anonymous

Ha! For the longest time I just thought he was the guy from Juno. I wonder if the Social Network was that once-in-a-lifetime role – his new movie looks just awful, and I have a sinking feeling that if he didn’t immediately turn his success from the Social Network into more serious roles he’s sort of doomed now.
Anonymous

Ha! For the longest time I just thought he was the guy from Juno. I wonder if the Social Network was that once-in-a-lifetime role – his new movie looks just awful, and I have a sinking feeling that if he didn’t immediately turn his success from the Social Network into more serious roles he’s sort of doomed now.
- Anonymous
  
  His next movie is with Woody Allen and he’s debuting a self-written play Off Broadway this fall. I think he’ll be fine.
  - Anonymous
    
    I see, as Woody Allen’s son — that could be great casting! (If Woody Allen can restrain himself onscreen and let the rest of the cast shine.)
Anonymous

Is he supposed to be some new Marvel Comics superhero whose magnetic personality causes eruptions? In any event, he looks nice in the clothes.
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1344922354 Eric Scheirer Stott

What gets me in the first picture is- THE SHIRT COSTS MORE THAN THE SUIT BY OVER A HUNDRED BUCKS!
- Christine Campbell
  
  That’s what I’m saying (although I’m going to be a bitch and point out it’s only $76.)
Anonymous

He fosters cats–good enough for me. I’m guessing he’s shy and awkward for real and I agree with @Diane_G:disqus that it’s supposed to be ironic.
http://profiles.google.com/sara.e.munoz Sara Munoz

He looks pretty cute in the newspaper picture.

The most likeable he’s been is in “Adventureland”. That was a great little movie. If you can overlook beady-eyed miscast Ryan Reynolds…
- Tamara Hogan
  
  I loved that movie.
Anonymous

Interesting. I haven’t seen The Social Network or any of his other movies, so can’t comment on his personality or how he comes across in interviews. But he seems to wear a suit well enough, although as someone else posted, he should stay away from brown. The blues look so much better on him.
- Tina Martinovici
  
  I think he likes brown, or something, because I’ve seen several different pictures of him wearing brown clothes.
- Tina Martinovici
  
  I think he likes brown, or something, because I’ve seen several different pictures of him wearing brown clothes.
Anonymous

The last picture is hilarious. It’s all “doop-de-doo, shit’s exploding behind me. I’mma eat this tasty ice cream.”
Anonymous

Is he very unlucky? Is that the story?
Anonymous

I have adored Jesse Eisenberg since he played Anne Hathaway’s brother in the late nineties, cancelled-too-soon (on FOX of course) “Get Real”. His character on that show was more dynamic than recent roles, but still with that awkward undercurrent. I’ve always assumed he is just shy and very anxious in “all eyes on me” situations, despite being an actor. Then again, I am that kind of person.

These pictures are fun and the clothes are fab. No complaints!
Anonymous

As others have noted, his blasé, unfazed expressions are the point of the photos. If he had a variety of emotion going on facially, the editorial wouldn’t have worked. They’re saying, he’s the nerdy, thinking guy … in an industry that likes its young male stars to be in movies that are either full of explosions or frat-boy slapstick. Unlike a lot of the “hunks” in Hollywood, he actually has the body for these kinds of clothes. The blue suits are all gorgeous. Wish I had the money for that Ben Sherman … or a place to wear it.
- Anonymous
  
  As a former art director, it needs to be said that the people in the photos don’t CHOOSE the photos that are used in an editorial … EVER (in spite of what Tyra Banks has tried to make the public believe). An editorial photo shoot results in hundreds of images with a big variety of looks and expressions (both in body and face), and a team of art directors and editors decide which ones are used. So assigning some responsibility to the model for what “face” they’re giving in any given editorial is kind of ludicrous. If you don’t think the subject is interesting, it’s just as likely the result of an editor’s vision as any fault of the photographed.
  - Anonymous
    
    I have always suspected that this was the case – although sometimes it boggles the mind to think that certain photos really were the best from hundreds staged, styled & shot by a team of professionals. Even allowing for the fact that there are myriad factors besides the model’s expression that go into the decision.
    - Anonymous
      
      They aren’t. I was interning at a place years ago when Natalie Merchant was still fronting 10,000 Maniacs. The art director picked a throwaway photo where one guy in the band was yawning, another was looking off in the other direction, another was slouching, and Natalie was just waiting for a cue from the photographer. It was the worst possible photo, and they protested the choice after it was published, but the art director thought it made them look “funky” to live up to the band’s name.
margaret meyers

The suits are beautifully fitted and he wears them well.
- Mary McClelland
  
  I love a man who can pull of a sharply cut, skinny suit.
Terence Ng

That cat seems remarkably unfazed by the exploding cereal right above it.
http://profiles.google.com/withano Loren S

He comes across as much more relaxed when he’s doing interviews with his better half Andrew Garfield.
Anonymous

Swoon. Love dorky Jewish guys. And exploding shit is cool.
Christine Campbell

They use $200 suits in GQ fashion editorials? Have I just not been paying attention? He looks pretty adorable, I think.
Anonymous

loving all the blue suits (aren’t they the same), but the brown not so much
Anonymous

I constantly confuse him with Michael Cera. They are clones. That being said, Jesse looks good in the suits. Woody Allen made a career playing Woody Allen, so I think Eisenzuckerberg should do just fine.
Joyce VG

Meh.
Anonymous

Love the idea for the editorial. British in spirit but distinctly American in its execution.
And I think JE does just fine but then again, I loved The Social Network so maybe I’m biased.
Rand Ortega

Cute kid.
Anonymous

He looks better in blue than in brown.

I didn’t love the shoot, it reminded me of novelty greeting cards with over-harsh color tones.
Maria Acosta Cruz

Dudes, check him out in SNL– the intro when he hosted. He’s frickin’ adorable.
http://www.twitter.com/allforusophia AllForUSophia

This editorial is like a day at a fun fair! Fun… Love the John Varvatos suit!
Margot Brose

It might interest you to know that Eisenberg suffers from OCD, which explains a lot about his acting style. And you MUST admit, this is super creative for a guyditorial, even if he isn’t much of a model.
http://profiles.google.com/ameliaheartsu Amelia Logan

a series of jesse in blue suits, awesome…
Anonymous

I think he’s great and so are the photos. He wears his clothes well.
http://twitter.com/anoel Ashley

But that’s why I love him! I find it charming…but then I like that kind of personality. I don’t get an a-hole vibe off him though.
http://profiles.google.com/trashilove { edi } ilovetrash

photoshop is very good bordering on great.
http://pulse.yahoo.com/_3AJ237ND3GAHDQJZ4TLCO4WLRA Emily

He’s a cutie. I’d like to believe he’s not an a-hole. I liked Adventureland as well as Social Network.
- Alyson Lamble
  
  Adventureland made even Kristen Stewart tolerable. Sweet little movie.
  - http://pulse.yahoo.com/_35OW6VJZLWTQDQHS4JLRTVC2JA Akumabunny
    
    True. I thought he and Kristen Stewart had such good chemistry because they BOTH have such similar ticks and mannerisms. It’s almost like she’s the female version of him.
http://www.facebook.com/people/Chloe-Kessock/1036751901 Chloe Kessock

I think you guys are right in that he’s painfully shy. He’s always seemed that way to me, but if you watch most of the press for The Social Network you’ll see he’s very modest. If he ever seems dismissive its mostly because he’s just terrified of press. I doubt there’s anyone sweeter in Hollywood. Watch all his interviews with Andrew Garfield, he really comes alive when he’s with him. Theirs was the bromance of the century; they brought out the best in each other.
Anonymous

Yes, but who is the cat?
Anonymous

It’s kind of difficult to rag on the guy considering he’s clearly not actually in any of the scenes they’ve placed around him. Even really good actors have problems performing with green screen.
Anonymous

The pants on the blue suit look way too small and short. But they’re not, right? I’ll NEVER understand how men’s pants are supposed to fit.
Anonymous

I want an ice cream cone now.
http://twitter.com/noelster_sf Noel Adolph

wondering if there’s a reason 3 of four pix are of blue suits? maybe in addition to being painfully, awkwardly shy, he’s more a fall/winter?
Anonymous

I read an interview where he said he has OCD (to the point where he’s on medication for it) and he admits to only playing anxious, fidgety characters because that’s how he is. I can appreciate when an actor admits to a limited range and works within it. And as someone who occasionally suffers from crippling shyness that’s confused for snobbiness, I can sympathize with him.
jeneria

He’s like the poor man’s Michael Cera. I don’t like either of them.
- MilaXX
  
  I agree he is having the career i think Michael Cera thought he was going to have. However i have seen him on one too many RC and chat show being more douche-y than awkward so my vote is he’s just a jerk. Don’t like him anymore than I liked his sister Haille when she was acting.
jeneria

He’s like the poor man’s Michael Cera. I don’t like either of them.
Anonymous

He would benefit from a really choppy close cropped hair job
http://twitter.com/thelilerin erin l.

I think that’s what magazines have to do: pair an out of this world photographer with a simple, boring actor. Success enough?
Anonymous

I”ve had a thing for him since The Curse. Or whatever that warewolf movie was. With Joshua Jackson, Christina Ricci and pretty, pretty Milo. And yea, he played an awkward and fidgety character.
Anonymous

I often wonder about how the people who confuse him with Michael Cera. Are we all just vaguely humanoid shape blobs to them until they feel like paying attention? They’re both good at the awkward schtick, but they really don’t look alike.
- Anonymous
  
  I get them mixed up all the time. They have similar faces and the same awkward acting style. I like Cera better though.
Anonymous

I don’t find him sexy. Never have. But damn the blue suit photos make him look HAWT.
http://www.facebook.com/people/Sarah-Friedman/100002363116424 Sarah Friedman

LOVE the clothes on him. The suits in the second and third pictures? J’adore.
https://profiles.google.com/104791269167429064986 Judy S

I guess I haven’t seen Cera in many (any?) shows, so I think of him as one of those teen actors and of Eisenberg as an actor. I think this editorial is perfect. One thing his characters tend not to be is cool and he looks like he is having fun being cool in these photos.
Chloe Mims

Watch Squid and the Whale boys. Quality.

Share This

Jesse Eisenberg for GQ Magazine

Archives

Follow us

Archives