The Bear's Jeremy Allen White and Lionel Boyce Debate Best Director of All Time | GQ

Jeremy Allen White goes head to head with 'The Bear' castmate Lionel Boyce over the greatest film director of all time. In our debate corners, White will be repping Stanley Kubrick and Boyce believes in the power of Robert Altman. Full Metal Jacket or M*A*S*H? Who takes home the win? Sound off in the comments.
Directors: Noel Howard & Hasan Khalid
Director of Photography: Carter Ross
Editor: Brady Jackson
Talent: Lionel Boyce & Jeremy Allen White
Producers: Kevyn Fairchild & Christie Garcia
Line Producer: Jen Santos
Associate Producers: Amy Haskour & Landrie Hatcher
Production Manager: James Pipitone
Production Coordinator: Jamal Colvin
Talent Bookers: Mark Anthony Green & Luke Leifeste
Camera Operators: John Weselcouch & AJ Young
Gaffer: Jon Corum
Audio: Kari Barber
Production Assistants: Johnny Briseno & Lana Dvorak
Groomer: Hee Soo Kwon
Production Designer: Sage Griffin
Post Production Supervisor: Rachael Knight
Post Production Coordinator: Ian Bryant
Supervising Editor: Rob Lombardi
Assistant Editor: Billy Ward
Graphics Supervisor: Keir Novesky
Set furniture generously provided to GQ by CB2
Still haven’t subscribed to GQ on KZbin? ►► bit.ly/2iij5wt
Subscribe to GQ magazine and get rare swag: bit.ly/2xNBH3i
Join the GQ Discord to talk men's fashion, watches, and more: / discord
ABOUT GQ
For more than 50 years, GQ has been the premier men’s magazine, providing definitive coverage of style, culture, politics and more. In that tradition, GQ’s video channel covers every part of a man’s life, from entertainment and sports to fashion and grooming advice. Welcome to the modern guide to style advice, dating tips, celebrity videos, music, sports and more.
/ gqvideos

[@plaidawan]

The real debate should’ve been, “Was Marcus or Carmy in the wrong for the donut incident in Episode 7?”

[@Luckytrapt]

Marcus because time and place to introduce new ideas and in the middle a huge rush isn't the time. Did Carmy take it too far? Potentially. But ultimately Marcus created a situation in an environment that was already cause and effect or action/reaction.

[@mctheplaywright]

@@Luckytrapt you’re right about time and place, and that makes it initially Marcus‘s fault. But Carmy pushes it too far, and ends up being the one to apologize. he pushed Marcus and encouraged Marcus the whole season to perfect that, and he knew how much it meant to Marcus. Marcus talks about how he had never been encouraged to try with something as much as he did with the donut. Carmy having that reaction is cruel, he knew how much it meant. Could have given him 30 seconds

[@Luckytrapt]

@@mctheplaywright And Carmy apologizes for his reaction to Marcus bringing him the donut during the crazy rush. But he’s apologizing for his reaction being too far not that Marcus was completely fine. Carmy, and Marcus to some degree tho I can’t recall if it’s shown with Marcus, know that Marcus was wrong to bring it up then. Carmy was wrong to react the way he did but Marcus was the action to start the chain thus his fault. He’s worked kitchen long enough he should know. Especially after Carmy has had to tell him a couple times by that point to focus up. Side note for fun: I mean I worked back of house and seeing a head chef apologize for a horrible reaction was enough to remind me it’s fiction lol

[@hpmedia9489]

Marcus obvi

[@Jadorelainie]

No difficulties there Marcus should've read the room!

[@alexcertified]

Need more of actors talking about their favorite style of film and generally on the magic of cinema !!!!!!!!! This is cool

[@papichefitup]

It's all over KZbin

[@AryaKaiba]

I really love seeing people in any industry talk so passionately about their inspirations/favorites/heroes and analyze them.

[@jhunt5542]

They both had great arguments and are both versatile actors

[@Parker487]

I think Jeremy Allen White had a stronger argument by far😂

[@eddieprg]

Jeremy’s like “yes yes you’re right, everyone is entitled to their own opinion… even if it’s wrong.”

[@mateohodge6998]

This is dope they both came along way in their careers

[@tilerdurpen4135]

Loiter Squad🧀/Shameless💣❤️ to The Bear🐻

[@dgayle2348]

Odd Future has birthed some of the most intriguing talents these past two decades.

[@kanepovey2781]

I love how Jeremy listed all of Kubrick’s “Masterpieces” without even mentioning Barry Lyndon, The Killing and Paths of Glory that’s just how good he was undoubtedly the best

[@nannybells]

he did mention barry lyndon

[@Hugehat]

He mentioned Barry Lyndon

[@kanepovey2781]

@@Hugehat yeah I know he did in the video but he didn’t when he specifically listed off his 5 “masterpieces”

[@Hugehat]

@@kanepovey2781 oh my bad sorry I was on the toilet when I watch the video I wasn't really paying attention. That was my bad

[@shortyrags]

Paths of Glory could probably be considered one of his masterpieces but I don't think Barry Lyndon sits in there. I mean it's still very good, but it doesn't have the same cultural influence as the ones Jeremy mentions.

[@ggthewhale]

There would be no Paul Thomas Anderson without Robert Altman

[@porridgeable]

Well said.

[@daelenstonemeier490]

There would be no Chris Nolan or Denis Villenueve without Stanley Kubrick arguably.

[@ggthewhale]

@@daelenstonemeier490 the world could do quite well without christopher nolan

[@vb2388]

Magnolia is literally Short-Cuts of the 90s..

[@daelenstonemeier490]

@@ggthewhale I mean to be fair Nolan is one of the most important/influential filmmakers working today.

[@alexlovendahl7779]

Boyce wasn't ready for this to be so argumentative/dismissive but Altman's got more masterpieces than Kubrick has movies. (He also made more bad movies than Kubrick has movies. It's complicated.) Altman's unbelievable. Very cool pick.

[@miguelrosado6348]

Kubrick is a far superior and more influential director than Altman, but it's funny how Jeremy Allen White quotes Paul Thomas Anderson who indeed talked about Kubrick a lot especially during the period he was filming Magnolia and Kubrick was doing Eyes Wide Shut, but in reality PT Anderson's greatest influence is Robert Altman especially in his ensemble movies.

[@Whoa802]

Yeah, Altman's a great director and all but against Stanley Kubrick, really? Someone like Alfred Hitchcock or Akira Kurosawa would've been a far better pick.

[@canyildiz5966]

For me it's Martin Scorsese. He makes incredibly complex films over and over again and proves that he is absolutely up for the task every time. Love him to death

[@olivierkepo]

But does he have the same range as other directors ? Kubrick has a great film in pretty much every genre.

[@outkast978]

@@deluxereissue that is not true at all. How is raging bull like Wolf of Wall Street?

[@thewestsideducks]

i think scorsese is like the mac and cheese of directors. you're not going to see a scorsese flick for a science fiction movie

[@outkast978]

@@thewestsideducks absolutely insane analogy. How are films like "The Last Temptation of Christ" or "Silence" comfort junk food like Mac and cheese? You've basically called most of the legendary film directors, Mac and Cheese.

[@TheMogul23]

@@deluxereissue Please explain to us how The Last Temptation of Christ, After Hours, The Age of Innocence, The Last Waltz, and The Departed are remotely similar, let alone the same movie or actually watch some of his films before parroting the uninformed opinions of MCU fanatics.

[@Colmenero444]

We need more debates like this.

[@hlomlamakwetu4119]

Huge OF fan and had no idea Lionel was a cinephile

[@Inphamie]

I believe his role in OF was mostly related to the shows they did. Like Loiter Squad and he was a main producer for The Jellies as well as a show Jasper was on. Seeing him in this show was a pleasant surprise compared to the comedy shows he’s done, love how the OF boys careers went :)

[@brainatoms7259]

I agree with Lionel on Altman. 3 Women is a masterpiece. Kubrick seemed better at achieving his singular vision but Altman gave more room for the actors to breathe and do their stuff to create something special and imo more entertaining. His movies do feel more real and organic. You put on an Altman film anytime around me and I'm more likely to want to watch it beginning to end. The characters are more relatable and more vibrant. Kubrick is probably more of an artistic genius and his movies hit the spot when you're in the right mood for them but they feel sluggish when you're not. The genius of Altman is that he gave more leeway to his actors for them to also use their own genius. To be fair, I may change my mind about this tomorrow.

[@Gemstar_70]

I'd have to side with Jeremy because of the various masterpieces Jeremy listed in Stanley Kubrick's amazing movies, that I, too, love to date! I further agree with Jeremy that Robert Altman would direct the 'Bear' better than Stanley Kubrick because Altman is sensational in capturing the audience's emotions in his stylistic film-making talents.

[@fckvino]

Love this format! Hope to see more of it

[@ryancrawford3413]

1. Stanley Kubrick 2. Akira Kurosawa 3. Alfred Hitchcock 4. Charlie Chaplin 5. Billy Wilder 6. Andrei Tarkovsky 7. Martin Scorsese 8. Paul Thomas Anderson 9. David Lynch 10. Steven Spielberg

[@misterpopeofficial.]

Props to a member of odd future showing love to Altman. Especially mentioning Images.

[@justind9858]

What a joy to watch guys (humans) respectfully thrash out at topic that means so much to both of them. And what a prvililege to watch people who are not only masters of their trade, but such commensurate students of it too.

[@maxmaxneolit]

I've first watched "2001" when I was 8 and it was absolutely mesmerising. Yes, Kubrick is my favourite movie director.

[@khalilahd.]

Lmfaooo I love them they have great chemistry and some really good arguments for both sides. 😅

[@vb2388]

My Top 10.. 1. Stanley Kubrick 2. Akira Kurosawa 3. Andrei Tarkovsky 4. David Lynch 5. Robert Altman 6. Martin Scorsese 7. Yasujirō Ozu 8. Ingmar Bergman 9. Terrence Malick 10. Hayao Miyazaki HMs - Steven Spielberg, Alfred Hitchcock, The Coen Brothers, Paul Thomas Anderson, Werner Herzog, Wong Kar-wai, Wes Anderson etc

[@paixao26]

1 Scorsese 2 Nelson Pereira dos Santos 3 Kubrick Top3

[@FreekillGaming]

Good list!!

[@jiixq]

1.Ingmar Bergman 2.Wong Kar Wai 3.Akira Kurosawa 4.Andrei Tarkovsky 5.Martin Scorsese 6.Stanley kubrick 7.yasujiro ozu 8.david lynch 9.paul thomas anderson 10.masaki kobayashi

[@yeah-sn7jv]

wong kar wai should be higher

[@henrythomas9514]

great list

[@haroldbelfast]

Actually, Altman *did* do a sci-fi movie: Quintet, with Paul Newman.

[@djstarsign]

Yup

[@ashish_sunny]

The advertisement campaign for 'The Bear' was long time due, I'm glad it started now at the least. It was easily one of the best shows of the year!

[@Glub5280]

Going to check out some Robert Altman films after this. Thanks

[@danbradbury3937]

you should do more vids on people debating best director

[@jocelyn1264]

Kubrick's influence is everywhere, but I LOVE Altman so much personally, so this debate was really fun!

[@animalcrossingfan113]

How has no one noticed that Jeremy looks exactly like Gene Wilder here

[@aktherula2048]

yes i was trying to remember who he looks like they look just alike

[@mf1932]

Literally thought recently that he should play Gene Wilder in a movie.

[@lovelucy]

so happy and proud to see how far lionel has come. forever my favorite

[@marvinharris8358]

GQ; more of this please.

[@ethanhwhite1455]

Martin Scorsese and Akira Kurosawa should be next.

[@alexinsinger2196]

Akira Kurosawa would win 7 Samurai inspired The Magnificent Seven one of the most iconic American Westerns. Most his filmography has been regaled in cinema.

[@rileytipper5110]

Personally couldn’t pick a favourite director, I love way too many equally

[@dawb86]

Exactly lol. We're talking about a hundred year old artistic craft. The fact that people believe you HAVE to choose one out of THOUSANDS of greats is so ridiculous to me...

[@danielcoates8632]

I love these guys, keep doing these !

[@alextorres7655]

Please do more of these

[@Chosenone2]

GQ never fails to entertain

[@porridgeable]

I loved The Bear.

[@uglymother94]

despite preferring kubrick, i will say lionel was much more convincing- seemed like a real fan

[@bobbykelly7109]

He keeps mentioning PTA but doesnt mention that PTA literally worked under robert altman on sets with him. He yelled about being called “little Bobby Altman”

[@chimichangaproductionsextr4714]

Just saying Jeremy Allan White should have played willy wonka in the wonka prequel film

[@schuylersterling]

I don’t know man. I don’t want to live in a world without either and the long good bye is one of my favorite movies of all time.

[@Jadorelainie]

Something about Jeremy yelling always so cathartic hahaha

[@carolmonteiro4267]

Amei a edição

[@MM-jc7uv]

1:13 he looks just like Gene Wilder it’s actually insane

[@drunkgeek3035]

do more of these pls

[@user-cf1sk6rk9u]

I throughly enjoyed this … wish it was longer lowkey

[@jaredvlogs8891]

thanks gq for hyping up jeremy allen white cause he deserves it. the bear rules.

[@blackbox2012bigmars]

altman actually made two sci-fi movies: countdown (1967) (made a year before 2001) & quintet (1979)

[@timmeadows970]

Brewster McCloud. I find myself loving Altman more as I get older.

[@mctheplaywright]

Kubrick reached a higher peak with Barry Lyndon than Altman ever did. But I think Altman’s oeuvre as a whole is more impressive, if I could only watch one of their filmographies it would be Altman.

[@treywebster7224]

Nashville is the greatest American film of all time and in that decade alone he also made MASH, The Long Goodbye, California Split, Images, Brewster McCloud, McCabe & Mrs. Miller, and 3 Women. Kubrick made 2 movies in the whole seventies. Altman is just unmatched in his versatility, consistency, and quantity of quality movies he was able to put out in such a short period. Barry Lyndon is a masterwork but Altman has 4 just in that decade.

[@mctheplaywright]

@@treywebster7224 EXACTLY, explained it better than I could!

[@sahej6939]

his egg? 🥚 🥚

[@brendacmendez]

pls give a raise to the editor of this... brady i see you

[@bradyjackson1655]

You’re nice. Thanks!

[@dep6898]

awesome duo

[@rashadismail1685]

Random question but does anyone know what pants Jeremy is wearing or a similar style?

[@vespertil10]

jeremy allen white would make a great wolverine

[@cheeseballjohnson2368]

been saying this

[@elijahstark3663]

He would be better as cyclops

[@vespertil10]

@@elijahstark3663 jensen ackles or scott eastwood should play cyclops

[@jomoeiviem7619]

@@vespertil10 scott eastwood has the look, jensen ackles if he shaves would be 100% Scott Summers the leader

[@bsl4762]

Not at all lmfaoooo

[@lisajjordan]

This is so much fun!!!

[@majucarvalho5558]

I could listen to jeremy talk about cinema for hours.

[@ArKaneAcrumProductions]

yea me too 😹

[@razrxo]

More videos like this GQ

[@gabzpot]

Fantastic video.

[@237schibe_]

Here are some directors that could be considered Alfred Hitchcock Billy Wilder Akira Kurasowa Andrei Tarkovsky Orson Welles

[@j_0922]

Should’ve mentioned mccabe with the masterpieces, one of the best uses of music in a film

[@jubilee7019]

these two should do a podcast

[@thilosoccer]

I wish the final bit was an actual segment of the argument over just the endcard because LMFAOOO

[@mrbard1]

I wait for seaon 2 of the Bear. Ive been hooked ever since episode 1

[@jodyisthatyou4296]

"Zsigmond recalled many years ago in London when Altman and Stanley Kubrick ran into each other after seeing each other’s films, McCabe and 2001. “Robert,” gushed Kubrick, “those zoom lens shots are incredible. Did you do it yourself?” Altman replied, “No, my cinematographer does that.” “And you trust him?” Kubrick shot back. -Vilmos Zsigmond on McCabe & Mrs. Miller"

[@InternetGirl1093]

I hope they also captured more content with them beyond them just arguing about directors lol. This is a cool concept, but I’d rather learn more about them as actors and The Bear.

[@trevorschroeder6745]

Should do more of thes

[@crozraven]

For recent time, my picks are either Christoper Nolan or Denis Villeneuve.

[@Loonimis]

These two could co-Star a new rendition to blazing saddles. Jeremy just looks like Gene Wilder.

[@flamedrain1038]

This is great can’t wait until Lionel gets the backing peele has

[@cheeseballjohnson2368]

i see lionel i click

[@noodtayne599]

more of these

[@ssjorj]

First things first, OFWGKTA. Happy to see Lionel having a good acting career and second, Without Altman we wouldn't have Kubrick. But I like Kubrick more

[@boogdoggtx]

Idk I’m just here to plug the ebbets field hat that Lionel has on I’m pretty sure it’s the 1928 Taiyo Cubs

[@samramos1713]

Awsome both

[@d.f.w.m.n8676]

Great video

[@macca3666]

Anyone know what particular overshirt Jeremy is wearing?

[@ReganAtSea]

this is charming but lionel was fighting an uphill battle

[@mariethesizzler]

Can you do "breaks down iconic characters" with jaime lee curtis? Or neve Campbell? I also really wanted to see the same thing or the "10 things they can't live without" with selena Gomez 🙂

[@dawb86]

Jamie Lee Curtis would be great but how many iconic roles does Neve really have outside of 'Scream' and 'Wild Things' though?

[@mariethesizzler]

@@dawb86 the craft! But in all honesty I just wanted to hear her talk about scream 🙂 I'm a huge horror movie fan and that's one of my favorite movies 🙂

[@dawb86]

@@mariethesizzler Mine too. It used to irk me how so many kids now see it and think it's just an average slasher flick before it dawned on me that so many films after it ripped it off a lot of things in it don't surprise them... 😂

[@brendacmendez]

those big captions appearing whenever they tried to form their sentences lol

[@user-um5qd2qu6m]

Thanks for the comment and Congratulations you have been selected among my lucky winner's dm to claim your prize now telegram only 🚀🚀🚀🚀🚀

[@MusicLuna22]

petition for these 2 to do a remake of see no evil, hear no evil

[@yasminetarr3162]

season two about to come out? what’s this?

[@vitod7425]

Kubrick is the safe answer, Altman is the real answer.

[@chiputiman]

This should not be a debate

[@tae7x]

"wow 60 seconds is long" "you talk too fast :)" 😭

[@TGFNittros]

That moment where Jeremy seemed worried Lionel was about to embarrass himself by almost listing Popeye as one of Altman's Masterpieces XD

[@travel6482]

Love this so much

[@lucasmossman3820]

I'm with Jeremy on this one. Kubrick was the master.

[@gabrielgolden4336]

These two are after my own heart debating my two favorite directors.

[@mattsutton5328]

What are the names of the chairs?

[@LOVER_LINK]

i like how theyre born in the same year

[@thinice6080]

Now I love you even more. Jeremy Allen White, you know, there's something very important that we need to do as soon as possible.

[@themothermarkos]

Next up - Luca Guadagnino versus Celine Sciamma!

[@rhiannamutyaba6461]

Next video should be the debate on the best decade for cinema. The 70s or the 90s.

[@user-um5qd2qu6m]

wow👆 Thanks for the comment and congratulations you have been selected among my lucky winner's on my ongoing giveaway section dm to claim your prize now telegram only 🚀🚀

[@Esta-Beed]

The Bear is a fantastic show

[@chase5246]

The end is funny asf lol

[@judeness9310]

Jeremy u say u don’t think of sound design when THE BEAR USES SO MUCH SOUND DESIGN TO CONVEY STORY like when carmi had a panic attacked and they made a distorted version of that REM song to portray that 😂

[@aclementine9928]

i loved this, very funny. love The Long Goodbye, such a great movie and why I got a cat

[@GodMcQueen]

*Love 'em.*

[@JordanNMusic]

13:48 I feel like Lionel hasn’t even seen that many Altman movies for this statement alone 😂

[@nocherrypicking]

big fan.. this is fireeee. MORE