Video Tuesday: Awkward Meeting Between Sean Penn and Shimon Peres

"Look . . . but to be frank . . ."

As I understand it, Peres and Penn were meant to acknowledge their mutual commitment to relief work in Haiti. The meeting was at the Peres Center for Peace in Tel-Aviv, which appears to have more small objects displayed along its foyer wall than your average mid-range seafood restaurant.

This interaction really makes me feel for Sean Penn, who seems to be making a great effort to maintain the proper attentive and grateful facial expression as the 92-year-old former Israeli president's quasi-intimate and ernest advice continues for almost two minutes, though it's often hard to make out what he is actually saying. Then Penn almost flubs it by responding, "while I appreciate your words tremendously, it's a little embarrassing..." causing Peres to momentarily wince.

Peres: That's the real Mystic River inside you. You didn't know that you had it. 

Penn: I'm happy to be alone together with you.

Here's to the ideal of showing proper gratitude and respect, even when it's awkward. I think we've all been there.

From The Times of Israel via Israellycool: