Colin Farrell: For pride or glory

After battling to give up drinks and drugs, Colin Farrell insists he is back to his former glory days. Here the star talks about his new movie Pride and Glory and his ongoing struggle to keep away from bad vices.

What is the story behind Pride and Glory?

A multiple murder has taken place on both sides of the law. Four officers have fallen in a raid that’s gone horribly wrong. There is basically a massacre at the start of the film. There’s an investigation and we find out that a few of the cops are dirty. It tears a family apart. By the end there is too much going on for each character. In fact, there are absolute consequences for everything that you see in the film. For every action that is taken there is a definite reaction. The consequences are very painful.

Can you tell us a bit about your character in Pride and Glory?

I play a New York cop called Jimmy Egan who is very conflicting. In one sense he is a decent father and a good husband and in another sense he is corrupt. The actions and deeds that Egan commits in the film are indicative of what might be perceived to be a bad man. But behind those actions and everything he does there is a reason.

Was the iron scene difficult to shoot?

It wasn’t particularly nice. It was one of those days you’re glad you don’t take your work home with you. The environment, however, was safe and we got through it. But it’s an incredibly violent film and my character Egan is a violent man. He acts without compunction. He is supposed to represent the law and is quite the opposite.

Is the film all action for the whole two hours?

There is not a wasted moment in the film. Nothing is superfluous to the story that is trying to be told – even moments that you think don’t mean anything – there is a reason why they are there.

Do you not drink at all any more?

No. Not at all. But for me there is no choice to be honest with you. I was pretty sick.

Did you find it hard to give up?

The first three months were a nightmare. Because when I went away for five or six weeks, it was a very safe environment and I began to come out of the haze that I was in. And then at the end of it when I came out of that safe environment back to the world, everything was just in a degree of focus. It was a tough life.

You credit your son James with a lot of spurring you on to get clean.

Yes. He’s the best in the world. He is five years now and is amazing.