Javier Bardem showed off his trim figure by posing shirtless in pictures taken by his wife Penelope Cruz. In an interview with The Gentleman’s Journal, the actor reflected on their feelings 17 years after first meeting and the moment of falling in love. Javier and Penelope began their romance after they met again on the set of another film, ‘Vicky Cristina Barcelona’ in 2008, and two years later they married. However, the very first meeting was on the set of the film ‘Ham, Ham’ (1992) by Spanish director Bigas Luna.
“She was 17 and I was 22. It was her first film and one of my first films. We met at a wardrobe test, looked at each other, and I think something happened. Something that has no explanation and that goes beyond logic and reasoning.”
Bardem said that at that point there was no romantic relationship between them, it began 17 years later on the set of the film ‘Vicky Cristina Barcelona’, which brought Penelope an Oscar for Best Supporting Actress.
“We realised that the feeling was still alive. Very much alive. To our surprise!” – Javier added. – “But it just so happened that we were both single at that moment, so naturally what had to happen happened: two people reunited because they had a lot in common, much more than they expected.”
Javier and Penelope have two children: 13-year-old son Leo and 11-year-old daughter Luna. Bardem also told the publication that he has learnt to accept his imperfections when it comes to fatherhood.
“I’m imperfect. I have a bunch of flaws and things to fix in terms of me as a human being. But having the opportunity to mentor someone is the most important responsibility you will ever have. You’re helping to guide, to shape someone, and how can you do that if you’re not self-educating? If you’re not really evaluating, who are you as a person? Who are you? And what have you achieved? What are our shortcomings? What are our strengths. Because we all have to work on our virtues, pay attention to them. But we have to pay attention to our faults,” the actor concluded.
