Thinking of Rob   It's all about Robert Pattinson

Ever since Barnes boy Robert Pattinson smothered his face in talcum powder and put in a set of plastic fangs to play a veggie vampire in Twilight, the man has become the biggest heart-throb on the planet. After seeing thousands of screaming girls in Leicester Square, London for the UK premiere of Remember Me, one feels rather sorry for him. He may offer glib platitudes and thanks “to the fans”, but you sense deep down he just wants to get on with being an actor and not a celebrity. Remember the hullabaloo surrounding Leonardo DiCaprio after Titanic? Well, Pattinson is famous on that frightening level. Leicester Square (17th March) was vision of hell worthy of Hieronymous Bosch.

Hordes of Twi-hards blocked by barriers and security guards stretched out their arms clawing at “R.Pattz” like they were ravenous zombies excited by the prospect of fresh meat. There is no doubt that given the opportunity they would maul poor Robert Pattinson to death. Such encouraged frenzy and devotion is bizarre. The MC only had to say “Rob” and a grand choir of teens spliced the London air with a wail of screams utterly perplexing as it was damaging to the ears. They idolise R.Pattz and don’t care. One group of girls had been camping out in Leicester Square for 32 hours. How do I know this? They had a placard telling everyone. It is devotion bordering on religious mania. They are here to worship at the Church of Pattinson.

And yes, I had to wade through this jungle of sweating flesh and flash bulbs to attend the press conference, which was being held in the same venue after Emile de Ravin and Robert Pattinson introduced the film. Moments later they were in a tiny screening room greeting the gathered press for some questions and answers that started off stilted and ended up rather fun.

The immediate thing one notices about Robert Pattinson is his nervousness when confronted by the press. It’s all in the body language. He swivelled in his chair, would shield his face with his hands and look sideways to avoid eye contact when speaking, bite his nails or mess with his hands: a catalogue of telltale signs.

It’s not rudeness or arrogance, but a discomfort at the process of publicity. Maybe he’ll grow into it with time, but he exuded a great awkwardness to begin with before relaxing and being rather fun.

A major annoyance was caused by the PR people who warned the gathered press that there were to be no questions about Eclipse or Kristin Stewart. So if you’re expecting some fresh details on those subjects, well, there aren’t any. Sorry.

More after the jump!

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