George Clooney reportedly lost confidence in his 2014 Second World War drama *The Monuments Men* after it received a muted critical response. The episode matters because leaked Sony emails revealed an unusually candid reaction from a major actor-director to the perceived shortcomings of a high-profile production.

Clooney directed, co-wrote and starred in the film, which followed a group of art experts attempting to recover cultural works stolen by the Nazis. Despite a prominent ensemble cast including Matt Damon, Cate Blanchett, Bill Murray and John Goodman, the $70 million film drew mixed reviews; in an email to Sony executive Amy Pascal, Clooney apologised and said he feared he had let colleagues down. The film nevertheless earned about $155 million worldwide.