A fantastic body language tell is displayed in the above video. Keanu Reeves is being interviewed regarding his just released movie, "47 Ronin" by Savannah Guthrie (Today).
Beginning at 2:20, Guthrie asks the accomplished actor, "Well, it's really exciting to watch and I, I was thinking about you because honestly we don't see you that often. You seem to be very choosy about your projects. Is that on purpose? Is that by design?"
Reeves answers, "Yeah. Yeah ...I mean, you know you want to find the right project. You wanna [deep exhale] ummm, yeah, I can just say that. You know."
During the 2:27 - 2:29 segment as Guthrie says, "... about your projects. Is that on purpose? ..." (And probably repeated however camera angle precludes the view), Reeves rubs both of his thighs with each hand forward to and then including the knees. This self-massage, rubbing of the thighs is an example what is known as a Manipulator, Adaptor or Pacifier (aka MAP) and is consistent with a heightened anxiety state. However, when this progresses forward (and downward) to include the knees, there is a particularly hesitancy in full disclosure of the matter being discussed. This evasiveness is clearly expressed verbally in this example of Reeves - however in other scenarios it is not so obvious. This very specific nonverbal tell is particularly helpful during vetting, voir dire, negotiations, depositions, interrogations and interview settings.
This is yet another example of a skilled actor being very easy to read with respect to his body language. And he acts for a living. What other significant tells did you see in this video?
See also:
Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2567: Keanu Reeves, "Man of Tai Chi" and a Beta Posture
Body Language Confidence Secret # 33: Keanu Reeves - Covering the Mouth While Smiling
Nonverbal Communication Secret # 1083: Brewer's MAPs Flag Foreboding
Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2642: Tom Hanks Can't Act Away a Fib - His Body Language Tells a Little Lie
Negotiation Secret # 91: MAPs by Proxy
Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 1869: One Body Language Signal a President Should Never Display
Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2522: Jake Gyllenhaal and Jimmy Kimmel, Part II, Body Language and Anxiety in Hollywood
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