LONG BEFORE HE landed a role in Quentin Tarantino’s Inglourious Basterds or got his mickey out in Shame, Michael Fassbender was known for his role in this iconic Guinness ad.
The award-winning ad sees Fassbender play a man who swims across the Atlantic to resolve a feud with his mate and have a pint of Guinness. As you do.
Let’s take a look back, shall we?
The ad opens with Fassbender flicking on this radio.
Notice the empty coffee cup. How very cosmopolitan and Celtic Tiger. Back in the days when you could buy lattes and get a mortgage.
Fassbender stops dead in his tracks as soon as he hears Mic Christopher’s Heyday on the radio.
Please take a moment to appreciate this ludicrous noughties shirt. Nice design on the sleeve there, Michael.
Honestly, Fassbender is giving us real “young and trendy TG4 presenter who presents a 2004 television show about travelling around America” vibes here.
The not-too-long hair. The shitty stubble. It’s all very Hector/Daithí Ó Sé.
Soon he’s out marching along Grand Canal, blanking joggers.
Imagine plucking up the courage to wave at Michael Fassbender and him totally ignoring you. Surely you’d just have to take to the bed and/or possibly emigrate.
The Naas Ball even makes a cameo.
Heyiz!
Look at the big country man stride on him. A stride that says, “I’ve delivered a calf before and I didn’t get sentimental about it.”
And he certainly doesn’t mind a bit of muck.
What a man, what a man, what a mighty good man…
Soon he’s swimming to America…
As we’ve established, he’s a hard man.
And looking up at the Statue of Liberty.
Wonder what he’s doing in New York? A spot of Christmas shopping? Getting some Abercrombie & Fitch for his nieces and nephews?
Once he reaches dry land, he saunters across a basketball court and interrupts a perfectly good game.
Poor form, Michael.
Finally, he makes it to his destination… the pub.
“I’m swimming to America.”
“Jesus, that’s great, man. What are you going to do there?”
“Get a pint.”
“…oh.”
When your mate comes home from Australia unannounced and wants to get *hammered*
When the beat drops after Fassbender says “Sorry”
I-C-O-N-I-C.
BEST PALS!
Fact: straight Irish men can only show affection if they’re within 10 feet of a pint.
When Michael Fassbender walks into the pub and you instantly start coming up with ways to make him fall in love with you.
Look at her. Totally smitten.
In fairness, look at his cheeky grin.
How could you be immune to his charms?
Also, we’re not sure why exactly Michael was feuding with his pal, but he does appear to make eyes at his date the second he gets a pint into his hand…
Michael Fassbender: will hold a grudge against you for years, swim across the ocean to apologise, steal your woman and ruin your life.
All together now… And this is our heyday, baby!
