"I think that I've still not been successful at playing the role of the retired actor, and I'd like to work on that"

In this quote, Sean Penn expresses an amusing and self-reflective observation about his ongoing connection to the acting occupation, even as he ponders retirement. On the surface area, the remark reveals an admission of his struggle to adjust to retirement, suggesting that despite any intents to go back from the spotlight, he still feels a compelling pull towards his profession as a star. His usage of the expression "playing the function of the retired star" skillfully mirrors the language of acting, implying that retirement itself resembles a role he has yet to master. This metacommentary on his life blurs the lines in between personal experience and expert life, highlighting how deeply intertwined they are for him.

Penn's quote can be seen as reviewing the id that many face upon retiring. It recommends that after years of a satisfying career, moving into retirement is not merely a modification in everyday routine however a complex transition that includes redefining one's identity. For Penn, whose life has been so deeply linked to his craft, the concept of retirement might feel like stepping away from a vital part of who he is.

The latter part of the quote, where he points out wishing to "deal with that", symbolizes an amusing acknowledgment that retirement, much like any role, needs effort and adaptation. It indicates that he sees humor in the concept of needing to practice being retired, as if it were another character to portray convincingly.

Penn's expression records a universal struggle with modification, identity, and the continuing desire for purpose and engagement, even when moving towards a quieter phase of life. He highlights the trouble many individuals deal with in retiring not as an end, but a clean slate that requires its own learning curve.