The following is an editorial by Zack Lawrence.
It was sometime ago that Hollywoodland was filled to the brim and boiling over with egocentric, megalomaniacal movie stars all fired up and ready to set your living room ablaze. They were an army of few, A-Listers with twenty million dollar picture deals and blockbuster movies giving them acting credibility even if they didn’t deserve it. Stallone, Shwarzenegger, Bruce Willis, dominated the eighties. We have the great legends of the past Charlton Heston, Kirk Douglas, Brando, Bogart and Jimmy Stuart respected to this day, but who lives up to that legacy? The Michael Jackson’s of today hit the charts with 120k worth of records sold and then burn away like hot ash. We’ve got Justin Timberlake, who seems to be taking the King of Pop’s crown away but how long before the lameness moves in? The celebutants dominating the media’s attention are now all the hype, while all the young’uns in the acting field are going hungry. Ben Affleck was at one point supposed to usher in the new era of what it meant to be a movie star, until he became one Gigli joke. Josh Hartnett had to take the reins in Pearl Harbor but what happened to his star? Yes, these fine actors are making a living and their movies are making some cash, but where are the SUPER stars? Christopher Reeve will go down into history, while anyone besides me and a few others will say Brandon Rooth? Rowth? Routh? Where is that kid? And Han Solo and Indiana Jones? Awesome, but where is Hayden Christianson?
It’s everything and everywhere. Even the ladies. Julia Roberts is now not the major draw, but Reese Witherspoon. I see potential everywhere from Natalie Portman and Anne Hathaway to Scarlet Johansson and Charlize Theron, but still, superstars are now few and far between. Heath Ledger and Jake Gyllenhaal seem to make good choices, and the media is comparing Shia Labeouf to a young Tom Hanks, so there is some sparkle of hope. Brad Pitt and Clooney, Hanks and Will Ferrel are all capable of transitioning between drama and humor, but (besides maybe Hanks) will they be legends? This editorial is an open forum for anyone’s opinion. I am making a broad generalization just to make a point, but what I’d really like is feedback on the idea as a whole. Can Hollywood breed new stars, or will they forge themselves with the reputations come first then follow after. I believe it is a possibility that the studios hype these newbie’s up like a boxing promoter and then most of the time, move on to the newer blood faster then they probably should. Do you remember when a Deniro flick was a once a year event, with Oscar buzz and huge reviews? Then there was Analyze This and That, The Fockers and Bullwinkle. Now it’s Leo D who does one quality film a year, which turns into an event, like Aviator, Gangs of New York and Departed. Matt Damon also is doing well, but again the question arises will these careers become set in stone with “Damn, dirty apes!” or “Say hello to my little friend!”? I have some hope for Christian Bale, and even think Russell Crowe may be able to win back audiences, as long as quality remains in their decision making. Robin Williams is the Man of the Year and riding in an RV while getting his License to Wed, so he can’t possibly do any more Good Will Hunting.
We need more of these quality performers who know what it means to be a star and not a Paris Hilton, who doesn’t know how to act but can act like she’s a star, which is what fools the media into thinking that is what they are, “Act as if.” More substance to the craft and the lifestyle and less papier-mâché’ faux celebs who blow away in the wind like pillars of salt after their expiration date hits its mark. I want movie star to mean what it meant even as little as twenty years ago, and I want it now. Swinging in on a cool night breeze I hear the tinkling sounds of a hundred bells…Chime away.
September 5th, 2007 at 7:24 am
Man it’s not so much the aspect of being a star as it is knowing your craft well and the means and TALENT in which to conduct yourself within said environment.
All those big names you mentioned didn’t have YouTube. The apparent generator of 24hr. stardom. It was more an art to make a presence and make it felt. It still is an art, but the concept of what it takes to stand for something takes much more of a cross media push if stardom is the goal. Websites, talk shows, mini series, etc. It takes a lot to get to the people and make it convincing and it won’t work if you don’t have the proper mix. Hence a lot of that is left to the fate of the gods (and by that I mean those above the self proclaimed hollywood ones).
At the end of the day though, it’s really all about an actor or actress that just wants to do a good job with what they love. If an academy or the public chooses to acknowledge it then so be it.
September 5th, 2007 at 7:33 am
I think it’s fine that Hollywood has moved away (maybe) from the tradition of “Superstardom”. I see no problem with people wanting to see a movie because the story interests them, not beacause of the people in it. We want good actors, not big egos. Besides, remember this: it was the script and the characters that made “STELLA!” and “Frankly my dear, I don’t give a damn.” The actors are the least important things for future historians to remember. I mean, after all, Marlon Brando auditioned for “Rebel Without a Cause”, and he blew it out of the water. It doesn’t take a “name” to sell a movie or make it a remarkable event, it’s the story. The characters. Besides, we are nowhere near the end of “Superstardom”. You mentioned above several actors who are already considered “Superstars” (Pitt, Clooney, Roberts, especially), as well as one whom I personally think will definitely gain the title (LeBeouf). But in all honesty, is it such a bad thing for such titles to completely disappear?
September 5th, 2007 at 7:36 am
Word.
September 5th, 2007 at 10:05 am
Have to agree with you on most of the list of non-superstars. However maybe the reason we don’t view them like that is simply perspective. Perhaps in 20 years time Paris Hilton will be Meryl Streep. (jks)
September 5th, 2007 at 2:25 pm
We have a lack of stars I think becuse (1) The entertainement Media is giving us “Air” on there coverage Paris this Linsey That. Who cares and since most of us now get our news from the Net vs TV, the media does not know we do not care.
Then too our entertainement has changed we get more from Brightcove or Youtube and less from main stream medea. Anyone with a Video device can create and edit a show and find someone to watch it.
Why should I spend a dime seeing some nonacting hack in my local cinema when I can for free find entertainement on the net AND I do not have to put up with his PC bullshit, on some talk show.
We do have stars I like the Director and the Cast of 300 or United 98. Fox News or there like on line.
The day of the old media is dead. New Media is here.
Hollywood day is done. The next stars are us Take control!
September 5th, 2007 at 4:00 pm
Being a Superstar isn’t a good thing and it never was. 4 things can happen when your at the pinnacle of success; typecast, trapped, washed up, or suicide. Lets take look at some of Hollywood’s finest. Elvis Presley- trapped by success and died on a toilet, George Reeves- typecast and then suicide, Marlon Brando- washed up since Superman, Judy Garland-trapped, washed up and died of overdose, Bella Lagusse- washed up (Ed Wood) Michael Jackson- trapped and might as well commit suicide.
Not every actor/celebrity falls into the abyss of STARDOM. After Titantics success Leo Dicaprio was quickly becoming typecast as another teen heart throb but he was smart he disappeared for a few years to later reappear every other year with a stellar movie. Dave Chappell walked away from millions of dollars for another season of the Chappell show simply because he knew he couldn’t keep up with what was being expected of him. He avoided being trapped.
The majority of actors now I believe are being wise. They don’t let their success dictate the roles they choose. Variety of roles prolongs your stardom. You can’t constantly do academy award performances/movies all the time else your privy to the expectation of such. Doing the kiddie flick or the sure do flop comedy/family film will take the heat off you for a bit.
December 20th, 2007 at 10:19 pm
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January 1st, 2008 at 7:29 pm
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