Orlando Bloom: More than just a pretty face?
Filed under: Newsstand, Cameron Crowe
The Independent's Craig McLean interviewed Orlando Bloom recently, and in his write up questions whether Bloom has the wherewithal to make the transition from hunky action star, swashbuckling around with pirates and trolls, to real live actor. McLean recalls how he tried to get some thoughtful, intelligent answers out of Bloom to some probing questions about Bloom's own family life and felt the actor fell short of providing illuminating responses.
I'm not really sure what to make of this write-up, myself. It almost feels like McLean went into the interview predisposed not to like Bloom, simply because Bloom has experienced extraordinary success. About halfway through the article, McLean notes, "I'm keen to discover what the "it" is that Bloom possesses because he has become, in four short years, one of - if not the - most in-demand, talked-about actors in the world. Already he's earning those millions and millions of dollars. Why? How? He hasn't had to do all that much acting."
Personally, I really dislike these kind of snooty write-ups. If McLean isn't a fan of Bloom and can't understand his appeal and fame, why interview him? Unless, of course, the whole point of this article is to try to make Bloom look like an idiot, and McLean like the smirking intellectual trying to back him into a corner and show the world this successful young actor is just a flash in the pan with no brains or talent underneath.
The thing is, interview write-ups like this feel like a bait-and-switch. Lure the actor to an interview ("Yeah, Orlando, we really need you to do this sit-down with the guy from The Independent. It'll be fine, it's your home turf, they love you!") on the premise that you want to talk about Elizabethtown, then use it as an opportunity to write a mocking account of the young actor's attempt to answer your probing, on-the-spot questions about his personal life. Nice.
The one interesting bit in the article is where Elizabethtown director Cameron Crowe reveals the bit of sneaky subterfuge he pulled to elicit a genuine emotional response from Bloom for one scene. If someone pulled that on me, I'm not sure my response would have been, "No, that's OK, all's fair", but then again, maybe I'm just not as nice or forgiving a person as Bloom.
What do you think? If an actor agrees to an interview, is it fair game to slant the article to make him look bad? Is all fair in love, war, and writing up interviews?
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
10-22-2005 @ 4:45PM
Kellie said...
I think it's jealousy. People are so jaded anymore and it's hard for them to believe someone like Orlando Bloom is the real deal.
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10-22-2005 @ 6:15PM
Kathy said...
In my opinion, the Independent article makes the interviewer look bad. Bloom comes off just fine. There's nothing wrong with having limits to what you're willing to talk about. Maybe more actors should be that way.
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10-23-2005 @ 12:07AM
ashlaegl said...
I went and read the interview and honestly, I don't think McLean was trying to make Orlando look bad. Maybe it was just his perception of Orlando at the time of the interview. If McLean's word for word quote of Orlando's answer to his question about making ETown true, can you really say you understood his answer and not found it confusing? I've seen Orlando's interviews on tv and sometimes it does come across that he seems lost for words or goes off at a tangent when answering a question. Don't get me wrong, I like Orlando but I'm not blindly worshipful of his good looks that I don't pay attention to his acting skills, and this is only my opinion but I do think that his acting is not quite there yet.
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10-23-2005 @ 3:07PM
Julia Andrews said...
The problem with Orlando Bloom is that has a very interesting background...broken back, family upheaval, leaving for London at age 16....yet his personality appears open, humble and sweet. Orlando must irk the hell out of interviewers who expect angst and gloom. McLean only mad me admire the recent Rolling Stone interview more, where we did learn something about the real Bloom.
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10-23-2005 @ 5:20PM
Carol said...
Most people, whether we like to believe it about ourselves or not, have some automatic impressions of people ... what we think some one is like, are they really that good, are they really that nice and so on. However, in Orlando's case (as with other actors) there seems to be an automatic belief that because they are truly nice, down to earth, caring people ... not to mention extraordinarily gorgeous that they can't act. Ned Kelley was the jumping off point ... Orlando really didn't say much in Ned Kelley but his acting was fine. Then Troy came out and all the critics could say was that he was "too beautiful" and his character was too feminine. Well, Orlando was great for that role and he did a great job ... didn't he play the part perfectly if what we know of Paris is true? Paris was supposed to be that way. Then came Kingdom of Heaven. My heck, Orlando was excellent in KOH but the critics could only dwell on Orlando and how he didn't fit the part because he was not masculine enough. I think these critics (who are mostly male) need to a grip on what "acting" is and it means that the actor can take the role and make you believe he is that character. Orlando became Paris, he grew to become Balian, no different than the fact that we grew to think of and believe in him as Legolas. The mostly male critics need to maybe get more in touch with their "feminine" side. Now he turns to Elizabethtown and why on God's green earth can they not see him as a complex man who has the same issues in life that most of us have. He is wonderful in the role of Drew. I could not imagine Kirsten Dunst opposite anyone else in that role. They are great together. He played his part and made me feel the sadness he felt and then the happiness as well. He did this and yes ... at the same time he was "beautiful." Orlando will always be a handsome man. God blessed him that way and I for one am happy to see him big as life on screen! People need to get over it and give him credit where credit is due ... the man can act. NOW, before those reading this say that I am just a female fan who idolizes him I will say that "Calcium Kid" was a bit, over the top for me and Orlando could have picked a better role BUT, maybe he wanted to do something light, fun and something he could be a bit lighthearted about. Sometimes I wonder if these critics actually even see the movie because if they did they would change their tune and give Orlando the kudos’ he deserves.
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10-24-2005 @ 9:13AM
Jen said...
I think Craig McLean missed the whole point of the interview - it was to promote Elizabethtown, not delve into his personal life! Besides, whatever goes on in Orlando's life isn't really any of our business. Nor McLean's for that matter. As for his doubt of Bloom's acting skills, Orlando has his whole career ahead of him - McLean's opinions might be valid if Orlando had been doing blockbustery things for ages, but they're not, because, relatively speaking, he hasn't been in the industry for that long. Besides, Orlando was able to get into Guildhall so that must mean something, unless, they too at Guildhall were fooled by his good looks... doubt it though.
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10-24-2005 @ 12:04PM
sally sheridan said...
Orlando Bloom, very handsome, charming and beloved of the biggest Directors in the business. Nobody seems to have a derogatory comment (well, nobody that matters) so no wonder he gets right up the noses of so many other men! As for his acting - give him some credit - some of the appaling lines hes had to contend with would have challenged Olivier. It seems to me that Mr Bloom's strength is in what he doesnt say, whether as an Elf, a knight, a prince or a Pirate - his range of expression is always right on target and will sell the films. When he gets great scripts I think we will see a great actor who will grow and grow. I am very much looking forward to Elizabethtown. You go Orli - unlike so many selfish 'i am's' you seem like a nice kid.
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10-29-2005 @ 10:11PM
elfbean said...
There is nothing wrong with keeping back information that you wish to be private. Orlando is not one to recite an eloquent answer to interviewers. And there is nothing wrong with that. Actually, I believe he is getting better at giving answers. He is humble and decent. His acting is great; people would probably agree if he did not posses his good looks. Critics need to have a more opened mind when they watch a movie, they are simply to narrow minded. If they actually watched and not analysed his acting in Pirates and then compared it to Elizabethtown, they would see his improvement. The same goes with his answers in reveiws. They just can't stand it when a good actor or good movie makes you think.
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