Discuss: Newcomers Whose Time Has Gone
Filed under: Drama, Casting, Mystery & Suspense, Universal
While catching up with the BBC miniseries State of Play (terrific stuff so far), I was discussing with a friend the only particularly troubling casting choice in the entire ensemble of the forthcoming American version: Russell Crowe. Though he was a last-minute replacement for Brad Pitt's role, that didn't prove nearly as bothersome as his street-smart Washington reporter persona and Farrah Fawcett 'do as evidenced in a recent trailer.All kidding aside, my friend brought up a good point about Crowe's recent work -- she wished that he had stayed lean and hungry. It was a striking phrase, because I knew exactly what she meant and that it had nothing to do with his remaining Body of Lies body mass.
And so I turn the question to you lovely people -- what recent break-outs do you feel have already failed to live up to their promise, or have instead been a little less striking in their performances than one might've thought this time a year or two or ten ago? (Ryan Gosling's name keeps popping up in my head, but having just re-watched Lars and the Real Girl, I can't really knock him yet.)
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
2-12-2009 @ 4:18PM
Gray McAdam said...
Yeah, I can't really say Ryan Gosling either because he's very good at strategically choosing his roles, and was good enough in Lars to really live off that one for at least another year.
I would personally say that Eric Bana's name was the first one that came to mind here. He sort of had that potential to be the next big name out there, but all of that has sort of faded into the dark. Munich sort of topped him off nicely, but then he did The Other Boleyn Girl, which wasn't even close to being "great" and of course the inevitably bad Lucky You. No one saw Romulus, My Father so it doesn't count either. So he would be my answer for right now...but with Star Trek, Funny People and The Astronaut's Wife all out this year, he could really redeem himself.
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2-12-2009 @ 4:30PM
William Goss said...
I think you meant The Time Traveler's Wife, only because The Astronaut's Wife was a POS Johnny Depp/Charlize Theron film from ten years back.
But good call on Bana, especially with Funny People.
2-12-2009 @ 6:53PM
Gray McAdam said...
Oh f*ck...sorry, yes, I DEFINITELY meant The Time Traveler's Wife...haha, that would be a very unnecessary, albeit pretty funny, remake though.
I must've had Joe Morton on the mind...
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2-12-2009 @ 6:53PM
Bski10 said...
I saw Romulus My Father and Eric was very effective.
I have to differ about Russell Crowe - you want him as the perennial "hero" - but he's too good an actor to want to repeat types of roles endlessly. If you've seen 3:10 to Yuma you know that the intensity is still there in his performance. American Gangster was not really his movie - all the power was in the gangster part. Body of Lies is a good spy film - but Russell's role was definitely supporting.
I suspect the big difference in the movie State of Play from the UK version is that it's set in the USA. Of course it's yet to be seen. I know I'm hoping for big things for the forthcoming Nottingham - gotta love men with bows & arrows!
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2-12-2009 @ 6:53PM
Rand Shuler said...
That's ridiculous! Failed to live up to his promise?! Russell Crowe is one of the finest actors working today. Body of Lies is an underrated classic. His work is excellent, and definitely deserves a revisit. American Gangster?! Awesome. And he's coming into his prime. You cynical movie hacks amaze me. How quick you are to forget an actor's body of work and turn your back on them. So quick to judge, with little to no respect. Here's a man who has contributed to some of the best cinema, and you say he's failed to live up to his promise. Just because he doesn't do every little thing you think he should. Boo to you...
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2-12-2009 @ 6:53PM
Brian said...
Seriously?? Body of Lies a underrated classic?? I just watched that movie for the first time yesterday, and it wasn't even a decent film, and the performance by Crowe was just as bad as the part he played, which was an over the top caricature of a Washington bureaucrat.
American Gangster was a very good movie, but that really wasn't because of Crowe's performance. He was a secondary player to Denzel's commanding performance.
Crowe hasn't been good since 3:10 to Yuma and Cinderella Man. Even those didn't live up to the hype that once was Gladiator. He was supposed to be a can't miss star, and now he needs Leo or Denzel to chew up screen time while he takes credit for their work.
2-12-2009 @ 6:54PM
Rand Shuler said...
Well, I'm sorry you didn't get Body of Lies. Not even a decent film?! I've seen it three times, and I get more put of it each time. It's obvious that you and I view films differently, but to say an actor of Crowe's talent and dedication isn't loving up to his potential is insulting and thoughtless...
2-12-2009 @ 6:54PM
Rand Shuler said...
Well, I'm sorry you didn't get Body of Lies. It's a truly compelling and complex story of how we create our own monsters. Not even a decent film?! I don't even understand how you could say that. Paul Blart Mall Cop isn't a decent film. Body of Lies, at the very least, attempts an intelligent and thrilling view of political manuevering and ground level operations. I've seen it three times, and get more out of it each time. That's a classic in my book. It's obvious that you and I view film differently, but to say an actor of Russell Crowe's talent and dedication isn't living up to his potential is insulting and thoughtless...
2-12-2009 @ 9:10PM
Brian said...
Obviously we do, because Body of Lies was well outclassed by Traitor, which was in it's same vein, but had a much more creative script, and a much more intense plot, moved with more determination, and introduced a much more believable character in Cheadle's Samir.
And to say that Crowe has lived up to his potential is greatly understating how his career started. He won an academy award and was nominated for two others, and now he's playing second fiddle to Denzel and Leo.
If he was living up to his potential he would still be getting Academy nominations, but he hasn't had one of those since 2001. He's also no longer able to carry a picture on his own. He's been a supporting cast member in 3 of his last 4 films.
The expectations were much higher for him. The thought was that he would be the next Connery or Newman or Nicholson where when he was on screen he was chewing up scenes. He hasn't really done that.
So I'm disappointed.
2-13-2009 @ 2:54PM
Liz said...
I agree with Rand. Crowe's talent is as striking and outstanding as ever. Perhaps he hasn't chosen the roles some of the critics would have preferred. (whose career is it anyway ?) Cinderella Man IS a very real classic and Crowe was completely and unjustly ignored for it. But you only have to read the Braddock family website to see what thousands upon thousands of ordinary people (gasp, shudder - the horror !!) thought of his performance.
He's going to be around for a long time to come, and may he continue to annoy and perplex hacks unable to think out of the box. And if there is any justice one day he'll have his second Oscar.
(And if you are looking for a REAL disappointment, I nominate de Niro.)
2-12-2009 @ 6:53PM
The Rake said...
This list can grow pretty long, I suspect, but it all depends on the definition of failed expectations and length of time given. While I think Eric Bana may indeed be a good call, one might say Ben Affleck never really fulfilled his status after Good Will Hunting (that being said, he wasnt that significant in that film), Dark Knight aside, Heath Ledger would probably fall into this category too (until his Joker role anyway). I personally don't think Sia LeBeouf is deserving, nor can a guy like Seth Rogen be a lead in a film (he is best suited to role player work). Adrien Grenier never broke out from Entourage. Even Gwynet Paltrow never really got much going after Shakespeare in Love. I think there are many, depending on the definition used.
The Rake
http://thefilmnest.com
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2-12-2009 @ 6:53PM
Peter Hall said...
Scarlett Johannson. Every male film geek's picture perfect promise, only she never really knocked anything out of the park except showing up.
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2-13-2009 @ 9:17AM
satex said...
In NO way is Russell Crowe not living up to his early promise! Do you not remember The Insider, Gladiator, A Beautiful Mind, Master and Commander or Cinderella Man? Now THOSE are great ROLES and Russell completely disappeared in them! You could only see his character not Russell! (Unlike so many actors who are the same no matter what role they are playing!) Since then he’s put out great performances in roles not so challenging and not so focused on HIS character. So, because he’s not out front and center, you think he’s light is fading? You’re completely wrong on that score! Russell chooses movies that tell important stories. It’s the story that are important to him and it always has been. He’s still great and his light will always shine brightly!
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2-12-2009 @ 6:54PM
Mike said...
There are a lot out there. At the moment I can only think of actresses like Nicole Kidman, Renee Zellweger, and Reese Witherspoon.
I'm not really a fan of any of them, but they haven't done anything of note since winning their Oscars. Have any of them even had a bonafide hit since they brought home that little gold guy?
What amazes me more than actors/actresses falling into funks is when once good directors churn out one worthless film after another. I think that would make for a good article/discussion. I'm thinking of guys like Rob Reiner and Barry Levinson, for example.
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2-12-2009 @ 6:54PM
The Rake said...
Loving this topic. Wes Bentley. After American Beauty, what happened to him? For that matter, his co-star Thora Birch in that film. Erika Christensen from Traffic. Loved her in that. Then Swim Fan, then....??? Ummm, Nick Cannon anyone? The list grows....
The Rake
http://thefilmnest.com
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2-12-2009 @ 6:54PM
Layne said...
Halle Berry? She's made some interesting choices since winning her Oscar. Not exactly good ones.
Have to agree with everyone else who's disageeing with you on Russell Crowe. The man never gives less than an outstanding performance. He wouldn't know how!
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2-12-2009 @ 6:54PM
Thomas said...
Harrison Ford. He was my favorite actor growing up but what has he done over the last 14 years? I hope he can pull an Eastwood-style comeback from here on out.
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2-13-2009 @ 11:31AM
j said...
Ok, Mr. Ford. In this scene, you are Papa Smurf. Gargamel has just kidnapped the entire smurf village. You're confronting him, and after a battle to the near-death in a burning castle-like building that smells like fried cat fur, you're about to deliver the final blow to kill Gargamel and save the village. And, action!
"Leave my family alone!"
Cut! That's brilliant, thanks Mr. Ford.
:)
2-12-2009 @ 6:55PM
Chelsea said...
If you want to define "recent" as "the past decade", two names spring to mind: Clare Forlani and Natasha Gregson Wagner. The former went from appearing in heavily hyped indies and prestige-ish films to headlining Lifetime Original Movies, and the latter is missing in action.
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2-13-2009 @ 7:22AM
AnnieW said...
Val Kilmer was the first name to come to me -- but I suppose that's more because I thought he'd end up as more of an actor for his generation. I agree with Ben Affleck -- appreciated him in Dogma and Chasing Amy last.
Throwing my booo in with your take that Crowe hasn't lived up to his promise. OMG. You've really got the bar set pretty high if you're saying an A list actor has not yet proven the goods -- and if I remember correctly, I think I saw an article in the last week or so that he was on Forbes' list of top 20 'most valuable' actors based on return of gross revenue for films.
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