Thoughts We Had... THR's Annual Actress Roundtable Cover
Thursday, November 19, 2015 at 12:45PM We'll have to wait a little while for the full video, which is more fun than the cover but it's always exciting to see THR's roundtable covers nonetheless. Like Vanity Fair's "Hollywood Issue" -- less thrilling than it once was for a myriad of reasons -- it's a tradition that is both great fun for its glamour and personality and highly aggravating for its exclusions and repetitions and limited world view... just like, HEYYYY, the Oscars themselves!
By now you know the drill. First an image. Then the thoughts that come to mind without self-censorhip after the jump...
• So very blonde (we'll get to the 'so white' part later). What would we do without Charlotte Rampling and Carey Mulligan? Thanks for being... uh... non-blonde. Couldn't they find a ginger (*surveys awards season landscape -never mind*) or someone with black hair? There were at least a couple of options for black hair.
• "What would we do without Charlotte Rampling?" is actually an all purpose useful question, removed from the context of this cover and awards season entirely.
• WHERE IS LILY TOMLIN? The fact that they've revealed that they chose this group in September makes her absence especially galling since that was the peak of Grandma's popularity! Paired with the absence of Cate's onscreen love Rooney Mara this is especially heternormative of them. It's like "here are eight beautiful women touching each other - NO HOMO"
• The absence of Alicia Vikander, the year's unquestionable "it" girl, is kind of a shock.
• Brie Larson, scene aka cover stealer. Go Brie. Remember that scene in The Player where Cher shows up to a black and white party in dazzling bright red? That.
• I love Room but this is also justice for (or momentum from) Short Term 12. That said I don't quite buy the "she's going to win the Oscar" feeling that a lot of people have. I'm not there yet. Hope to be but...
• How do you gather eight spectacularly charismatic movie stars, a few of them bonafide legends at that, and make a photo this boring? Try harder THR.
• This alternate photo is slightly better just because there's more angles / poses. And Helen Mirren & Carey Mulligan's ensembles pop in a much more major way. Red heels for Dame Helen, that minx.
• It's weird that Dame Helen was included. TBH I thought she was phoning that shit in in Woman in Gold. Yikes. But maybe they included her for Trumbo, sight unseen?
• How weird would it have been to be the director of this shoot? "Kate, cuddle with Fonda a bit. Ms Fonda, drape your manicured fingers on Brie's jacket. Winslet's knee compels you -- TOUCH IT, CATE, TOUCH IT!"
• Bet you anything they had to explain to Jennifer Lawrence who Charlotte Rampling is. Oh the humanity. (Sigh)
• Have none of these women ever worked together? I'm drawing a blank if they have. Actresses don't get to work together enough since films are so male-dominant.
• OK, so the elephant in the room. Everyone's mad that this is an all white cover. THR anticipated the outrage and published this explanation. As every loyal reader knows TFE has championed many actresses of color over the years and we wish the movies were diverse. But I gotta tell you... personally, I'm sick of the messenger being shot with the public outrage each awards season. It's neither THR's fault nor The Academy's fault that actors of color aren't getting the kind of roles that generally result in Oscar buzz. It's a systemic problem in the halls of power in Hollywood, with the executives, directors, suits, producers, casting directors, agencies, and even possibly some of the stars (who have co-star approval) and so on. In fact, when actors of color get the quality roles in Oscar-accessible pictures, they tend to get nominated.
For example, I know some people are griping that Kitana Kiki Rodriguez & Mya Taylor of Tangerine weren't featured. And yes they are great great fun in Tangerine... but let's be real. They are not A listers, legends, former nominees/winners, or frontrunning contenders and you usually have to be at least one of those four things to land covers like this. Do we wish these covers would be scrappier and less A-list focused in their choices? Sure. But at least they're consistent. Oprah, Viola, Octavia fit into at least one of those categories and they were on the panels in their years. This situation is much different than the Vanity Fair Hollywood issue situations of yore where actors of color would be excluded for no particular reason (since it wasn't specifically about any type of thing like "Oscar buzz") or hidden on the back fold of the cover.
Thus we propose a scrappier indie buzz cover. If only TFE were a print magazine.
Our cover would look like this. (Fold out, natch) It would sell 10 copies max but who cares! Think of the conversation that would erupt in a room with these women. And Yes, Todd Haynes also gets to be there because a room of actresses talking deserves a genius actressexual as moderator.
Reader Comments (99)
Team Charlotte Rampling!
I agree about the outrage, Nathaniel. A lot of it is misinformed as well. I saw so much "Was Angela Bassett busy? Was Viola or Taraji busy?" clearly indicating a lack of understanding about what the Roundtable is for--talking about performances in the Oscar conversation in this year.
I think Spike Lee's Honorary Oscar Speech (can we PLEASE move those back to the telecast) got more to the point than 98% of the outrage about THR cover. Changes to magazine covers about the industry come when changes to the architecture of the industry. This comes with diversity among executives, diversity among casting directors and diversity among gatekeepers in general.
Unrelated, I'm loving Brie Larson this season and not just for her amazing performance in Room. More and more, I'm thinking she's the one to beat.
Hear me out, but I'm grateful no women of color are vying for a nomination this year. I take actresses of color being Oscar contenders very seriously and the reality is they are for all intents and purposes one shot deals. Hence if they have no arguable chance of winning I'm not sure their absence warrants the outrage.
Why do you think none of the acting races are sewn up by this point? Usually there's at least 2 categories that are locked and ready to go. (I'm not complaining, just speculating about the oddity.) Maybe it will become much clearer when prizes are actually being handed out, but I hope it stays this up in the air up until Oscar night.
I agree about the outrage and THR have been good with the round tables in general. Just this year alone the TV panels included Viola, Taraji, Gina Rodriguez and Tracee Ellis Ross. And my guess is that at least Sam Jackson, Will Smith or Idris Elba will show up on the men's film one.
I am not mad at the outrage in general because the more the issue is discussed the more awareness to the issue the general public has. But 'who to blame' is very misguided in this particular instance.
For me the THR roundtable is a glass half full/empty sort of situation. There are always faces I'm pleased to see make it, (Mulligan, Winslet, Rampling, Larson). Then the repeats (Blanchett, Lawrence) which you can't argue with. Then the WHY? choices such as Fonda/Mirren over Tomlin that speak of star power over indie favourite.
I have said on this blog that the main problem with this annual gabfest is that the questions are insipid and the format is kind of plodding. Last years Variety series with actors and actresses interviewing each other was way more interesting and lively.
The saving grace of this series has always been the over 40's actress (Annette Benning, Helena Bonham Carter, Emma Thompson) who was willing to be a little more honest than safe, and who have frankly challenged the questions.
So I'm hopeful that Mirren, Winslet, Fonda, and Rampling will shake that plodding interviewer up a bit. We can only hope.
Also disappointing: some of these are returning to the roundtable. The returning ones are never as fun (Hilary Swank, Amy Adams). Why not give someone like Tomlin or Vikander that could bring up points we maybe haven't heard from them before? The article also starts out thinking we'd assume that they'd be catty to one another, which is *eyeroll*
I live for this roundtable, but can we please get a new moderator who actually knows these women, their careers, and their films? And ask real questions and foster more candid discussions than the usual "When did you first want to be an actress?" Who cares? We've seen those questions asked and answered a hundred times before. I'm more interested in seeing them talk to one another without those boring, abstracted conversations. The best moments are always random stories about their reactions to films and performances. Moderate it, Nathaniel!
''Bet you anything they had to explain to Jennifer Lawrence who Charlotte Rampling is. Oh the humanity. (Sigh)''
Giving you the side eye for 'calling her out' on this. Even Jane Fonda sounded like she had no idea who Charlotte Rampling was.
Even knowing Amy Adams doesn't have a movie out this year, I was only like...60% sure she wouldn't be in the roundtable.
I guess they are contractually obligated to invite Amy Adams only in those years when she actually has a movie out.
Rami -- I always forget that there even is an actor roundtable.
Helen Mirren has been phoning it in since The Queen. Am I being to negative by saying she hasn't delivered a single remarkable performance since her Oscar?
Mirren I never understood her appeal imo,she's no Smith,Dench,Redgrave,Richardson,Staunton,Rampling,Miles or Jackson.
I've hated these since they started to be edited for television. THR literally packages a segment around each actress, their movie, and cutaways from the photoshoot. Nothing will ever top the Bening-Bonham-Portman-Kidman year—what a natural, challenging, funny and authentic CONVERSATION with no glamor pussing or movie pushing.
I guess Vikander will need to be in 8 films next year to make the THR cut.
MARK: Have you seen Mirren in The Cook, the Thief, His Wife and Her Lover? One of the best movies I've ever seen and she's brilliant in it.
Helen Mirren was at her best in Prime Suspect. Both the Woman in Gold and 100 Foot Journey were dullish movies. I wonder if they put her in for the curmudgeon factor as she always comes off as prickly in interviews.
Wish Jennifer Jason Leigh would have made the cut, and I haven't even seen Hateful Eight. And of course, there's no one from the comedy side, because of course, they wouldn't be nominated for Oscars. Rose Byrne, for example? And poor Lily Tomlin. That stinks.
Also wonder why so many readers of this site hate Hillary Swank. Can't figure it out, because she really is a good actress.
As much as THR is just a messenger, they can also champion off-the-beaten-path performances. They are already trumpeting perceived frontrunners sight unseen, would not it be better for them to promote performances they have seen that may not be immediately considered as a likely frontrunner? They're pleading innocence in the issue, but they can actually help rectify it by going beyond the predictable.
Your cover FTW.
Although I am having a Julianne Nicholson moment after watching her performance in Black Mass a second time last night and enjoying her sauciness during the Q&A: "Johnny Depp thinks I'm pretty!" (in a sing-sing voice, among other great soundbites).
Also wonder why so many readers of this site hate Hillary Swank. Can't figure it out, because she really is a good actress.
Backlash from her second Oscar win.
On the subject of the interviewer for these actress roundtables, this year it is Stephen Galloway who I believe has done it in the past. He is Executive Editor in chief but he needs to set his ego aside and let someone else moderate.
Case in point - Kim Masters did an excellent roundtable with the studio chiefs this month and it deserves more attention. Masters asked interesting and sometimes tough questions which made for a far more interesting discussion
.
1. THR should let Kim Masters do the actresses roundtable or
2. THR should let an Oscar winning actress moderate (ie: Susan Sarandon, Geena Davis, Octavia Spencer, Cher, Emma Thompson, Ellen Burstyn, Shirley Maclaine)
Can you imagine how much more interesting this roundtable would be if they sat down and talked with 2 of their own who they respect and can relax with. Just from the clips you can see Jane Fonda and Cate Blanchett doing a bit of that to make this years table work.
And what's with the heavy black background why don't they shoot this in a garden?
THR gets more of a break than Vanity Fair for me because THR like you've said, invites the Oscar frontrunners. Vanity Fair's Hollywood issues can't use that excuse.
Also, as a black guy, i personally would HATE to be put on an issue like that because i'm black and they need to have diversity rather than through my own effort and acclaim as an actor.
Also can we at least be thankful that Amy Adams isn't there AGAIN this year? She probably didn't make a movie because even she was getting tired of being invited.
"On our most recent directors roundtable, forced to choose among three superb filmmakers for one slot, I opted for Ridley Scott, rather than F. Gary Gray, an African-American. The Martian had opened to exceptional acclaim and box office, and Scott looked like the front runner for the Oscar; still, I now wish I had added Gray to the mix, and regret that I ignored both his lawyer’s and his agents’ pleas to do so."
You know, I can almost understand this, as Scott is pretty legendary and was finally about to hit the public with an actually successful, well-regarded movie. But I wonder who the other directors are and if they really deserve to be there instead of Gray. Maybe it shouldn't have been down to Gray and a legend for the last slot in the first place, as that's forcing Gray into a competition that apparently none of the other white male directors had to face.
I know Jennifer Lawrence isn't the most polished actress in the industry, but why treat her like she is borderline retarded? Why wouldn't she know who Rampling was? She's expressed in interviews before how she's a fan of Gena Rowlands so I would think her admiration of film extends beyond freaking Cameron Diaz or whoever.
@ Aaron
In this roundtable, Jennifer Lawrence pretends she doesn't know what Hamlet is. Feigning simpleness is part of her brand. You can't really fault people for not taking her knowledge or frame of reference seriously.
Aaron -- JLaw has also dissed "old movies" as "boring" or some such so yeah. i don't exactly respect her as a thinker (though i do think she's a great great celebrity) and she's DEFINITELY not a movie buff the way some choice actresses are.
So happy to see Charlotte Rampling there to show her momentum is finally more than just word of mouth but it is a shame that Lily Tomlin is missing.
I'm shocked that Alicia Vikander is missing as well perhaps it was other commitments that prevented her from being there, doubtful but maybe.
The overall composition of the photo is so humdrum. Love the red on Brie Larson and I'm surprised that the others, in particular Jane Fonda who has shown a partiality for vivid colors, would okay such a monotonous palate making them all more or less blend together. Is it suppose to show that they are serious actresses? Who doesn't know that!
As soon as I saw the title I was leery to look at the photo for fear that Amy Adams would once again be there unnecessarily. So relieved that her seeming inevitability in the line up didn't happen, she always seems so sour when she's there and she rarely contributes anything.
joel 6 -- agreed on all counts. as for Amy. I knew she wouldn't be there because she had no movies this year. as much as they love her they've never had an actress who didn't have a project to promote. I'd be fascinated (or maybe revolted) to hear discussions behind the scenes at THR as to how the candidates are chosen since they obviously think Amy Adams is fascinating but the fascination doesn't transfer outside of their offices... and you'd think they'd realize that by now. Again, no diss on her as an actress since she's a very good one but for this type of event you need stars who are also interesting to listen to as themselves.
...another reason why i'm disappointed that Lily Tomlin isn't there.
I am now picturing a roundtable where Cher moderates and Lily Tomlin is sitting next to Jane Fonda cackling at inside jokes and reminiscing about filming 9 to 5.
I have to say this is a pretty fantastic lineup based on the films in the Oscar conversation.Might be the best one they have ever assembled. Agree the glaring omition is Tomlin. Maybe Ronan or Vikander (who's busy shooting Bourne). But when we can all agree on a couple of names missing, it means they did a pretty good job choosing.
"WHERE IS LILY TOMLIN? ... Paired with the absence of Cate's onscreen love Rooney Mara this is especially heternormative of them. It's like "here are eight beautiful women touching each other - NO HOMO"
No kidding. It's interesting that you are pretty much the only person to realize that there's more than one kind of diversity.
Well, Brie Larson was in Tanner Hall with Rooney Mara if that counts....
And Cate Blanchett was in Hanna with Saoirse Ronan
Go CAROL girls!
Considering that The Hollywood Reporter had that explanation ready to go, it'll be interesting to see their reaction if Phylicia Rashad randomly finds herself a Globe or Oscar nominee this cycle, as she seems to be the only African-American actress in the conversation in some capacity.
I have nothing profound to say, only that the Hamlet talk made me laugh out loud.
Count me among the angry about the comment regarding Jennifer Lawrence requiring an explanation for Charlotte Rampling. It's such a patronizing and condescending comment and I'm surprised you posted it and meant it seriously. But hey, she is a great celebrity -- that makes up for her being dumber than a box of rocks and not being a proper cineaste as all actors must and should be, I suppose.
I think I'll retreat from this site for a while. I can't believe I'm as angry about that comment as I am, but that comment, for me, revealed something deeply unpleasant about the bias of the editor in chief of this site.
Sigh. Jennifer Lawrence is not that dumb that Charlotte Rampling has to be explained to her.
How is Hollywood supposed to give actresses respect if we, as actressexuals, don't?
So happy for the inclusion of Charlotte Rampling, but damn, there is a lack of Rampling in that freaking interview.
Agree that this looks boring though. I mean, Vanity Fair's Hollywood Edition always looks like DRAMA, especially that one with Sophia Loren, Vanessa Redgrave and Catherine Deneuve!
@John T. - I refuse to think that Creed is an Oscar contender. No disrespect to Phylicia Rashad.
Y'know, Lawrence fantatics:
I like to think it'd be *enough* if one of my favorite actresses had an Oscar, $20 million paychecks, and her pick of all the roles in Hollywood. Not to mention massive popularity and no signs of slowing down, anytime soon.
It's never happened, so I'll let you know. But good lord, if I'm still playing defense the day Anne Hathaway becomes the biggest star on the planet, just shoot me.
What more do we owe Jennifer Lawrence than what she already has? Are writers now required to commend her boundless intellect and curiosity?
Disappointed in you Nat. There's no need to be condescending.
Of course we, Lawrence fanatics, are simpleton compared to you intellectuals.
That cover could not be whiter
THRILLED that Rampling is there but yes I wish she got more chances to talk. Also, though you wouldn't know it from this, Jane Fonda and her have been friendly for years so Fonda definitely knows about her career. ;-)
" Bet you anything they had to explain to Jennifer Lawrence who Charlotte Rampling is. Oh the humanity. (Sigh)"
Im afraid I have to join the chorus Nat. I know you meant no harm but that line felt a bit patronizing. I'm the last person anyone would call a JLaw fanboy but even I am willing to belive that even if she was unaware of Charlotte she might have later on post interview, taken an interest in discovering 45 YEARS or other CR movies.
PS: wished Lily was there also. Same applies to Rooney.
All this is doing is reminding me of Emanuelle Riva...
Definitely agreed about the race issue. The article that THR posted, however, leaves its most interesting bit to the end when it discusses the upcoming director's roundtable. While, obviously, Ridley Scott is more in contention than F. Gary Gray, it's curious that if you took race out of the equation it would seem like Gray ought to have the upper hand. If you asked people "which film has the better chance with Oscar... a musical biopic or a science fiction comedy?" It's only when race does enter the equation that the idea of THE MARTIAN somehow becoming an Oscar frontrunner while STRAIGHT OUTTA COMPTON being more or less ignored becomes a "duh!" moment.
Anyway.
I much prefer the second photo, too. The colours pop better. If you're gonna have an all white group of actors, then why are they all dressed up so blandly? For a magazine cover it is awfully bland.
My major takeaway on this is that it shows how much established actresses now have to grovel for a place at the nominations table and, sadly, they eagerly partake in the early publicity game to even have a chance at a nomination. No one has seen Jennifer Lawrence's movie, Joy, and yet she gets on a cover. That is offensive to me. What about the other actresses who have done good work this year and may not be primarily A-list, rich and lily white? And this is purely aesthetic, but Jane Fonda's claw on Brie Larson grosses me out.
Huh? That was about the mildest comment ever directed at Jennifer Lawrence. It's not implying she's dumb, it's implying that she's, well, very young as compared to Charlotte Rampling. Heck, I'm 50ish and have seen Charlotte in several movies and still would probably have to be reminded who she is.
The sensitivity behind Nathaniel's J-Law comment remains me of all the blow back bitching I receive here for dragging popular untouchable white actresses like herself and Streep. Funny how everyone else will feel free to throw jabs at women in film who do not have the agency of these two. Like all the cold remarks made about Nicole Kidman. And Cal Roth's irrational bashing of prime era Glenn Close. Need I remind the complainers about the Chastain haters we have here? The actresses who need protect from shady internet commentators are not the ones at the top but those struggling to maintain the initial heat and prominence they once had. I think I'll pledge myself to not bashing Swank. I hate her second Oscar win. But she's struggling and that means it's unfair to come for her.
I was offered the cover but said no.
All in all, I'd say that's a pretty fabulous collection of actresses.
Didn't think Charlotte Rampling was into this PR fluff at all but good to see her embracing it at least partially. Looking forward to her side-eyes.
I love Mirren as a person and she gives great soundbite so I'll give her a pass here, despite no real work to show this year for her invitation.
The others all make sense in some way.
That Stephen Galloway guy, he's awful. Always abrasive and cutting people off and generally not asking too many interesting questions. It's like he only wants dish on famous directors and gets annoyed when someone doesn't say anything semi-controversial. I love the idea of a former winner/actresses of a certain again grabbing the hosting duties and forming a connection. At the very least, a female film critic. Stacey Wilson is the only other moderator and her presence and questions tend to be more interesting and enjoyable in easing the conversation along, where was she?