Q&A: Australian Greats, Leading Men, and Camera Muses
Wednesday, March 16, 2016 at 10:34PM It's time for reader questions. Here are 10 recently asked I'm opting to answer tonight. Join the conversation in the comments.
INQUIRER: Who do you believe is more worthy of an acting Oscar between Brad Pitt, Tom Cruise, and Johnny Depp, and who do you think is more likely to win one?
This would surprise anyone unfamiliar with the site but Brad Pitt towers over the other two. He's among my all time favorite movie stars. But you've crafted a tricky question because all three men have loyal camps that they've earned. Cruise is the most consistent, always laser focused on Doing His Job in whichever movie. Depp is the most inspired when he's inspired but he's also the laziest. It seems impossible to imagine now but people did not want him to play Pirates like he played it. The studio was concerned. What is he doing? Now people hire him to for Depp shtick and that's what he gives to the point of self parody! Pitt is the most uneven actor among the three but he's also the most endearing, has the best taste, has aged superbly with his talent, and has evolved the most. Years ago I felt certain that all three would eventually be crowned but it's hard to picture now. If any one of them does a moving hit drama when he's an old codger though perhaps he'll get a career achievement prize. If none of them ever win competitively I'd wager that Brad Pitt is the most likely to get an Honorary Oscar.
This might be as good a time as any to tell you (warn you?) that April will be ACTOR MONTH here at the blog. We talk about actresses so much that it's time for a wee curveball. Any requests?
TABITHA: Why do female movie stars now largely seem to be in their 20's or 60's? There seems to be a resistance to embrace middle-aged stars (apart from Sandra Bullock or Charlize Theron).
I blame this phenomenon entirely on sexism and the patriarchy. It's intrinsically tied to the "Last F***able Day" phenomenon that Amy Schumer named so brilliantly. I think once an actress has passed that threshold of straight men being "ewww she's AGING -- how dare she?" and is now just an older person, who for better or for worse are often desexualized in art, it's easier for people to just enjoy their acting again. That's my 100% correct theory. It's also harder for female stars to age because a huge percentage of them are famous in part because of exceptional beauty which is not necessarily true (certainly not percentage wise!) with their male counterparts.
KEVIN: if you put Meryl on a strict diet of auteurs, who would you pair her with for her next 3 films?
Let's begin by reteaming her with Spike Jonze since Adaptation is one of her more daring and atypical performances. To keep her on her toes I'd definitely pair her with a true artist maverick with a lack of preciousness about Great Actors so let's say Steve McQueen (also because I find this so impossible to imagine). And while I know it's cruel to suggest that anyone work with David O. Russell, I'd love to see her put through his ringer because Streep too often directs herself. Plus his movies are very well acted -- all the actors have to truly fight for dominance rather than having the movie handed to them -- and she's great at comedy.
PEDRO: How do you know that a movie's editing is good? Do you ever think of what is left in the cutting room floor of a movie?
I do but since that's so unknowable mostly I think about what's left on screen, the pacing of the movie as a whole as well as the rhythms of the scenes which are determined by not just the acting but the punctuation (which I would argue is what the editing can be) and the moments where cutting from one image to the next is thrilling for the juxtaposition.
DAN: Bradford Young just finished capturing Michelle Pfeiffer on film in "Beat-Up Little Seagull". Can you remember the first film that left you mesmerized by the combination of an actress's image, and how the cinematographer brought her to light?
This moment changed my life."This was just a moment in the woods.. Our moment. Shimmering and lovely and sad."I heart Bradford Young so hard but that's not what this question is about.
Funny you should mention La Pfeiffer. My answer is Ladyhawke (1985). Cinematography by Vittorio Storaro. It took me awhile as a baby movie nerd to understand that so much of an actors appeal is the combo of their innate gifts and the artists behind the scenes who understand / amplify / challenge / complicate those gifts. But around 1985 I started thinking of these things and it was actually the first time I ever paid attention to cinematography (see also: our recent interview with Ed Lachmann wherein we talk 1985 briefly). I guess you could say that Michelle Pfeiffer was my gateway drug to cinematographers (if not to costume designers and other crafts) because by the time Tequila Sunrise (1988) and Fabulous Baker Boys (1989) hit, I was watching the credits to see who shot her. It was Conrad L Hall and Michael Ballhaus, respectively, and they were both Oscar nominated for doing so.
P.S. Ballhaus was ROBBED at the Oscars. Where is his Honorary Oscar, damnit ?!?!?
JEFF: You've spoken in the past about your dislike for narration in movies, a view with which I normally agree. That being said, do any movies come to mind in which you thought the narration was actually an asset to the film?
Allow me to clarify that I don't think any storytelling device is bad or good, it's just how you use it. And sometimes a device is so overused that I wish to never see it again like the dread "hours earlier" after a shocking opening scene in a tv show. If I never see that again before I die I will think the Showrunner up in Heaven or whoever put the kabosh on it. My issue with narration is that very few filmmakers do it well and it is, for the most part, a device borrowed from stage and literature and not in its essence cinematic. Every once in awhile someone does it well though. I remember Drug Store Cowboy's being effective. And I l-o-v-e Alec Baldwin's narration of The Royal Tenenbaums which Michael once praised incisively right here.
FOREVER1267: Who was your favorite among Charlie's Angels?
I was a "Kelly" man even though outside of the confines of that show I have no feelings about Charlie's pet angel Jaclyn Smith. But if you mean the movies I was in ditzy Cameron Diaz's corner.
P.S. please everyone read the recent surprise Charlie's Angels post. I worked hard on it and I think it's fun.
BAM BAM: Where is streaming and virtual reality taking the movies? Will actors and movie stars become increasingly less important or unique as entertainment becomes designed for the quick buck and/or presentation on various platforms/gadgets?
I'm not sure I understand the question or perhaps it's a lot of interconnected questions. People have been saying the movies and movie stars are over for as long as I've been alive but they somehow survive. But as for virtual reality this makes me think of games and I have to admit I think the videogame industry has already ruined one genre of movie (the action genre) because so often movies don't even try to disguise that they're planning their video game tie ins during storyboarding and screenwriting, Gods of Egypt being the most hilariously shameless recent example. There is not a movie on this planet I am less interested in seeing than Hardcore Henry which appears to be a feature length movie about watching someone else play a video game which is the most boring thing to do in real life and doing it in the cinema won't make it any less so.
EZ: What is your favourite Australian film?
Hmmm. Define Australian film. I'll have to answer this question as "favorite Australian film outside of the filmographies of Baz Luhrmann and George Miller...and Jane Campion if you're counting New Zealand co-productions" because otherwise it'd be all too weighted in their favor.
Hugo Weaving and Russell Crowe in Proof (1991)
Sullivan Stapleton and Jacki Weaver in the great Animal Kingdom (2010)
My seven favorites other than films by those filmmakers are, in reverse chronological order: The Babadook (2014), Animal Kingdom (2010), The Adventures of Priscilla Queen of the Desert (1994), Proof, (1991), Flirting (1990), Careful He Might Hear You (1983), and Picnic at Hanging Rock (1975). And, because I'm not sure why you're asking (for recommendations?), here are a handful more that I think are well worth seeing even if I don't love them as much: Mary and Max (2009), Jindabyne (2006), Japanese Story (2003), Muriel's Wedding (1994), The Sum of Us (1994) and A Cry in the Dark (1988).
CASH: What's your favorite movie to watch on a sick day?
I'm not really big on rewatching movies outside of the movie theater. But since this question keeps being asked I will assume everyone watches movies on their sick days? But if I turn on the TV at all I tend to empty the DVR but occassionally only a musical will do. Anything Gene Kelly or Judy Garland will do.
So that's my answers this week kids. I'd love to hear your take on some of these questions too. Particularly your favorite Australian film, the first time you noticed how a cinematographer was shooting an actor, and whether you think Cruise, Pitt or Depp will ever win a competitive acting Oscar -- there definitely doesn't seem to be any sustained "overdue" fervor for them like there has been for DiCaprio for years.
Reader Comments (55)
Very enjoyable. I agree about BP. The other two are not evolving.
As for male gaze, you can do something on who you think are the best two to three actors at the moment, just to get some more male interest going. The Atonement post made me think of McAvoy, who is so talented and is up to a great role. Also, best early male star looks like porn shots, like early Chris Evans.
I also like the Meryl pairings, but honestly does anyone need to go in the ring with David O. Russell? Directing is not sanctioned torture.
Finally, one would hope virtual reality would maintain actors, but maybe only in the beginning to help humans transition. It's coming quickly.
I agree with you on Pitt. Not the most naturally talented of the 3 but has been the most consistent and likeable and has easily the best filmography of the 3 IMO. I don't know if he wins an Oscar for acting in the end but if he keeps up his work as a producer (and keeps getting nominated as one), it'll certainly help his case for an Honorary Oscar. I wonder if he becomes the most nominated actor turned producer. He's one nomination behind Beatty and two behind Eastwood. At the rate and the consistency of quality that he's producing stuff, it seems likely.
YES @ Flirting. I saw it and Year My Voice Broke for the first time recently and now I'm sad about the third entry in that trilogy never happening.
I think Depp has or had he most talent of the three but he's squandered it at this point and sadly I don't see him ever recovering. Cruise seems content being an action star. Pitt is definitely the most likely to win an acting Oscar because he actually tries compared to the other two.
I agree with you Nathaniel about Adaptation. Her work is so fully human and genuine...and it doesn't come off as as noticeably hammy as a lot of her recent work. Meryl needs to work with a strong director who doesn't mind reeling her in a bit (I also get the sense that she's been directing herself for a while). I adore Meryl and always hope for the best, but I'm a waiting for her to genuinely surprise me again with a performance like that one.
Cruise had the best past performance of the 3 in Magnolia, but I think Depp stands the best chance in the future with some part-taking adjustment. As for Aussie films I like a little movie called Alexandra's Project, and of course Animal Kingdom.
Greatest Australian film is Wake in Fright as it tackles all the problems of the country in the most well written, directed, and well paced way.
Thanks for answering my question Nathaniel :) I asked because I listened to one of your old podcasts over the weekend and in it you said that you were scared of Kangaroos. So this naturally got me thinking "I wonder why Nathaniel is scared of Kangaroos? Was there a a bad childhood experience of some sort? I wonder which Aussie films Nathaniel likes the most?" :)
We count Jane Campion as Australian based upon the quality of her output. If she's firing on all cylinders, she's ours. If she misfires, she's a New Zealander. Same with Russell. If he's throwing phones at people, he's a New Zealander. If he's winning an Oscar, he's Australian.
I wholeheartedly endorse your Aussie recommendations, particularly Animal Kingdom, Priscilla and Jindabyne. I'll add Dogs in Space, Two Hands, Chopper, The Dish and Breaker Morant to the list.
I'd actually like to see Meryl get away from ACTING! and try something more low-key. Perhaps with Kelly Reichardt or the Dardennes.
Meryl with Woody Allen, Pedro Almodovar and Paul Thomas Anderson.
Depp tried to act and the Academy rejected him. He and Downey are going through motions for money. There is a certain soulless personae?
I totally will support man month.
Streep credits Kaufman with her work in Adaptation since she was not allowed to explore her own impulses for the performance from his insistence.
The sexism theory is interesting. I do believe men are accepted at all ages but a woman in her 40's is somehow scary and unappreciated. No one tells Bradley Cooper to pack it in despite several flops in a row.
@Watt Finnegan Depp did not do Black Mass for the Academy, and he still got critical acclaim, SAG and Critics' Choice noms out of it. Oscar nod or not, it's an incredible performance.
Favorite australian film: muriel's wedding ( excluding baz, miller and campion)
A forgotten Australian film on these lists is "Lantana". Truly incredible and unforgettable.
I can't even go on reading after the Brad Pitt picture because I remember I had those photos saved on my computer as a high school senior. Better than porn. My friend and I were in a Mass Media class where we could do a project on everything and we chose Brad Pitt.
Okay, now I promise I'll read the questions and answers.
CLUE is my sick day movie.
I agree about Pitt. Many friends are perplexed when I defend him, but when he's good, he's usually brilliant.
Of the three, Depp is my least favourite. I adore him in Ed Wood, and that's about it. I believe he is the most likely to win a competitive Oscar. There is a widespread opinion amongst non-film buffs for him being this great actor. I can easily foresee him establishing a mainstream Leonardo DiCaprio-esque overdue momentum.
The narration and voice-over by Roscoe Lee Browne and Anna Farris respectively in Greg Araki's Smiley Face are both genius.
FWIW, Jane Campion studied film in Australia and many of her works are, at least, partially funded by local funding bodies. Her films can typically be credited Australian, even if she herself cannot. Great choices all-round, however, for favourite Aussie films includes most of my all time favourites.
I've watched some virtual reality shorts and they can be very fun. One, called MADELINE, was a horror short set inside an insane asylum and the body of the body movies around and appears in new hiding places as your swivel in your chair (or spin as you stand) to navigate the room. It was deliriously fun and I jumped quite a few times.
I loved the narration in Goodfellas and Little Children.
Philip Seymour Hoffman for actors month please.
I've always thought Tom Cruise was underrated as an actor but it seems now he's content with just being an action star so we won't be seeing him in something more understated. I haven't been interested in a Johnny Depp performance in years and that's including Black Mass; far too one note in the movie. I agree with you that Brad Pitt has the best taste out of all of them and will end up aging the best into "old man" roles. I wish there was more love for his performance in The Tree of Life, which I think is his best performance.
I can't go past Muriel's Wedding as my favourite australian film, but I love High Tide with Judy Davis & Claudia Karvan. Something about life in small australian beach town in the 80s that resonates.
Johnny Depp is superior to Tom Cruise and Brad Pitt. His performance in Black Mass is one of the best performances of 2015.
The question re the three leading men is a good one. I think they've all deserved an Oscar for several of their performances. I'm particularly fond of Pitt in supporting roles; he's good in serious drama (Tree of Life, Fury), but has great comic timing (Oceans, Basterds). Cruise is a Movie Star, his performances never fail to entertain me. And Depp is an artist; how else can you explain a career that includes performances in Gilbert Grape, Benny and Joon, Donnie Brasco, Chocolat, Pirates, and Black Mass? Depp is my pick.
Australian films: Walkabout, Gallipoli, Priscilla, in no particular order,
Great Q&A.
I think Brad has the best chance at the prize since he pursues the most challenging projects of the three and he works at his characterizations. Depp is such, or is perceived as, a paycheck actor now.
Looking forward to Actor Month. Would love to see some looking back at great actors of the past, performers such as John Garfield, Richard Widmark, Robert Ryan, Alan Bates and Jack Carson, that don't get the ink they deserve nowadays. I love Cary Grant and Humphrey Bogart but sometimes it seems as if they were the only classic male stars around for all the attention paid to the many other stars of the period.
LOVE that you mentioned Proof, a wonderful underknown movie. I'm also a big fan of The Sum of Us and Picnic at Hanging Rock.
I vote for Viggo for actor month
Cool answers. Given their obsession with him and his "unique" talents, I think it's actually Depp that has the best chance at an honorary Oscar, although he's the least deserving of the 3. I revisited Animal Kingdom last month. That movie is truly a wine that gets better with age. I can't believe an American studio hasn't tried to remake it yet.
Pitt is my favourite of the three, definitely underrated as an actor. But I still think all 3 have it in them to win a competitive acting oscar for the right role/narrative.
...and talking of which, noticing how a cinematographer shooting an actor; John Toll shooting Brad Pitt in Legends of the Fall. Good God!!! I still... can't... even....
So many favourite Aussie films, I don't even know how to chose; The Proposition, Snowtown, Animal Kingdom, Picnic at Hanging Rock, Chopper, Dead Calm, The Dish, The Castle, Muriel, Priscilla, Babe...
... or John Toll again, shooting Kate Hudson in Almost Famous... "what kind of beer?"
I can see all three of the actors in Question 1 getting Oscars in the future.
I could see Cruise winning an Honorary Oscar down the road for career achievement. He's been a major star for 30 years now in films that are, for the most part, of a high calibre. He's proven himself to be a really strong actor at times in the past, but lately he's gotten locked into action films that won't earn him much respect for acting. He needs another Magnolia.
Pitt has a Hersholt Humanitarian award coming at him at some point. It would be well deserved. He also seems to have a great eye for diverse and quality projects as a producer, so it's conceivable he could earn an Oscar or two that way. Some of his acting choices have been questionable in recent years, but when he's "on" he's very good, so the right role at the right time combined with the good will he has in the community could lead to an acting Oscar.
Depp has the most potential as an actor of the three of them, and the right role in a great film could get him an Oscar. He was very good in Black Mass, but the film wasn't good enough to merit consideration. Plus, how much did the makeup and the change to his appearance influence the perception of his performance? The big question is can he come out from behind all the makeup and prosthetics and still deliver? He's done it successfully in the past, and you have to think the Academy would love to reward him if he can do it again in the future.
As for Australian films, I'd add Gallipoli. What a great film from a time when Mel Gibson seemed to have a real future before Hollywood choices began to limit him and we hadn't yet seen the darkness inside the man. What a disappointment and waste of talent.
As for cinematographer's work, with creating actress's images in our past, I'd sight Nicholas Roeg's photography on "Petullia" with the legendary Christie. He had previously shot her on , "Doctor Zhivago", and "Far from the Madding Crowd", but those films are so staid in their artfulness. In "Petulia" , in her mini dresses, modern make-up and hair, Roeg captured the freedom and capriciousness of Julie in breathtaking beauty. I was madly in love.
"Can you remember the first film that left you mesmerized by the combination of an actress's image, and how the cinematographer brought her to light?"
Vittorio Storaro is such a legend. He would be answer to this question too. The way he lit Diane Keaton in 'Reds' was incredible. I don't think she's ever looked so stunning.
Any of those big three could easily win Oscar if given the right role. Easily.
I'm partial to the Australian film "My Brilliant Career." Russell Crowe looks so young in that shot from "Proof." Was he ever really young?!?
I'm with choog on High Tide for Australian film. I haven't seen it in many years and don't even know where you'd find it, but I thought the movie was lovely and Judy Davis was extraordinary.
I'm still pissed that the Internet (or site goblins) ate the long comment about this & that I posted yesterday, so here's just a short request list for Actors Month: John Ireland, John Cazale and Joaquin Phoenix.
Rich -- I'm with you 100% on Lantana. Not only this hugely unexpected, fierce central performance from Anthony LaPaglia, but also one of Barbara Hershey's finest and Kerry Armstrong on fascinating form as the betrayed wife trying to prove something. Does Cate Shortland's Lore count?
On Meryl, given that some of my favourite recent performances of hers have been in 'smaller' (for want of a better word) films, maybe a director who's good at drawing out significance from small moments, like Andrew Haigh, Richard Linklater, or James Ponsoldt. On the flip side, imagine what Xavier Dolan could do with her.
Shoot, I'm mad that the two Australian movies that came to my mind have already been mentioned. I know I'm showing my age but I remember being knocked out by My Brilliant Career. Well really, knocked out by Judy Davis. The whole thing at the time felt so brave and different and un-American.
And I thought Gallipoli was the defining story of male friendship for me, just the way that Julia was the story of female friendship I most admired. How far are you willing to go for your friend? Will you lay down your life? Shivers.
And I don't know if Oscar & Lucinda is Australian, and honestly I almost hated it, but it really sticks in my mind because I thought at the time that the leading actress, who I had never seen, was either the worst actress ever, or the greatest. I think now we know. :-)
PS is it my imagination or did The Man From Snowy River play at a theater in Provo for years?! Seriously, like three or four years.
Oh, and I was a Kelly girl myself too. Years later, circa 2005, I was in a Restoration Hardware and saw from behind the most arresting woman - poured into tight jeans, amazing hair. I had to see who it was so I moved around to see her face. My first thought was it was the most beautiful woman I'd ever seen, my second thought was she was around 35, my third thought was holy moly, it was Jaclyn Smith. How could she look like that at her age? Her beauty team should win an Oscar.
So many great Aussie films - Head On, Little Fish, Walking on Water, Radiance, The Sapphires pop into my mind alongside all the great ones already mentioned.
The Goddess of 1967, Love & other catastrophes.... I miss living in aus!
Best Australian films I can remember: Picnic at Hanging Rock, A Cry in the Dark, Gallipoli.
I would love to see Meryl work with Spielberg, Scorsese and Streisand. Maybe they are not auteurs, but potential collaborations by them with her would be really interesting.
No to Tom Cruise ever winning an Oscar. $cientology is dangerous and he has given them millions. My two cents.
Meryl needs to work with Wes Anderson again. Not just voice work.
That Adaptation was only nominated for 4 Oscar (3 acting and 1 for the script-all derserving of course) is a crying shame.
I though can't blame her at all taking all these larger than life characters, most of them like FFJ are fun, but also has time to make something like Hope Springs, which is terribly underrated. She was wonderful there. TLJ was too.
Not to forget how proud I still am of her to given the Golden Bear to the film with a very important issue.
I know it wasn't for acting, but let's not forget that Brad has an Oscar for producing 12 Years a Slave.
Y Tu Mamá También have the best narration of all time, hands down...
"Why do female movie stars now largely seem to be in their 20's or 60's? There seems to be a resistance to embrace middle-aged stars (apart from Sandra Bullock or Charlize Theron)."
I was just thinking about something similar. There are a lot of good 30 something actresses but none are unquestionably A-list or get consistent lead roles.
Oh! Dogville for narration, too!
@Bruno - omg, I saw Alexandra's Project over 10 years ago and it still feels so fresh and so brutal.
For Actor's Month, I'm sure I'll think of better suggestions, but what about John Goodman? He seems strangely divisive, he's either been very close or not close at all (depending on who you ask) for a handful of Supporting Actor nominations, and why hasn't he had one role in all his filmography as good and fun as his work on Roseanne? (I could ask the same about the brilliant Laurie Metcalf, but we're focusing on actors here.)
Also, not to be all Jerry Seinfeld about it, but what is up with Jake Gyllenhaal? His projects are wildly inconsistent, his performances are also divisive (some see brilliance, others see technical experiments) but he's really trying to stretch as an actor (theater, musicals, etc.). Also, how did the push late in the year for Southpaw not get him an Actor nom in such a weak Best Actor year?
@ Rich - I can't believe I forgot 'Lantana'! What a film.
I also forgot 'The Interview' starring Hugo Weaving. It lingered in my brain for weeks after I saw it.
I think Cruise, Depp, and Pitt all have enough respect and goodwill (Cruise maybe a little less so due to some elements of his personal life) that it would just be a matter of finding the right role in the right movie for any of them to win an Oscar. I think Brad Pitt is the most likely of the three to win, but I certainly don't think it's too late for any of them. Actually, I think Depp might stand a better chance with a juicy supporting role in a prestige drama or indie favorite. For some reason I don’t see him winning in the lead category, just based on his style as an actor.
Actor's Month requests: Dustin Hoffman, Cary Grant, Jimmy Stewart, and Jake Gyllenhaal. For the latter, please hand the reins over to JA from MNPP for some of the glorious gratuitous posts that only he can provide.
Have people forgotten that I was in best picture nominee The Martian, and I am not yet 40? I am A-list, at least in my own mind.