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Date Posted: 10:34:10 07/18/14 Fri
Author: mkim
Subject: Asking your opinion about something.....
Do you think an actor or actress should stick with a certain "type" during their careers, or is it best to go for a variety of roles?
Can you name actors who have been successful at one type
Actors who can seemingly choose whatever type they want and the public loves them?
Why do you think it's a good or bad idea?
AND can it be that an actor must be established for a certain amount of time to be successful at this?
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It depends on whether the actor wants to be an actor or a star. Both crave audience approval, but "stars" will feel like failures if they are not getting the adulation, notariety, and top dollar. In theatre there is a saying: There are no small roles, only small actors." (Inside) -- Cece, 14:56:24 07/18/14 Fri [1]
Some actors just do well in certain type roles. It's tough if you are a bruiser with a crooked nose and a "Joisy" accent, to play an urbane sophisticate, for e.g.
But the actor's actor has got protean qualities, and can take on just about anything within reason.
"Actors" who become stars, almost by accident, tend to be the types who work in the field for life, taking on a variety of roles in different degrees of importance.
Colin Firth comes to mind. He's been working continually in film all his working life in all different roles, yet he didn't become internationally known until he played Mr. Darcy in Pride and Prejudice,(1994), and it took him another 15 yrs or so to get an Oscar for The King's Speech.
Other "Actors" who have taken on many different roles over the years: Judy Dench, Maggie Smith, Tom Wilkinson, Juliet Stevenson, Helen Mirren, just for starters.
One example of a Star who played to type, was Meg Ryan. Remember her?
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II saw a program on TCM talking about John Wayne as an actor and his work over his lifetime. He began wanting to do it all, and people whose opinion he valued in the business advised him to stick to what he did best. He didnt like the idea, but he followed the advice and became an icon. I know, times are different, but I wonder. When you think of all the actors there are and how few can really do it all. Meryl Streep is one. I can't say I've loved every movie she's done but it was the movies subject, not the acting. I dont think I have the words for her talent. Its too far over my head! -- mkim, 16:19:34 07/21/14 Mon [1]
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I think it's not a matter of sticking it's a matter of how good an actor you are - Sally Field went from gidget and the flying nun to Places in the heart. Great diversity. Much to my surprise - Michael Keaton went from comedy to batman and pulled it off. who knew- LOL -- chris k, 21:00:18 07/19/14 Sat [1]
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on the other hand - I can't picture Joan Crawford as anything but the bitch- Don't even know if she tried. -- chris k, 21:01:38 07/19/14 Sat [1]
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In Whatever Happened to Baby Jane, JC played the victim, to Bette Davis's mad sister. We didn't find out the truth till the end. That movie still gives me the creeps thinking about it. What great acting from both JC and BD. I guess they were both type cast in a way. -- Cece, 06:15:05 07/20/14 Sun [1]
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Mildred Pierce was a victim of sorts, but she overcame. Its one of my favorites. She did quite a few with Clark Gable that were pretty awesome too. -- mkim, 22:43:09 07/20/14 Sun [1]
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my most surprising recollection of joan was when she danced with fred astaire- it was so hard to see as I was used to the actress she'd become! -- chris k, 09:36:37 07/21/14 Mon [1]
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OMG, she danced with Fred? I had no idea. This I must check out on youtube. -- Cece, 13:43:08 07/22/14 Tue [1]
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I found it! From the movie Dancing Lady. Actually, JC was attractive when she wasn't playing scary women. Her dancing in this scene was pretty basic though. Fred, as always, was wonderful.. -- Cece, 13:48:43 07/22/14 Tue [1]
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That was Fred's very first movie. He was playing himself, because he was already an established and well known stage star at that point. -- JJ Ronda--always full of useless trivia about old movies and actors from days gone by., 21:14:15 07/22/14 Tue [1]
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You and judi would get on then. She's a big old movie buff. -- Cece, 21:25:08 07/22/14 Tue [1]
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Hey Rhonda, maybe we should have a trivia contest on the board. -- judi who loves old movies, 21:28:46 07/22/14 Tue [1]
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That would be fun, but with IMDB.com out there it would be awfully tempting to cheat! lol -- JJ Ronda--TCM is my favorite channel!, 06:18:33 07/23/14 Wed [1]
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I think the number of working actors would prove that this decision is not always something easily decided by the actor. Getting work where you can find it would have to be a major part of the choice in what kind of parts someone takes. Only a few big names get to choose what type of parts they play. And stetching is probably more rewarding in the long run. -- manette, 14:40:40 07/20/14 Sun [1]
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I agree. It must be hard for an actor to play the same part in a play for months on end. They'd have to find ways to make the performance look fresh every day. As for film, many actors enjoy playing bad boy/girl roles because of the stretch. I can't imagine playing some real life evil person. it would be hard to find sympathy inside for your character, without making the character sympathetic to the audience. -- Cece, 16:29:52 07/20/14 Sun [1]
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reply to cece -- Wolfeylady, 12:21:32 07/21/14 Mon [1]
I seem to remember an interview with Olivia De Haviland, who was definitely the "good " girl in Gone With the Wind. She thought it was harder to play a good girl - I guess she thought it was harder to stay in character.
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Yes I see your point. I imagine playing either role would be less fulfilling if it is "cartoonish" as opposed to subtle. I've just been reading up on Olivia. Apparently, she wanted the role of Melanie, not Scarlett. (inside) -- Cece, 14:09:20 07/22/14 Tue [1]
I found Melanie and Ashley, tiresome characters. Melanie was stronger than she appeared and Ashley was weak. I couldn't understand why Scarlett wanted Ashley instead of Rhett. I mean...COME ON! That scene when Rhet picks her up and rushes up that long curved staircase, is epic.
Did you know that Olivia is 98? I always thought that her name and Joan Fontaine's name were made up Hollywood names. However, de Havilland is the real name of their father, and Joan changed her name from de Havilland to their mother's maiden name, Fontaine. Who knew?
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Olivia De Haviland, in her movie, "The Heiress" She changes from an extremly quiet kind good girl to someone else entirely about midway through the movie. I've watched it almost every time I can catch it on TCM.. -- mkim It is a movie worth seeing, 16:26:43 07/21/14 Mon [1]
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How bout James Garner who just passed away. 1 of my favs. He could play comedy or even a comedy western & a drama as well, I always thought he was a very handsome man. Loved him in Murphys Romance w/Sally Field. -- Jagcharmed2, 16:14:47 07/21/14 Mon [1]
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I loved James Garner. I loved his characters. I even loved him in the commercials he did with Marietta Hartley. Such a nice guy. -- Cece, 16:49:02 07/22/14 Tue [1]
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I loved him too. Such a versatile actor. And so handsome. He had one of the most beautiful smiles in Hollywood. I love that he was married to his first and only wife for over 50 years, until his death a couple of days ago. You certainly don't see that much anymore in Hollywood. -- JJ Ronda, 21:19:47 07/22/14 Tue [1]
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I was sad to hear of his death. What a lovely man he was. My favorite part of his was King Marshon (sp?) in Victor Vicotria -- judi, 21:27:37 07/22/14 Tue [1]
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I was thinking Hugh Jackman. He has played a myriad of characters, from Wolverine to Jean ValJean, does Broadway, sings/dances with amazing talent, Audiences love him. I think he still has many roles left. Another one is Johnny Depp. That guy can morph into anything! And he's certainly well-loved. Nicole Kidman has done many many characters, but she is not as well-liked as she should be. -- The Chief, 00:04:27 07/23/14 Wed [1]
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I was wondering if I liked Nicole Kidman, then I checked IMDB and I've never actually seen any of her movies! How can that be? Do you recomment any in particular, Chief. I like Virginia Woolf so maybe I'd like the Hours. -- Cece, 12:04:23 07/23/14 Wed [1]
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Well, I've not seen MANY of her movies, and she does a lot of Indie stuff now so there aren't many I *want* to see. But I'll give you a few ideas, Inside... -- The Chief, 22:53:28 07/23/14 Wed [1]
My first choice would be "Moulin Rouge". It's a little quirky, but it's captivating! Amazing music, dancing, and some pretty good singing by Nicole and Ewan MacGregor. "The Greatest Thing you'll ever learn is just to love and be loved in return."
My second choice would be "Australia" because Hugh Jackman plays opposite her and they are dynamite together. Hugh really shines. It's LONG, and could almost be two movies, but it's worth the time for the lovely scenery, the WW2 era setting, a captivating little boy, and Hugh's "outback shower". ;-) Basically, the movie is Baz Lurhman's "love letter" to Australia, and it's epic, if not perfect.
She is cute in "Bewitched" with Will Farrell. You may also like her in "Practical Magic" with Sandra Bullock. She's also pretty good in "Stepford Wives" with Matthew Broderick. All of those more lighthearted fare.
"Cold Mountain" would be a good one, and even tho I haven't yet watched it myself, it's a good historical movie.
I really liked "The Interpreter" with Sean Penn. Sort of an "international intrigue" movie based at the U.N.
She's received rave reviews for "Rabbit Hole" and "Paperboy", altho those are not the kind of movies I'd choose to watch myself.
She really is the kind of actress that's able to morph into her character to the point that you forget who she is in real life. And now that her personal/family life is so stable and happy, she's able to pick and choose what she wants to do, and she's chosen a few wild ones!
Let me know what you end up watching and how you like them!
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I loved the movie Australia! To me it was kind of a throwback to those big epics they used to make and sadly don't make anymore. The music and scenery were captivating. And I'm referring to the landscape scenery, not Hugh's shower, although that was pretty captivating, too! LOL -- JJ Ronda--I never could figure out why it didn't do well at the box office., 06:19:23 07/24/14 Thu [1]
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i loved that movie!! -- mkim, 13:18:02 07/24/14 Thu [1]
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Thank you Chief and Kim. I'll check Netflix. I'm sure some of the movies you mentioned will be there. -- Cece, 14:58:45 07/24/14 Thu [1]
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I meant to thank JJ too. -- Cece, 14:59:41 07/24/14 Thu [1]
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If you have NetFlix, these are the movies of hers that are available there (INSIDE): -- The Chief, 17:48:52 07/25/14 Fri [1]
Not in any particular order:
The Hours
The Peacemaker
Cold Mountain
Far And Away
Days of Thunder (Met T.Cruise in this one)
The Paperboy
Human Stain
BMX Bandits (Australian film, she was still a teen in Oz)
The Stepford Wives
Trespass
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