About 2 weeks ago, I noticed ads on television for a new film called Stay. It is obviously a thriller of some kind – the ads showed an increasingly desperate Ryan Gosling (he also probably should be on my list of future Oscar winners – I should do a post about him some day – that kid can ACT) – but there’s Ryan Gosling trying to convince people that his father is dead, but he’s alive, and yadda yadda. At one point, in the ad, there’s a close-up on Ryan Gosling’s eyes – and slowly – the screen image changes – to a close-up of another man’s eyes. They looked vaguely familiar. I thought that maybe they were Peter Sarsgaard’s eyes.
Whatever. No biggie.
A new thriller starring Ryan Gosling. Cool!
Then – about a week ago – the ads changed. Suddenly – we see that it is Ewan feckin’ McGregor’s eyes – and suddenly – in the new ads – Ryan Gosling does NOT appear to be the star – but Ewan McGregor appears to be the star. It wasn’t Peter Sarsgaard’s eyes (however you spell his name – sorry) – it was McGregor’s. I should have known! You could see that little mole that McGregor has on his forehead … Now it is obvious whose eyes it is in that close-up.
ANYHOO. Suddenly, my interest level in this film ratcheted up 100%. Nothing against Ryan Gosling – even though I have thought he was fantastic in pretty much anything he’s in (anyone see Murder by Numbers? Honestly. His performance in that – as a cocky disaffected Columbine-esque high school student – is star-making. Truly. That was my first moment of awareness of Ruan Gosling, and I was blown away) – however: he is not enough of a draw yet to get me to go see a film. He’s still building his career, he’s still a newbie in many ways. Maybe not to the Tiger Beat crowd … perhaps that’s his main demographic at this point? Not sure.
But I just found it interesting how they completely re-cut the ads – after a week of saturating the landscape with the Ryan Gosling version – to make it now seem like a Ewan McGregor vehicle – which is FAR more compelling to me (and probably to many others like me).
I always wonder about that – they are obviously testing the waters – seeing who their audience is, who will be interested in this movie. Okay, so let’s float out the Ryan Gosling version …
I wonder if “support” or “buzz” or “excitement” for that version was tepid … I know it was for me. It looked like a standard thriller to me, starring an up-and-coming Hollywood star – nothing to write home about. But Ewan McGregor? I’ll go see him in anything. I would sit in an ugly flourescent-lit office and watch him read the telephone book outloud. He’s a HUGE star.
But … and here’s my theory … Hollywood doesn’t quiiiiiiite know what it has in Ewan McGregor. This has always been the case – and the fact that “Hollywood” would float out a version of the ad NOT featuring Ewan McGregor is proof of that, to me. I’m trying to imagine the same thing happening to another star of his caliber and visibility – and having a hard time picturing it. Would they ever create a version of an ad for a Johnny Depp movie and NOT feature Johnny Depp? In my view, Ewan McGregor is one of the best actors working today … but “Hollywood”, or the money-making people in Hollywood – don’t trust his level of stardom – don’t quiiiiite trust his appeal. They don’t “get it”. They don’t “get” that there are those of us out here (and I am so not alone) who will go to see Ewan McGregor do anything – in the same way that others will go see Johnny Depp do anything. McGregor has that kind of loyal fan base. But … he’s not easy to pin down, or control … Gosling obviously has a team of people working for him – he’s everywhere – he’s got publicists, a marketing team, a powerful agent … but sorry – you cannot force stardom. It must be developed. It will happen for Gosling, I am sure of it – he’s on that path – but he’s not there yet.
The ads just were not compelling when it looked like a “Gosling vehicle”.
But now – and I’ve read a couple of reviews where it is obvious that the main thrust of the film is actually the journey of the McGregor character – they have switched ploys, and have finally caved in to the obvious fact that McGregor is a ginormous star, and there are those of us out there – NOT the Tiger Beat crowd – who love him, and will go see him do anything.
I still don’t think that McGregor really gets the props he deserves (to quote Eminem there). Yes, he gets millions of dollars per film. Go Ewan! He’s in the Star Wars movies. Blah blah blah
But really? Hollywood is a bit baffled by him. They cannot control him. He became a star without their help … he became a star with Trainspotting … and Hollywood always finds that kind of stardom a weeeeeeee bit baffling – not to mention unforgivable.
FWIW, I kind of like actors that are still new and fresh and before they become “a draw”. Dakota Fanning in Man on Fire, Reese Witherspoon in Man on the Moon, John Malkovich in Empire of the Sun, Russell Crowe in Virtuosity, and Guy Pearce in L.A. Confidential to name a few. They’re like bands to me. I lose a little interest in them after they become commercial.
I like the bands analogy, Rob. That’s an excellent way of expressing that sentiment.
Not having seen Virtuosity, I would have used L.A. Confidential for Russell Crowe, myself.
For me – Russell Crowe kind of doesn’t get any better than the skinhead Neo-Nazi he played in Romper Stomper.
Talk about raw!
Sharon Stone saw that movie – and brought him to Hollywood – on the basis of that film – to be in the awful Quick and the Dead.
Which ended up somehow turning into a screen test for LA Confidential. And we all know how that turned out.
Russell Crowe was phenomenal in LA Confidential – but for me – that performance in Romper Stomper shows what this guy is REALLY capable of. Terrifying performance.
Every time I get sick of Russell Crowe I think of Romper Stomper. I don’t know whether to think, “What has happened to this guy?” or “I should give him more chances.” Just, everything I’ve seen him in, in the past couple of years seems vacuous.
But on topic (how dare I?!), I agree with the oddity of the recut. But I think that Hollywood understands what a star power Ewan McGregor is and can be. I wonder if, with this movie, seeing Ewan McGregor might have given something away?
I also didn’t think too much of the ad the first couple of times I saw it. But when I saw Ewan, there seemed to be a different dimension to the film. Not just because he was in it, but you seemed to get new info as well.
I immediately had a Rosencrantz & Guildenstern Are Dead / Jacob’s Ladder feel from it.
OMG. The Quick & The Dead WAS terrible. I forgot he was in that. Not even Hackman (who, along with Morgan Freeman, I consider to be a person who can elevate crap to respectability by simply appearing on screen) was able to rescue that disaster.
Haven’t seen Romper Stomper. It’s one of those films that I know I should see, but never get around to seeing. Ditto Trainspotting (Should I even be admitting this?).
Yet somehow, through all of this, I have seen the American Idol movie, ‘From Justin to Kelly’ (at this point, Sheila is probably banning me from comments), which is so bad as to make The Quick and The Dead seem like Citizen Kane, Casablanca, Patton, The Empire Strikes Back, The Godfather and the LOTR trilogy all wrapped up into one.
Oh, and it is safe to say that the Justin Guarini performance (if one could call it that) in the AI movie is not at all evocative of any of the performances Rob mentions in the post at the top of this thread…
Cullen –
I honestly believe that the “industry” is trying to push Ryan Gosling into stardom – they are trying to ‘create’ a star – and it is an entire movement within the industry to make that happen. It’s been that way for about 2 years now. Gosling has a team of people behind him, negotiating stuff for him, making deals for him – and I think THAT’S where that first ad came from. A feeling of pressure to create some heat and buzz around Gosling’s name.
And in the heat of that moment – Ewan McGregor’s role fell to the wayside.
I wouldn’t be surprised if there were some backstage pressure and anger from McGregor’s team (if I were McGregor, I would certainly have complained about that first ad) – like: “McGregor is above Gosling on the credits – he’s a way bigger star – cut it OUT with this Gosling shit”.
It happens all the time – Hollywood misses what is REALLY going on and what people might REALLY care about in their fervor to be the first to point out “the next best thing”. I’m not blaming them – it’s part of the business – but I just think it’s interesting how they immediately seemed to realize the error and set about to fix it.
Again – try to imagine Johnny Depp or Leonardo diCaprio being treated that way. It’s hard to imagine. McGregor is up there with them – on that level – he’s starring in major motion pictures, he’s able to “open” films, he gets critical acclaim, his salary is enormous –
But he’s still a bit more of a dark horse. He doesnt “fit in” – he doesn’t play their game. He goes home to Scotland and makes tiny movies that nobody sees. Except for me. Hollywood doesn’t really like that. But then again: Johnny Depp does the same thing.
Alex – hahahahahaha
I actually do want to see that stupid Justin to Kelly movie – It looks ATROCIOUS.
cullen – yeah, I do think the re-cut is better. You get more of a sense of what the film is about.
Ryan Gosling is not enough. Yet.
I know his agent and his publicist can’t WAIT for it to be “enough” that he’s in it – but they will just have to be patient.
His time has not yet arrived.
I feel the same as Rob on this. Very few BIG stars can make me forget that I’m watching them. Once someone reaches that level, it’s “Oh, Tom Cruise did a good scene there” or “Cameron Diaz plays a good part here.” It’s so easy to *not* see the character they’re playing.
I do forget I’m watching Johnny Depp, though. He’s awesome.
Russel Crowe became the Captain in Master and Commander – that was a great performance.
I loved Ewen in Moulin Rouge! Curious what you think of that movie, Red. Do you like all things Ewen?
I’ve never had such a response to a film as I had to Moulin Rouge.
It helped me to hang on during a really really rough spot.
That movie is life-affirming, even with its sad ending.
Ewan McGregor is not only one of my favorite actors – I’m telling you – I will watch him do ANYthing – I think he’s this generation’s Cary Grant, frankly – he’s that fearless, that funny, that heartfelt – I love him.
But not only is he one of my favorite actors, he is also #1 on my list of Freebies.
I don’t care WHAT kind of husband I end up having. If I get a shot for a liaison with Ewan McGregor – husband’ll just have to let me go or I’ll divorce his sorry ass. He can go with HIS freebie whoever she is – Elle Macpherson, Angelina Jolie – whoever – no problems, no question asked – so I must be allowed to go with mine!
I love your movie articles. From a guy who thinks that Astro Zombies, with Wendell Corey and John Carradine, is a classic, it’s nice to listen to someone who really knows movies.
Astro Zombies, heh:
Brains for dinner,
Brains for brunch,
Brains for breakfast,
Brains for lunch.
Brains are all we ever get,
Why can’t we get some guts?
Sorry to be ignorant of your prior postings. I’m relatively new here and didn’t know about the Mouin Rouge post.
It’s one of the few movies I’ve seen multiple times on purpose. I’m glad it helped you out. Just think – someday someone will be saying that about one of *your* performances!
GO RED!
Oh lord, Jon F – no need to apologize – I just knew that I had already said what I needed to say about Moulin Rouge – because, man, I could go on and on and on about that movie!!!
I love it. Can’t count how many times I’ve seen it!
I LOVED Ewan McGregor in Moulin Rouge. He was just so…hmmm thinking of the right adjective…still thinking. Will come back.
I think you might be onto something about this generation’s Carrie Grant. Charming, might be the word I am looking for, but not self conscious or swarmy, just lovely and likable. I can’t hang with you on your need for a E.M. pre-nup, but I see where you’re coming from.
Off topic, I really like your enthusiasm and passion, your unapologetic excitement. Keep putting it out there.
Sheila,
Have you seen “The Believer”? I think it was a Showtime movie but it is out on DVD. Gosling is outstanding in it. I don’t know crap about acting, but he seems perfect for the role of a young Jewish man who is also a Neo-Nazi. The dude is incredibly intense! I don’t know how he would do playing somebody who is not that intense, but he kicked ass in this movie. If you haven’t seen it, I recommend it.
Ooh, I was JUST going to say what Jay said! The Believer was pretty good, but Gosling was fantastic. I recommend it too.
I’m not a Ewan fan, not because I dislike him but because I just haven’t seen many of his films. But Alison’s comments above hit home with me.
I live in London, and recently my wife and I went to the theatre to see “Guys And Dolls.” Ewan did a pretty good job as Sky Masterson and the one thing that particularly struck me was his charisma. He’s just really likeable, and this charm comes through strongly when he’s 20 feet away on stage.
For those who might live in or journey to London, I believe the play will run until at least March 2006 and it’s definitely worth seeing if you like musical theatre. I thought Jane Krakowski (of Ally McBeal fame, who played Adelaide) was particularly good. And it’s the closest you’ll probably ever get to Ewan McGregor if that’s your cup of tea.
We just recently got to see “The United States of Leland”, and it wasn’t until the credits rolled that I even realized that Leland was played by Gosling! (Of course, I wasn’t wearing my contacts, but still.) It was one of the quietest, most understated and perfectly controlled performances of such an oddly-written character…and much of the acting came from his voice-over. Having Don Cheadle as a foil didn’t hurt, either, of course.