I frequently have the conversation on the topic of the perfect movie actor/actress. I suppose the word ‘perfect’ should really be replaced with ‘most versatile.’ Upon hearing this, one may immediately jump to someone like Tom Hanks. The man has two Oscars under his belt and has undertaken a variety of roles such as a light-hearted opposite of Meg Ryan (You’ve Got Mail, Sleepless in Seattle, etc.) and a conflicted AIDS-carrying homosexual (Philadelphia). But is he really the best?
In my eyes, the perfect actor should have accomplished five things. He/She:
1.) should have had a significant role in an Oscar-worthy film
2.) has played a convincing villain
3.) has played a convincing good guy
4.) took part in a ‘stupid’ comedy
5.) has taken a role in an action film
Now if we re-evaluate Mr. Hanks, we’ll find that he doesn’t satisfy number two of my list. Some may argue that he played a heartless villain in Road to Perdition, but let’s face it, he really was the same likeable sap that we all know him to be. In fact, I would go as far as to say that his career until now has established himself as such a warm fellow that noone would buy it for a second if he played a villain in future films. Of recently, he veered from his typical heavy/heartwarming/romantic roles and played Robert Langdon in Dan Brown’s The Da Vinci Code and Angels & Demons to which my friend Barry joked, ‘I’m not convinced. I don’t want to see Tom Hanks run.’
Did I arrive at a perfect actor? I got pretty close. Tim Robbins.
1.) Oscar-worthy film: The Shawshank Redemption
2.) Convincing Villain: Arlington Road
3.) Convincing good guy: most of his repertoire
4.) ‘Stupid’ Comedy: Nothing To Lose
5.) Action film: War of the Worlds
Runner ups: Philip Seymour Hoffman, Edward Norton
The reason why I bring up the subject of actors and acting is because of a comment made by my critique panel at the end of this past quarter. Though they had plenty of suggestions regarding my work, the four panelists concurred that they thoroughly liked my presentation. In fact, they said that at times, the presentation outshined the deliverables. They told me that I ‘set the tone well,’ and that ‘I don’t clutter my explanations with B.S.’ One panelist even told me that he would have no problem sticking me in a boardroom tomorrow to sell a product. These were all very complimentary, yet one particular description stuck out to me the most. They told me that I was very ‘honest.’
To me, this was the best comment that I could have asked for.
Throughout my Publications class, Hank Richardson put immense emphasis on the ‘theater’ of our presentations (and moreso the theater of life); a concept that I questioned because of theater's lack of genuity. In my eyes, I could never take an actor seriously in real life – I would not know if he or she is acting or not! I have always thought that a relationship with an actress would be a constant question of trust; I imagine that I would frequently ask myself the question, ‘is she putting on a show right now?’ And after all, what is a relationship without trust? I have found that the people whom I am closest to are people who are genuine – people who are transparent. What you see is what you get. People who are horrible actors.
I understand where Hank is coming from in that when it comes to a presentation, one needs to embrace theater in order to capture the attention of the client/audience. But to me this comes at the expense of being one’s self. Wouldn’t the client feel more secure trusting a designer who is pitching ideas honestly as opposed to one who is putting on a show to just make another sale?
What my critique told me was that they believed my concepts because of what Shaun said about them – and Shaun only...mistakes and all. Honestly, I couldn’t tell you what I did because, well, it was just what I do all the time.
So in conclusion, sorry Hank; I’ll keep your theater lecture in mind but something tells me that I can get through the world fine without having to be an actor.
P.S. If you would like to check out some very honest music, listen to The Avett Brothers. As of now, I can’t stop listening to them.
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