About a year ago I took a month and studied Cary Grant. I read several biographies and watched five or six of his movies I'd never seen. One of his biographers mentioned what was a frequent criticism of Grant, he always played the same character i.e., Cary Grant. Grant's 1964 film, "Father Goose" was his, (in my opinion) very successful attempt to break out of that stereotype. Grant's character, Walter Eckland was totally different from any character or role in his long career. Although Grant didn't win his long coveted Oscar, "Father Goose" did win an Oscar for, Best Writing, Story and Screenplay. It was also nominated for two other Oscars and a Golden Globe.
Last year Gretchen and I saw, "Me and Orson Welles". At the time I wrote a blog titled, "Zac Efron is Still 17". At that time I wrote, "I saw "Me and Orson Welles" at the Broadway this afternoon. While I don't totally agree with Rolling Stone's opinion of Zac Efron's acting abilities, it was a good movie and I'd see it again.
The film was shot in New York, London and The Isle of Man. The locations, costuming and production values were superb. I thought it was well written and a superb example of a look backstage. It would probably work quite well as a stage play.
My only problem with the film was trying to decide who was portraying the lead character. Was Troy Bolton the lead or Zac Efron?
The gestures, speech patterns and expressions were all Troy Bolton. Maybe Troy Bolton and Zac Efron are the same person. Has anyone ever seen Troy Bolton and Zac Efron together?
I can honestly say that Efron did a superior job as Link Larkin in "Hairspray". He wasn't Zac Efron playing himself as a character named Link Larkin; he was an actor who developed a character.
After Efron backed out of Kenny Ortega's production of "Footloose" last summer, an acquaintance commented that he probably didn't want to be typecast and wanted to stretch his acting abilities. I immediately retorted, "Oh, a project like,"Seventeen Again"?"
The problem with "Me and Orson Welles" is that Zac/Troy/Richard is "Seventeen Again", or is that still 17?
Before I agree with "Rolling Stone's" pronouncement that "Me and Orson Welles" proves Zac Efron can act, I'd like to see Mr. Efron portray a character who isn't 17 and doesn't sing, dance or play basketball."
All of this leads me to "The Adjustment Bureau" which we saw this afternoon. (We really enjoyed it, very good film, I strongly recommend it and it may end up on my Amazon Wish List) Anyway, Gretchen and I are big fans of "Mad Men" and "The Adjustment Bureau" features "Mad Men's" Roger Sterling (John Slattery) as Richardson. Once again the inflection and delivery of the lines, the characterization, even the mannerisms had me thinking not of "The Adjustment Bureau", but of Roger Sterling. And, the hat he wore throughout the film didn't help either.
So my question is this; as actors are we all narrowly typecast, (especially in a small market with relatively few casting directors) or do directors really want the same character from the same actor over and over?
Is it our fault when we're afraid to stretch ourselves by auditioning for more challenging roles, breaking through our own sub consciously imposed limitations?
Or, do we consistently audition for roles that we think we have "The Look" for?
I don't know, but I do know I've caught myself doing the same audition for a similar character, the homeless guy, the reformed alcoholic running the homeless shelter and etc. If you know or have any thoughts on the matter, tell me next time we're on set, on location or on stage…
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