What goes into making a good actor? Is it possible to realize the value of a good actor when he or she is in their prime? Is it necessary for a good actor to be a great actor, or can one exist without the other? These are just some of the questions that arise when watching “Good Actors,” a new film about the glamour of acting.
The film’s premise is simple: actors are not people, but rather actors have been trained to act like people. The film’s focus is on this training, and how that training affects the way actors view themselves and the world around them. It is a fascinating subject, and one that I find myself thinking about constantly whenever I watch an episode of “The Office” or “Modern Family.” (My favorite show right now is “Cheers.”)
But what makes this film so interesting is not the premise or focus. Rather, it is how the film explores these ideas through its characters. The main character, John (played by John Krasinski), seems at first glance like an average guy who has been trained to be an actor. He lives in New York, works as an accountant, and has been married to his wife, Mary (Emily Blunt), for 15 years. But there is
“Good Actors” is a film about the glamour of acting. There are so many good actors in this movie that it’s hard to say who’s best. I almost hate to single any out, but they’re all so good you can’t help yourself.
Edward Norton, who plays an actor in the film, gives a great performance. He’s so good you hardly notice him at all, which is exactly how he wants it to seem. “I am an actor,” he says. “Being an actor means never being noticed.” He and Brad Pitt, another great actor in the film, play two young men who have both been acting since they were very young. They’ve been in so many movies they can’t even remember them all.
“I did an episode of ‘The Twilight Zone’ once,” says Norton, “but I forget which one.”
“Yeah,” says Pitt, “I was in ‘The Twilight Zone’ too.” They both laugh and order another drink.
These guys have been around for years and have acted for some of the best directors in the business–Spielberg, Scorsese, Kubrick–but that doesn’t mean anything to them anymore. They’re just a couple of good actors trying to make a living
Newcomer director, Simon Merrells, has crafted a wonderfully subtle and mature film about acting. “Good Actors” is not about special effects or dancing girls. It’s about the long hours and the hardships of learning your craft. The film follows three young actors, who are yet to make it big, as they attempt to work their way up from regional theater to the big time. Their stories are interwoven in such a way that we get to know each character intimately as each struggles with their own personal demons, while at the same time trying to cope with day-to-day life in general.
The acting is top notch, especially from Robson Green whose performance as Daniel was stunningly believable. I was left wondering whether he was actually acting out his part or whether the role was just so close to his own personality that he could be playing himself. My favourite scene was when he ended up fighting with his girlfriend on stage during a live performance and then carried on delivering his lines as if nothing had happened. If that’s not real talent then I don’t know what is!
Likewise, the other two main characters (Maggie and David) were excellently portrayed by Samantha Janus and Michael Elphick who seemed to give a
Actors are often paid to pretend, but in the new movie “Good Actors,” the actors play themselves. In this touching and humorous film, a group of actors go on various adventures, including a trip to a local restaurant. The film is three hours long and the DVD has many special features.
In one scene, the famous actor Tom Cruise plays himself playing a knight in a television show called “The Knights of Queens.” Other stars in the film include Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie as themselves, and Matt Damon as himself playing a detective who falls in love with a woman named Lisa (played by Lisa Bonet).
The director of “Good Actors” is Frank Miller, who also directed “The Knights of Queens.” It’s an inside joke that only movie buffs will understand. After seeing the film, you may want to rent other movies by Frank Miller or any of these actors. The DVD is available at your local video store for $24.95.
The new film Good Actors, directed by James Lahey, stars Tom Hanks and Meryl Streep as two has-beens in love. They play each other’s therapists, which isn’t entirely a spoiler: the moment they set eyes on each other they realize the truth, but continue their deception out of affection.
The movie opens in black and white with a shot of the back of Hanks’s head as he walks out of his house and into his car. The camera pans left to reveal Streep waiting at the curb; we see her face reflected in the car window as Hanks pulls up. The two exchange a few words about their day jobs, then drive off for coffee.
Streep has a secret: she is dying of cancer and only has a few months to live. Hanks is an alcoholic who hasn’t had a drink in years. Neither wants to ruin their last days together with self-pity, so they decide to pretend they’re acting in a movie that will be released after they are dead. The pretense allows them to eschew grief and enjoy their time together without fear or shame.
In one scene, Streep discusses her illness with another patient (played by Paul Giamatti), who doesn’t know she
Good Actors follows the lives of several actors who have recently made it big in Hollywood. The audience follows them as they prepare for their roles, and their lives outside the movie set. We see what it takes to be a successful actor, and the price they pay for their fame.
While watching this movie it is hard not to notice that many of the actors are wearing black from head to toe. This is done on purpose by director G. Miller; he is attempting to portray a sort of uniformity among actors-a group of people who all do similar things, yet are all so vastly different.
The characters are portrayed as living in a dark world, with little hope for anything but the bright lights of fame and fortune that shine on them from above. These characters are not portrayed as “good” or “bad,” but simply as human beings struggling with life’s problems like everyone else
This movie is a sort of sequel to “Bad Actors,” but with an even more dramatic cast. I found myself on the edge of my seat as I watched these “up-and-coming” actors try to find themselves.
The film starts out with Hilarie Macrae, who plays the role of “College Dropout,” quit school to pursue her dream of becoming an actress. She moves to LA and works at Starbucks in order to meet people. Her life goes from bad to worse when she loses her job and apartment. She then must move in with her best friend, played by Alison Hood, who is struggling with her own career as a writer for a video game company. They have many adventures together, including finding love in strange places.
The most impressive performance comes from Tina Lane, who plays “Ivy League Graduate.” Lane has been typecast as the good girl who always gets what she wants and this role is no exception. Her performance as the poor girl who always gets what she wants is wonderful to watch. There are so many things happening in this movie that you will be glued to your seat throughout the entire film.
If you like movies about Hollywood, then you will love this movie!
