POSTER & TRAILER: THE GREAT DEBATERS

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Don’t expect any Oscars. Denzel doesn’t play a bad guy in this one and neither does Forest. Playing dictators and criminals –in other words, pandering by portraying some nice, degrading stereotype– will get you tons of praise and awards, EASILY!
But it’s not the performance these critics love so much, it’s the role–period. Anybody could have played Frank Lucas, Idi Amin or Alonzo Harris and the critics would have loved it. Say Training Day had starred Cube Gooding JR. and David Harewood (I’m naming an obscure actor you never heard of on purpose) the predictable “critical” response would have been, “Cuba’s becoming quite stale, playing his usual saintly role that we’ve seen him play all his career, but David’s ‘Alonzo’ stole the show! Mezmerizing, captivating. A treat compared to Cuba’s worn-out persona. So rich and nuanced. The type of character we haven’t seen enough of these days. Expect to see him come Oscar time.”

These same critics however have praised Russell Crowe’s Richie Roberts character even though he was utterly unbelieveable. But let Denzel play an honest cop–and watch out, here comes the scorn! “Oh God! Denzel playing an honest character AGAIN? Aren’t we all so tired of this shit?”

This has become the litmus test for recognition and credit for black actors. Did you play a part that played to stereotype? If so, then step right up and accept your Oscar! Hey, don’t be surpised at the page-long articles praising you as the “Next Great Thing in Acting” in the New York Times or L.A. Times. Jennifer Hudson’s loud, church mammy persona certailny got her noticed.

But dare to escape from the stereotype plantation by insisting on playing –GASP!!!– dignified roles without an ounce of comforting stereotpye and you’ll be universally attacked as “stale,” “typical” and “repetitive.” I can’t stand Will Smith, but the Pursuit of Happyness was brilliant acting from him, and the role was a revelation. A man simply looking for upward mobility. Ordinarily it would have been Movie of the Week fodder, but Smith was radiant and elevated ordinary material to something incredible…and got nothing for it.
Well I for one am sick of it, and I’m sure I’m not alone.

Tom Cruise, Johnny Depp, Brad Pitt and Leonardo DiCaprio never get treated this way. Mel Gibson’s been playing the same character for thirty years, but nobody ever says that’s “stale.” Or bitches about how he needs to “extend” himself and get out of his “comfort zone.”

Yes, but for black actors it’s a whole other story. Play a criminal or some character playing to stereotype and no matter how shitty the script, how poor the directing or bad the role it will be praised and awarded regardless. A persona that never gets old.
We’ve got some sick folks in this biz.

Comment by JaySmack | December 13, 2007

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