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On tv last night, I saw one of -- if not the -- last films he made, "Tom Horn"; a fiction documentary about the life of one of the last western free souls. The movie ends (not a spoiler - it really happened) with Horn being hanged in 1903 for murder based on circumstance and politics.
The movie was released (and probably made) in 1980, the same year that McQueen died from cancer. He was probably sick with it when he made the flick.
I was wondering:
Did he choose this movie because it ended with Horn saying his farewell; just as McQueen might have wanted to say to his fans? I wonder if he used this story as a vehicle to give his own message?
Follow Ups:
he had a natural screen presence, but wasn't much of a real actor. I never had the sense that he 'became' his character, but was trying to 'act like' his character. Mind, he wasn't as poor in that regard as, say, Keanu Reeves-more like a Harrison Ford.
I guess that's why 'Bullett' was my favorite movie with SM in a starring role-a film that still holds up very well, by the way.
"dammit"
Like John Wayne, Lee Marvin, Clint Eastwood? Actors with so much innate skill, presence, and charisma that they basically just played themselves throughout their careers? One could add others to that list - Bogie or Gable, anyone?
Edits: 07/23/09 07/23/09
d
"Actors with so much innate skill, presence, and charisma that they basically just played themselves throughout their careers?"
Kind of stunned by the suppositions made in this sentence. I can only assume we're poles apart on what constitutes acting 'skill'. Using this 'logic', I'm the finest thespian in all the wide, wide world-who, after all, can play me as well as me?
"dammit"
Did you see the question mark at the end of that sentence? It was in response to your post.Let's just agree to disagree and leave it at that.
Edits: 07/23/09
I said I 'don't like Steve Mcqueen'.
I said he had great screen presence, just wasn't a good actor. As for actors who "played themselves throughout their careers", frankly, their only "innate skill" was/is choosing film roles that matched their marginal acting abilities. Which is smart, career-wise, but it sure doesn't make them quality actors.
Shrug.
"dammit"
you want to argue. i don't. good-bye until the next thread.
of opinion. If you'd like everyone to agree with your statements, I suggest you write them down on a piece of paper, tuck them into a mason jar, and place it in a cool, dark spot in your master bedroom closet.
Either that, or thicken thy skin just a tad, and realize that none of this is personal. Choice is yours.
vaya con dios
"dammit"
I don't mind, and even expect to be disagreed with on this forum. What I won't cotton to is someone who won't let a simple disagreement be what it is. Do you always perceive a slight where none was intended or given and go on the offensive?
I am finished with this thread and with you.
Yeah, you've mentioned that before. And yet, here you are-again. And btw, threat, or promise?
"Do you always perceive a slight where none was intended or given and go on the offensive?"
Ummm....confused. "..perceived a slight..." "....go on the offensive...". Looking back, I still only see a discussion, at least from my quarter. Seems that you are flying off the proverbial handle, since you're the one with the threats (promises?)
good luck with that
"dammit"
even if it's the only one---- is talent?
I do.
Magnetism, charisma, confidence--- projecting all of that is "acting."
Can we agree there are different skill sets?
an audience requires a skill set. But 'danj' used the phrase "...basically just played themselves throughout their careers", and I questioned if that was real 'acting'. It isn't to me. Even with all their screen presence, as I said, I never had the sense that McQeen and his ilk 'became' their character, unless they were playing the Strong and Very, Very Silent type-hence, 'Bullitt'.
But that's one man, and one man's opinion. If someone disagrees, I won't be up all night crying myself to sleep. After all, John Wayne sure wouldn't do that. (-:
"dammit"
Bogie removed. My favorite Hollywood actor, btw.
d
You are hereby granted special dispensation to remove any name from the list. :-)
d
NT
That Steve McQueen was what James Dean would have been had he lived.I don't know about that but there is a similarity there. The loner who would rather not be bothered but who would kick your a** if he had to - and he could do it.
I never saw a McQueen performance I didn't like but "The Great Escape", "Nevada Smith", "Bullitt", and "The Getaway" are my favorites. "Tom Horn" is very good.
Edits: 07/22/09
chops JD did.
McQ had ZERO range, a complete inability to portray personal suffering, or emotional nuance.
He also wasn't at his best with dialogue over a sentence.
Dean was the complete package, even at a young age. He could explode from hurt to white-hot anger in an instant and then reverse to vulnerability.
McQ was a heroic actor in the old sense.
I think his most effective work occurred in those films wherein the character was cool in the face of great danger; his physical presence and grace also were of star quality.
Unfortunately, I think his weakest roles were in more demanding roles such as "Papillon"( a very disappointing and flawed film, anyhow) and the equally bad "The Sand Pebbles."
...your opinion which I respect and value, but what actors might have done better in "Papillon" or "The Sand Pebbles"?
Please, help me picture improvement to these films, flawed as they may be.
d
I respect your opinion but must strongly disagree with you on McQueen's abilities. I'll grant that he was not the most emotive of actors but that was a personal and generational trait that many actors of his generation shared. He internalized his emotions but one could read his moods through his eyes and body language. He was, imho, almost as good as Brando. You will disagree but that is my opinion.As for Dean's abilities, well, they were never in doubt. He was unique.
Edits: 07/23/09 07/23/09
When talking about his worst movies, nobody has yet mentioned "The Towering Inferno", which was so bad that I blocked it out until I read the info linked.
The site also has the statement, "His "anti-hero" persona, which he developed at the height of the Vietnam counterculture, made him one of the top box-office draws of the 1960s and 1970s." That helps explain his style and popularity. Timing versus culture.
The zero range characteristic I think is shared by many popular actors who substitute presence for ability: Cruise, Newmann, Stallone, Costner ... others. Some of these, like McQ, tap into a brooding presence; some go for a plastic facade ilke Cruise.
Yeah, "The Towering Inferno" isn't the high spot on his resume but, hey, it was a gig and I'm sure most actors in terrible movies - there were a lot of name actors in THAT MOVIE - don't know it's going to be terrible when they agree to do it. IIRC, McQueen had originally refused to do the movie but the producers kept at him so he named a price he thought they wouldn't meet. They met his price so he had no option but to play Mr. Fire Chief.
It's one of those movies that makes you feel sorry for the cast.
At least it was better than "Earthquake."
Are you referring to Paul 'Newmann'? Wow-you need to rent 'Hud', at one point in his career time line, and 'Nobody's Fool' at the other end, and then see if you can repeat this foolishness. He may not be your favorite actor, but he deserves much better than being grouped in any list that contains Kevin Costner.
"dammit"
"Cool Hand Luke" or "Hombre" or "Hud" or ......
Newman had more than his share of acting chops. That so many of his films are so highly regarded must say something about his abilities.
brilliant.
supported them and visited "the boys" when he became rich and famous. Later, he served in the USMC and was honorably discharged.
...an everyman played with a sincerity and humility that remains fresh and inspirational.
His Jake Holeman from "The Sand Pebbles" is one of my faves, as is "Papillon".
A genuine iconic American superstar.
It was the saddest day for this at the time 15 year old. Me and my brother watched (MC Queens favorite)on that day The Great Escape, at the ART movie theater in Belgrade, in remembrance. I don't know if i watched the Tom Horn the same day, but when I did he looked sick. I think The Hunter was his officially, last movie? My favorites are Bullitt, Papillon,(watched it more times than any other movie) Cincinnati Kid and the Thomas Crown affair..
"the public is not allowed to win in any game ever invented, and that includes the American Revolution." Charles Bukowski
Edits: 07/20/09
I really think he got robbed of an oscar for that one :-( Maybe a best picture that year too
are his best.
I also admired "Tom Horn," and his last, "The Hunter."
The films you mentioned I thought were worse films than the 5 I list, though his performances were very good.
of the 1960s, imho. McQueen and Malden play off each other so well that it's a pure joy to watch. Two old pros at the top of their game!
d
But his ending was poignant, telling Slim Pickens to "keep his nerve because he certainly intended to". And smiling lightheartedly until his end.
Made me wonder if that was McQueen's fan farewell.
d
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