Dodgy film chemistry
August 28th 2007 23:22
I read an article in the SMH a couple of days ago that stated the relationship between Hayden Christensen and Natalie Portman in Star Wars has been voted the "least plausible" by film fans in a new survey. That’s a big statement and not a particularly flattering one. The poll surveyed 3000 movie-goers for the film advertising company Pearl and Dean. It sounds like a substantial audience sample but I’m not that great with statistics so what would I know? I was just glad that they interviewed more than a dozen before declaring their findings.
Apparently in Attack of the Clones, audiences weren’t convinced there was enough chemistry between the duo to entice Skywalker away from his Jedi vows. I didn’t see the film, so I can’t comment but I can write and ask you what you think...
Other some (once) real-life couples that were also declared dubious, Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez, the couple then dubbed Bennifer, earned second place for their stilted performances in Gigli, while Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman merited a mention for Eyes Wide Shut. Now, I quite liked the premise of Eyes Wide Shut but Tom Cruise is not one of my favourite actors(I think I’ve mentioned that before) and Nicole Kidman can be wooden in some of her performances (not all, I don’t think this applies to her earlier films Flirting, Dead Calm, Bangkok Hilton) such as Cold Mountain, Birthday Girl and Bewitched.
Affleck landed a second top-10 mention for his performance in Pearl Harbour with Kate Beckinsdale. I haven’t seen Pearl Harbour, nor do I want to, so I can’t comment. Well, I could but it would really be that fair.
Hugh Grant and Andi McDowell came in at sixth place with Four Weddings and a Funeral. From my memory I thought they were OK...
In Pirates of the Caribbean, Orlando Bloom and Keira Knightly’s performance was described as "too stiff upper lip". Oh yes, I definitely agree with that one, partially because I generally find Keira to be stilted and impassive in most of her performances. And I don't mean to sound cruel but I don't see the big deal about Bloom, he's alright but not brilliant.
The 39-year age difference between Sean Connery and Catherine Zeta Jones wasn't lost on the survey's respondents, who failed to respond to their pairing in Entrapment. They don’t bother me too much so I don’t have much to say about them and I didn't see the film so what would I know?
Unsurprisingly, Madonna was on the list - her relationship with Adriano Giannini in Swept Away didn't exactly blow viewers off their cinematic tootsies. But from what I read about the film, it was abysmal anyway so it makes sense that their chemistry wouldn’t be believable. Even in my most desperate of fluff days I haven’t seen that film nor will I ever.
To end on a more positive note, the passion between Heath Ledger and Jake Gyllenhaal in Brokeback Mountain was ardently felt, with 95 percent of viewers convinced by the passion of their romance.
So what other couples do you think seem just a bit too unconvincing? The first couple I thought of even though I know they aren’t in films (but don't live they live in Hollywood or did I make that up?) but I just couldn’t resist mentioning are Posh I’m-so-brown-and-skinny and David I’m-so-brilliant, stylish-and-good-looking Beckham. Oh and Tom and Kate Cruise, they really get on my nerves. They try too hard to convince us that they are sooo much in love.
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Comment by katyzzz
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Beautiful work as always, Tracy.
katyzzz
Comment by Louie
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I also hate any Way too older man/younger Girl scenario...makes me sick, movie has beens using a film to get a free grope
Comment by Chic Critique
Harrison Ford and Anne Heche.....how ridiculous. Age gap, lack of plausibility......it's got it all.
Cool post Tracy.
Cheers
CC
Comment by Mrs M
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I also read the article. But I have to say that I was a little uninspired by their performances (Natalie and Hayden) on a whole.
Love & stuff
Mrs M
Comment by DuskDevi
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I read the article as well.
It wasn't so much the lack of chemistry between the actors but the lack of dialogue 'flow' between the characters in the 2nd trilogy.
Whereas Ford and Fisher had the charisma to carry the stiff dialogue...Natalie and Haydn didn't. Plus Amidala was supposed to be staid and aloof being a Queen and Senator and Anakin is confused and he's supposed to be a twitchy jerk...
...but it wasn't just his forbidden love for her that turned him to the dark side...it was his lack of Jedi judgement...he killed his mother's abductors...and their females and children too...he murdered them and I really think I should stop now.
Yeah. They sucked.
I completely agree with McDowell and Grant's pairing... but then I just cannot stand his foppishness. I'm also not a Keira fan..sure she's pretty but...what?
As much as I like Matt Damon and also Franka Potente(?) in the Bourne series (I do like these movies)...they are just sooooooo boring as a couple.
...no wonder Marie made a quick film exit!...she didn't in the books.
Hmmm...Julia Roberts and Brad Pitt in 'The Mexican'. Blah.
Kati Holmes was no match for Christian Yummy bale in 'Batman Begins'.
Kate Bosworth and anyone.
...this could get very very long...
Tracy...what about a follow-up post on the HOTTEST couples? The couples with the BEST on screen chemistry.
...so many couples spring to mind...
Hope you are well. Are you?
Dusk
Comment by Mike Crowl
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Comment by Nickoftime's Sanity Corner
I have to agree with Mike here...I don't think the chemistry was all that bad, it was just the entire freakin movie was bad!
LOL
But your list does give pause to think...good read...
Take care,
Nick
Comment by Cibbuano
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Comment by JohnDoe
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A few of the worst for me- that lacked any spark, felt scripted and forced.
Tom Cruise and Kelly McGillis - Top Gun
Sean Connery and Catherine Zeta Jones - Entrapment
Richard Gere and Julia Roberts - Pretty Woman
Robert Redford and Demi Moore - Indecent Proposal
Charlie Sheen and Daryl Hannah - Wall Street
Comment by Anonymous
Yes, Connery just seems to do all that he does so well doesn’t he? Plus he makes it look so easy. He’s a charismic, excellent actor.
Thanks for your compliment, it’s always appreciated.
Byee, have a good day,
Tracy
Comment by Tracy
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Comment by Tracy
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I completely agree...I thought I was the only one that thought Niles was gay and didn’t understand what he was doing with Daphne. It's nice to have some company with that thought.
I love this statement, I had a good laugh:
Good to see you, Louie. You’ve been coming up with some really interesting topics on your site that have made me think....
Tracy
Comment by Tracy
Movies and Life
It’s good to see you. So you agree with the article that the chemistry didn’t work? Although I haven’t seen the film I thought it was an interesting finding as the film was so successful and well-known. It’s good to hear what you and other think.
I love this statement and I had a good laugh:
Thanks for your comments as always,
Tracy
PS What kind of dog do you have?
Comment by Tracy
Movies and Life
It’s good to see you Orbling again. Hope all is well with you.
Aaah, so you think the findings were true too....so interesting.
Thanks for popping in,
Tracy
Comment by Tracy
Movies and Life
It’s great to see you, hope you’re well. I’m not bad thanks, had a few health quirks so am having a break from work which leaves me more time to blog, enjoy the sunshine, see friends/family and slow down (which I really needed to do!) and things like that. This sunshine is glorious.Plus, we are going on holiday next week.
Your comments were engaging and I think I will do that follow-up post on couple that have strong sensual zest. I just have to think of a couple and then I think it will all come a-flowing. A big thank-you for the idea, it's a perfect follow-on.
I’ve noticed that I tend to do film-related posts on the annoying aspects first such as Top 10 people on telly that annoy me and My Top 10 of actors I cannot stand. It doesn’t make sound like a chirpy soul at all, but ah well. So the next post will be a winsome change...
As I said, I haven’t seen the recent Star Wars films (they’ve all blended into the same ones to me now, I saw them as a kid though) and I just noticed a pattern (another one) in my viewing habits, I don’t tend to see the ones that have a lot of hype. I think it’s mid-thirties defiance. I didn’t do it when I was 15 so I’m doing it now.
Aha so you thought: It wasn't so much the lack of chemistry between the actors but the lack of dialogue 'flow' between the characters in the 2nd trilogy. As I said I haven’t seen the film but it seems that some parts worked such as where you mentioned that Ford and Fisher had the charisma to carry the stiff dialogue. I think Ford is an expert on charisma, similar to Connery.
This piqued my curiously, you have an astute eye for details, Dusk:
I’ve only seen the first Bourne and I can’t really remember it. I think I enjoyed it as I was in the mood for a thriller, but Damon is quite mundane isn’t he, both on screen and off, or that's how he seems in the media.
I didn’t see The Mexican as I heard it wasn’t that great. I had to look up Kate Bosworth because I couldn’t think if a film she’s been in....ah yes, Blue Crush...say no more....
Yes, Kati Holmes was no match for Christian you can-hop-into-my-bed Bale in Batman Begins. She was a bit winpy, she needs a bit more grunt (and I don’t mean in a sexual way).
Thanks for your comments and ideas. It’s always good to see you, Dusk,
Trace xxx
Comment by Tracy
Movies and Life
Hi Mike
Yes, I think we have to mention the role of the script, that’s good point. I guess sometimes actors can only do so much? This is an interesting observation:
This is a pity:
Thanks for sharing out those important points and for your input in general. It’s certainly made me think about how much actors can do with a script they have and when a director radically changes a trilogies’ direction.
Tracy
Comment by Tracy
Movies and Life
Your comment was succinct and made me laugh!
Glad you enjoyed the post,
Byeeeee
Comment by Tracy
Movies and Life
Thanks for your comments, as I said to Nick your comments are succinct and get to the crux of what was wrong with the film/s (they all blend into one for me).
Tracy
Comment by Tracy
Movies and Life
Glad you've joined me with my moaning. I had to tone myself down as there were so many more that I could think of....
Yes, I agree with you: Robert Redford and Demi Moore - Indecent Proposal and Charlie Sheen and Daryl Hannah - Wall Street. I haven't seen Entrapment and Top Gun and I don’t plan on seeing them either.
Out of the ones you listed, the one that didn’t bother me too much was Richard Gere and Julia Roberts in Pretty Woman. I just saw it as a safe, formulaic Hollywood film that didn’t get on my nerves that much, maybe because I know that was going to be the premise of it.
Thanks for popping in,
Tracy
Comment by D. Armenta
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Like Dusk, I say that those two didn't have the charisma to pull off the stiff dialogue that Fisher and Ford had-- they were fantastic in the chemistry department!
As for other dodgy pairings, I haven't seen Keanu Reeves generate any chemistry with any female yet. The only pairing he pulled off well was with the guy who played Ted.
Comment by Miswanderlust
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Nicholas Cage and Diane Kruger in National Treasure. Horrible movie and horrible chemistry....
Mis
Comment by Kleonaptra
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Nicole Kidmans charater 'Gillian' and 'Jimmy Angelove' were stunning in 'Practical magic' I hold that as one of her best ever performances....But I tend to get biased when I love the subject matter!
Comment by Tracy
Movies and Life
Yes, I think the only time Keanu deviated from his monotone voice was in the film Bill and Ted’s Great Adventure.
So it seems that the survey was right, the chemistry between Portman/Christiansen is duff.
Thanks for popping in,
Tracy
Comment by Tracy
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I haven’t seen that one and probably won’t, it doesn’t really appeal to me.
I thought of you yesterday as I was listening to Soft Cell as I drove and enjoyed singing to Sex Dwarf and all their other synthesiser delights. They are great to sing too, very jiggly.
Have a good weekend,
Tracy
Comment by Tracy
Movies and Life
Hi Kleo
All the Star Wars have blended into one for me, so I have no idea which bits I like and which films I actually saw.
I haven’t seen Practical Magic so I looked it up and I like the sound of it. I think Kidman’s performances vary, she certainly is cleverly versatile but sometimes too wooden for me to get involved in the film.
Good to see you, have a good weekend,
Tracy
Comment by Kleonaptra
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