Should Johnny Lead the Classic Pack?
American Movie Classics (AMC) is conducting a poll asking readers to choose Today's Classic American Actor -- one who embodies the country as we now know it. Johnny Depp is currently leading the pack with 27% of the vote, followed closely by Tom Hanks and George Clooney respectively.
Personally, I'm not sure Johnny is really the perfect choice for this particular poll. That's certainly no slam against him, I just don't think he embodies American culture the way Tom Hanks and George Clooney do. If the poll had asked, "Who's the Best Actor?", then sure, Johnny Depp hands down. But though he is an American actor, he tends to have more of a global scope. He defines many things, but his body of work is not limited to a particular culture or geographical boundary -- and 100 years from now, historians couldn't look at his films and say, "Ah, now that's America at the turn of the 21st century..." In that sense, I think the others are far better choices for this poll.
So, what do you think?
Personally, I'm not sure Johnny is really the perfect choice for this particular poll. That's certainly no slam against him, I just don't think he embodies American culture the way Tom Hanks and George Clooney do. If the poll had asked, "Who's the Best Actor?", then sure, Johnny Depp hands down. But though he is an American actor, he tends to have more of a global scope. He defines many things, but his body of work is not limited to a particular culture or geographical boundary -- and 100 years from now, historians couldn't look at his films and say, "Ah, now that's America at the turn of the 21st century..." In that sense, I think the others are far better choices for this poll.
So, what do you think?
posted by Trish Bennett at
10:08 AM
39 Comments:
I think he's a bit too... edgy? I'm not sure that's the word I'm looking for. I think the other two tops are much better choices, so yeah, I agree. When I think of Johnny, I think of well, of course, amazing acting, but I think of more outsider roles & riskier chances. With say, George Clooney [not that he doesn't take risky roles], I feel he has that more classic look, for one, & that his career overall is more encompassing of 'classic.' Plus he reminds me of Cary Grant :)
I think Johnny's films are classic in a different way than normal American classic. Did that make much sense...
I completely agree with everything you said. Although he is Amarican he does seem to have a very british sense of humour. He just isn't really clasically american.
Interesting... maybe it depends upon how "American Classic" is defined. 20-30 years ago, I would've said Jimmy Stewart fits the description,(still does for me),impeccably. Now, by 21st century standards,or even in the 90's the standard might change. Actors back then were mostly contracted out to studios for either a time frame, or a certain number of movies.I don't feel that is the case anymore. Actors today, if they're ANY GOOD AT ALL,LET ALONE GREAT,(MEANING DIVERSITY IN ROLES), have more leeway. Considering the definition of the word classical, Johnny is in a league by himself,choosing odd roles,challenging roles, always upping the bar for other actors to copy,(as if they really could?). Johnny is iconoclastic, he is setting trends& traditions, he isn't adhering to old ones. Well bottom line it doesn't matter much, award items like these don't really impress Mr. Depp. I like Tom Hanks better than George Clooney as an actor, but I'm no expert... Vote for Johnny anyway!!
Who else has their movie character imbedded into a Disney ride? Disney is pretty classic wouldn't you say?
Johnny doesn't act to a particular country or culture..he acts to his "demons". I see nothing particularly American Classic in his films, I see different aspects of life from no one place on the globe. I think he is a great actor to be able to portray all the different personas he has and do it so convincingly, but "Baseball and Apple Pie" is not what I would associate him with at all.
I guess it depends on how you define Classic... Citizen Kane is now considered a classic, but at the time it came out people didn't know what to do with it. They didn't understand it at all. It was way ahead of its time. Personally, I think if we have an opportunity to influence how folks in the future see us, I'd rather choose something that represents the epitome of artistic achievement rather than some plodding middle of the road "average." Sorry, but that's how I see the likes of Tom Hanks.
Does anyone remember the name of Tom Hanks' character in Saving Private Ryan, The Green Mile, or Big? How about George Clooney's in Syriana, Solaris, or One Fine Day? Will anyone ever FORGET Jack Sparrow, Edward Scissorhands, or Sweeney Todd?
I have to say that Johnny does embody the American character of the 20th and 21st century. It is mainly because of his eclectic, non-mainstream choices and his exotic looks. He is a perfect American mixture; even with the Native American thrown in. I would say that a Gary Cooper or James Stewart might have led the pack 50 years ago, but today's 'classic' actor has to be quirky and different, because there in no one "American" look or attitude anymore. Johnny represents the intelligent, sensitive 'everyman' who is decidedly NOT the same as everyone on the inside. I think Tom Hanks might be a good case, but he is almost too 'normal'. As for George Clooney, although I do like him, I don't think he is in the same league as Johnny or Hanks. For that matter, I don't think even Hanks has the range and sheer talent of Johnny. His very versatility and edginess gives him the right to be the 'new American classic.'
~Barby
I agree with you Trish! I'm not an American myself, but I agree when you say that he seems to have more of a global scope. He doesn't seem to embody America down to a tee. George and Tom see to better than Johnny. Johnny just seems worldly I guess.
Whoa! I almost find this insulting that he is on this list! Depp is nothing close to "classic"!!! Anyone who believes in his acting knows this for a fact!! It takes a special talent to do what Depp brings onto the screen! And he is very much a risk taker when it comes to the roles he chooses, or the ones that choose him! When I hear movie classic, I think Pitt...even Cruise!! Never Depp! He's in a class of his own, which I find much more thrilling than the basic "classic"!
I agree with what has been said so far. Yes, he does come over as very European, especially English. He probably picket up a few English sayings while dating Kate Moss. I'm English and live in Canada. I was watching an interview the other day and in it he said that he was "knackered" which is a word I used back home to mean "very tired". I don't know if it's used in North America but I've never heard it over here before. It made me smile. Johnny seems to be an interesting mix of American and European culture and art. The best of both worlds, but not a classic American actor.
He has said, that he is truely frigtened og America in terms of raising his daughter here, and that it is not an option at all and has said, that he wants his children to see America as a broken toy.
It would be kind of funny, if he was chosen as the "todays American actor´.. one who embodies the country as we know it..." wouldn't it?
Johnny is so amazing and very different..i completely agree..I very much see Johnny as international..i love his sense of humour(i am british) and i get it when he does it....
i agree if anything he's not the all american actor. i hope he doesn't win
i still want him to win even though i don't agree hee-hee! He is an amazing actor but...well i just agree with ya'll
I totally agree with you Trish. Well said.
Also, Depp does live in France. Shouldn't someone that embodies American culture in their roles at least leave in the country?
I think many of his chacters do have an international aspect rather than a strictly american aspect. Many of his characters (Scissorhands, Sparrow) are sort of a mix of several cultures- including made-up ones.
And don't get me wrong... I am a HUGE JD fan. I adore him.
i voted for him anyway......but then again i don't know what u would call "Amarican" cause i'm Canadaian!
mahisha
I agree with you trish.
Being the best american actor probably isnt johnny's goal, it might be the goal for George clooney or Tom hanks though. If you havent noticed, johnny seems more in sync in different countries...thats part of what makes him unique:)
I agree with you. When you watch some of his films many words come to mind but rarely anything like "American culture."
I decided to vote for Johnny anyway, it's not like this is some major award.. I don't take this sort of things seriously.
Doesn't our Johnny live in LA? ... as far as I know, his daughter is attending school there, - or have I got something wrong?
I agree with captain jax.
Well if this is the criteria that journalist Mick Lasalle is working to :-America circa 2007—"Down to earth, ironic, dissatisfied, knowing, slightly apprehensive, wary, capable and a little bit angry." then I have to say Yes, Depp is all of those things. My problem is that as a Brit this is not a view of America that I hold. maybe I'm wrong.I need to add that he is also a sweet natured, generous,dedicated man who wholly believes in family and fidelity. (Now that's the American apple pie hype I'm used to hearing)
Either way I think he's the best God damn thing since sliced bread and he represents all who are trying to produce something good out of the stinking, money grabbing machine that the movie industry is.
IS AMERICA REALLY APPLE PIE AND BASEBALL???...ISN'T IT THE GREAT MELTING POT????...JOHNNY'S CHEROKEE, GERMAN AND IRISH ALL MELTED INTO ONE MASTERPIECE................AND HE'S PLAYED ROLES FROM A TO Z....A BLOND "ALL AMERICAN" ASTRONAUT IN "ASTRONAUT'S WIFE", AN AMERICAN INDIAN IN "THE BRAVE", A RED-HEADED BOY FROM FROM A SMALL AMERICAN TOWN IN "GILBERT GRAPE", CROSS-DRESSER IN "ED WOOD", A GAY MAN DRESSED AS A BEAUTIFUL WOMAN IN A CUBAN PRISON IN "BEFORE NIGHTFALLS", AN ENGLISH EARL IN "LIBERTINE", SOMETHING VERY LOVABLE THOUGH NOT QUITE HUMAN IN "EDWARD SCISSORHANDS"....I COULD GO ON FOR EVER...YOU GUYS KNOW THE REST!!!! HIS BODY OF WORK IS AS EXTENSIVE AND DIVERSIFIED AS THE CULTURE AND POPULATION OF THIS COUNTRY................ SO MR. DEPP DEFINITELY GETS MY VOTE
Hanks are Clooney represent American STEREOTYPES.
America is much more than a simplified stereotype. It a complex country, and is made up of all cultures, races, nationalities, languages, likes, dislikes, strong opinions, etc. That's why it's called a Melting Pot.
If Johnny doesn't represent a Melting Pot, then who does?
I only know that Hanks and Clooney do NOT represent the Melting Pot that America REALLY is. They only represent stereotype'd America.
It so funny this hs come up,I finally got to see Arizona Dream for the 1st time last night and all i kept thinking ws how much better someone else wld hv been in Johnny's role. Classic American actors are 1st and foremost considered to be "leading men" Johnny isn't interesting when he's trying to be the "everyman" leading man type. Hollywood still hs trble allowing him to be what he hs stated all along ,he's a character actor,period. The only movies he can be a lead effectively is Burton's becuz Burton uses outsiders as his leading characters,hence Johnny's success in Burton's movies!!
I want to know what Trish thinks of these comments so far. Both sides are very convincing. As much as I love Johnny Depp, I could care less if he wins - I don't think he'd care one way or another either.
I think they're all very good and valid points. I can definitely see how he could be considered the American ideal - whether the ideal and the reality are one and the same at this moment in history is another issue entirely. ;)
I love reading the comments you folks leave here. You're always very thoughtful and well-spoken. :)
Trish
Anonymous (about Arizona Dream)...
I TOTALLY disagree!!!
I think you are completely right Trish. He is good, but not like that, he is in his own category.Classic is not what I would call it.
Which cut of Arizona Dream did you watch?!! He was brilliant in it and it's an edgy, man who doesn't fit the slot role. Perfect. The only time I've seen that movie sold as something it's not is in the first draft trailer done for the US audience when it was called American Dreamers. You'd have thought it was a different film altogether.
psss si yo amo a johnny!!! y me encanta como actor y como persona pero no creo que ese premio sea el adecuado para el.... no porque no se lo merezca sino que muchos otros actores durante sus carreras han logrado interpretar más la cultura estadounidense.... que tiene tanto cosas buenas como malas!!!
Short and sweet, I think Johnny is in a class of his own. He is I believe one of the most controversal actors of our time. He embodies the freedom of spirit our country was built on. There is nothing "classic" about this man. He is nothing short of amazing.
In response to my prev comment:watched the DVD version of Arizona Dream.Ironically,the wedding scene that was cut out ,but was in the extras ...I thought Johnny was brilliant in,but in that section he was playing more "character" than "straight man".He just doesn't seem interesting when he's playing straightforward characters.This isn't meant to be critical of him. There are plenty of "leading men,average joe" types out there ,what makes him fun and interesting is that he's not like that.I think Johnny figured this out about himself a long time ago ,but Hollywood has trouble accepting it due to his looks. Just look at the list of movies he's turned down.It tells you a lot about how he sees himself .
What comes to mind is Johnny's comment of how he felt when America was attacked on 9-11-2001. I think he really has heartfelt feelings for his real country, and that underneath he does represent America. I am proud that he is even on the list.
I DON'T KNOW WHY THERE IS SO MANY POLLS OF ACTORS, THEY ALL GET PAID VERY WELL FOR WHAT THEY DO, AND REALLY NONE HAVE STOOD OUT, THE CLASSIC ACTORS ARE LONG GONE, NOW IT IS ALL ABOUT HOW WELL AND HOW MUCH MONEY THE MOVIE WILL MAKE IN THE FIRST NIGHT, NOT HOW THE QUALITY IS AND WILL IT BE REMEMBER 50 YEARS FROM NOW.
I THINK EVERYONE MISSED THE POINT, THE DAYS OF GREGORY PECK THE CARY GRANTS, AND GRACE KELLY ARE LONG GONE.
I think you're right. Best actor, hands down (but I'm biased,)but has a more global attitude toward his role choices. Gotta love 'im, though!
To ANONYMOUS(above me) WOW! to me Johnny depp has definetley stood out! Johnny is better than any of those people i beleive. I also agree with trish...everyone has a very well defensed opinion:)I love this site!:):):):)
To Anonymous (about Arizona Dream)
- So you think, he was brilliant in it - but not "interesting"?
- I don't get it...
JOHNNY DEPP IS NUMERO UNO IN ACTING ANYWHERE!!! He fought long and hard against accepting himself. Age helped him realize GOD made him perfect in his imperfections. We love you, Johnny. Keep up the quality work.
I completely agree with you, Trish. He's very international, very "global;" working on an international level is one of the smart choices he made that set him on the path to develop and grow into the remarkable actor he is today.
Post a Comment
Links to this post:
Create a Link
<< Home