Tuesday 19 May 2009

Playing gay, being gay


24 November 2005

This well might be the Year of the Gay at the Oscars. Not the year of the gay actor - heavens forbid - but the year when actors are rewarded for playing gay parts. Philip Seymour Hoffman has produced what is said to be a virtuoso account of Truman Capote's mincing style in Capote. Felicity Huffman, the put-upon one in Desperate Housewives, has been persuaded to play a male-to-female transvestite in Transamerica. And Annie Proulx's great short story, Brokeback Mountain, about an extended and tragic love affair between two cowboys, has been filmed by Ang Lee with Heath Ledger and Jake Gyllenhaal in the leads.

Oscars surely await some of these. There are half a dozen other big name actors playing gay roles this season, and it's evidently now a safe career move. It's worth noting, however, that none of these actors themselves is gay, and indeed most of them have been at some pains to distance themselves from any such suggestion. Michelle Williams, the mother of Ledger's child, appears in Brokeback Mountain as his character's betrayed wife. That, one must assume, could only happen when there was no possibility whatever of it being, for instance, a sardonic joke on a real-life gay affair. The casting of Williams is a spectacular example of the sexual alibi; for anyone who cares to wonder, we are reassured that this could only be a piece of "let's pretend", and the actor's real interests are nervously displayed on screen.

As if that wasn't enough, the actors in these films are always at pains to stress the incredible trauma involved in having to pretend to kiss a person of the same sex in front of cameras. To be fair, this is always a subject that unhealthily obsesses interviewers, but actors' responses are often highly amusing. Jake Gyllenhaal has said: "Heath and I were both saying, 'Let's get the love scenes over as fast as we can - all right, cool. Let's get to the important stuff.'"

We are left in no doubt at all. The actors in these films are so extraordinarily heterosexual that playing gay presents them with incredible challenges. Personally, I've spent a day down a working coal mine, and think that, as jobs go, being asked to snog Heath Ledger is not among the world's more demanding professional tasks.

But Hollywood, evidently, agrees with the actors. When you look at recent Oscars, the tendency is fairly clear. Tom Hanks - famously uxorious - won for playing a gay man in Philadelphia. Hilary Swank's burlesque turn as a transsexual teen in Boys Don't Cry followed, and then Charlize Theron won for the fat, ugly, lesbian serial killer in Monster. Of course, as is customary, some of the Oscar-winning credit goes to the make-up artist here - golly, look at Charlize, she's made herself all ugly - but most of it is surely down to the incredible fact that an artist was prepared to demean herself enough to play a lesbian.

When you look at the history of Oscar-winning performances, Hollywood's new enthusiasm for embracing minorities seems less than profound. Notoriously, the easiest way to win an Oscar is to play somebody bravely fighting against a physical condition or a mental handicap. The easiest route of all, in fact, is to play a gifted artist suddenly struck down by disability - the early years of the Academy awards are littered with long-forgotten tales of deaf sopranos and ballerinas with gout. As the "Kate Winslet" character in Ricky Gervais's series Extras scabrously observed, "Daniel Day-Lewis in My Left Foot? Oscar. Dustin Hoffman, Rain Man? Oscar. Seriously, you are guaranteed an Oscar if you play a mental."

The way Hollywood is rushing to reward heterosexual actors playing gay roles does not, really, reflect very well on its engagement. It is just too much like its fairly disgraceful engagement with mental and physical disability, and too much like rewarding a variety turn. Hollywood, so admiring of an actor's ability to project a sexuality not his own in these cases, has never been in a hurry to reward those far more common examples of gay actors convincingly playing heterosexual roles. In most cases, that involves rather more than the requirement of kissing this year's starlet in front of the cameras - a requirement no less or more demanding for a gay actor than Mr Gyllenhaal being asked to kiss Mr Ledger, surely. It may involve an actor's whole life.

One of the very striking things about this whole curious fashion is that not one of the actors involved is gay themselves. Moreover, it seems fairly likely, in view of the tone of the attendant publicity, that a studio just wouldn't cast a gay actor in one of these roles. It is quite impossible to imagine Heat magazine asking a gay actor how they enjoyed kissing their straight co-star, or indeed, their gay co-star. It would raise questions of enthusiasm which the world of publicity is not quite ready for and we can only, it seems, watch such kisses with the assurance, as swift as can be arranged, that nobody involved could possibly have derived pleasure from it.

But there's another, rather bigger reason why the studios wouldn't cast a gay actor in such a role. In America, evidently, there aren't any gay actors. One may grow rather satirical on the subject, but the truth is that whereas in every other country in the world it is widely accepted that theatre and film offer a congenial and sympathetic area in which gay men and women can work, this is simply not true in America. There are no gay actors - or at least, there weren't until Nathan Lane, to everyone's utter incredulity, came out. Of course, there were gay actors in America's past - James Dean, Cary Grant, Dirk Bogarde, Rock Hudson, Danny Kaye. Plenty of them, in fact. But, for whatever reason, there's hardly a single gay actor of recognisable stature working in Hollywood. An incredible fact.

Sooner or later, one of those non-existent gay actors will take a role as a gay character, and tell us all subsequently how difficult they found kissing their co-star, to general derisive hilarity. In fact, it's not hard to think of a recent film where exactly that situation arose, starring one of those gentlemen with a boyfriend on the payroll and a lady hired for the purpose of premieres. But Hollywood will only seem truly tolerant when it allows gay actors to play gay roles, kissing included, and no whining about it in the publicity afterwards. Until then there's - how should one put it - a slight air of Al Jolson about the whole business.

Source: Gay for today by Philip Hensher, The Guardian

1,855 comments:

«Oldest   ‹Older   1801 – 1855 of 1855
Anonymous said...

Wasn't there a waiter who served them, Jake and Austin, and said they were touching "provocatively"?

There's a guy on DC, lives in LA, some of the other DCF's have met him, but I can't remember his name, who wrote about it on a DC thread. His friend was a waiter who saw them. He's also seen Jake at other places too, and well uh, let's just say Jake has good gaydar.
/

Are there any more details?

Anonymous said...

"Do people actually still post at the DCF? I dpn't just mean that pathetic eyelash crap but the site? Cullen is an asshole and that site is beyond sad."

At least they fired Melisande. That's the creepiest chick I've ever met.

Anonymous said...

How do you fire someone that volunteered to mod?Mods aren't on the payroll, no one there is.

I heard she quit due toher dwindling interest in the BBM fandom.

Anonymous said...

No shit Sherlock@6:27.

This just in: A bear shits in the woods and the Pope is Catholic.


Poor Cantara, she hates you people but you are the only ones that visit her shitty blog, or should I say poor Brokies!


I

Anonymous said...

7:09 You met her?? Speaking of crepy, whatever happened to Adrian?

Anonymous said...

7:20 PM, why are you hanging with us then?

Anonymous said...

Liza reminds me of Laura Linney--but with shorter hair.

Anonymous said...

there's another brother in NYC.

Anonymous said...

Someone mentioned that Adrian left DCF and is running Hollywood...something gossip forum.

Anonymous said...

"there's another brother in NYC"

Stephen has two brothers?

Anonymous said...

OOhhhhh, Stephen has TWO brothers, imagine that, a man has two brothers. And he lives in NY, wow amazing.

Doesn't take much to get you excited. Bet you get excited watching paint dry.

Anonymous said...

"7:20 PM, why are you hanging with us then?"

Yeah, good question. Maybe 7:20 is Naomi.

Anonymous said...

7:40 PM, don't just stand there, tell us about NYC brother.

Anonymous said...

"Are there any more details?"

Its on an older thread from 2006 about gay lifestles or growing up gay something like that, written by a guy who has his 1st name as part of his sn, or LA in his sn. Sorry can't remember.

Anonymous said...

never met brother but he has a college age daughter. i think they're the poor relations.

Anonymous said...

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm2672472/

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm2672472/resume

The Reign in Spain is Gay-Friendly said...

Wow it's so true you learn something new every day. Am I the only one who didn't know that along with being very liberal, that Spain has gay marriage? They also require the judges to perform the ceremonies whether they agree with gay marriage or not. Damn, Spain FTW all the way!

Jakey said...

Fucking Austin is never boring.

Anonymous said...

Austin at least put out.

Anonymous said...

I wonder if Austin and Heath ever crossed path?

Anonymous said...

Jakey said...
Fucking Austin is never boring."

That's why you’re looking for another fuckbuddy in LA, right under Austin’s nose, Jakey? JG Francis? ;)

Anonymous said...

Austin wasn't there for Jake in his time of needs. It's his fault Jake wasted his time on Francis.

Anonymous said...

8:19 PM Molly Gyllenhaal writes too.

IMDb

Anonymous said...

I wonder if Austin and Heath ever crossed path? /

Maybe in NYC?

Anonymous said...

Re. Jake & Michelle - I remember I was really surprised how close they seemed to be at the Toronto press conference. Jake was sitting next to her and always pulled her micro nearer to her so "pregnant Michelle" didn't have to lean to much forward. I thought that was nice. And she stroke his back when he said something embarassing. Really they gave me a close friends vibe. I'm not saying they ever dated, if so, then it was probably as harmless as the Heath/Kiki thing (only friends, who had a few harmless dates).
But I didn't really care about Jake and Michelle at the time, it's just something I noticed. I was more interested in Heath and Jake and I found them and their interactions so cute. I also always liked the idea of Jake and Anne Hathaway.

Anonymous said...

I think Michelle is a very nice person, Jake likes her and he felt protective :)

Natalie and James Franco said...

It was just announced that Natalie Portman would be joining James Franco and Danny McBride in the upcoming comedy Your Highness direct by David Gordon Green, but we didn’t need to hear it from them, because we heard it straight from McBride himself plus a whole lot more! They’re taking the film very seriously. They’re even considering casting someone along the lines of Sir Ian McKellen as the wizard! Apparently, aside from Portman, Franco, and McBride they’re going for an entirely English cast to make the film look real.

Find out more about the tone of the film, McBride’s character, who is directing, casting and more below…

link

Anonymous said...

"I think Michelle is a very nice person, Jake likes her and he felt protective :)"

I think so too.

Anonymous said...

"It was just announced that Natalie Portman would be joining James Franco and Danny McBride in the upcoming comedy Your Highness direct by David Gordon Green."

Should be interesting.

Anonymous said...

Natalie is very busy:

Portman is currently starring with Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Rainn Wilson in the Spencer Susser-directed "Hesher," which marks Portman's feature debut as a producer under her banner, Handsomecharlie Films.

She will next be seen in the Jim Sheridan-directed "Brothers," with Tobey Maguire and Jake Gyllenhaal, which is due out in December. Portman just wrapped the Don Roos-directed "Love and Other Impossible Pursuits."

Variety

Anonymous said...

8:36 AM, great for Natalie that she's so sought after. I have to say, I'm not that big a fan of her as an actress (the only role I liked her in is Leon when she was a kid). But I'm still looking forward to Brothers. I heard she and Jake have amazing chemistry. Jake supposedly likes her very much.

Anonymous said...

What's not to like? :)

Jake said...

And Nat loves me very much! *Can't wait to meet James.*

Anonymous said...

"What's not to like? :)"

IDK. She's just not my type of actress. I enjoy Anne Hathaway and Kate Winslet (I loved her since Titanic) very much as actresses. I'm just not to fond of Natalie as an actress. I guess people just have different tastes. :)

Anonymous said...

^^to = too

Anonymous said...

"And Nat loves me very much! *Can't wait to meet James.*"

Ha. ;)

Anonymous said...

Jake is friends with Natalie for 12 years.

"When Jake was 16, he and the family would be invited to a 51st birthday party for President Clinton, hosted by the recently married Ted Danson and Mary Steenburgen. Jake would here forge a close friendship with First Daughter Chelsea Clinton, his other buddies including Natalie Portman and Bryce Dallas Howard."

Anonymous said...

"Bryce Dallas Howard"

I think she's so gross looking. I can't help it.

Anonymous said...

Gross?!?

Bryce Dallas Howard

Anonymous said...

"Gross?!?

Bryce Dallas Howard"

Yes, creepy and gross. IMO of course.

Jake said...

(((Bryce)))

Anonymous said...

Unfortunately not everyone can look as good as Natalie Portman.

Anonymous said...

Austin wasn't there for Jake in his time of needs. It's his fault Jake wasted his time on Francis."

Um, this is your theory. All we know for sure is that Jake tried to hookup with Francis.

Anonymous said...

All we know for sure is that Jake tried to hookup with Francis..

According to this Francis guy Jake tried to hook up with him. Who know if it's true. We know nothing for sure.

Jakey said...

"I wonder if Austin and Heath ever crossed path?"

Once almost, arriving/leaving thru my bedroom door. Sheesh, that was a close call!

Jakey said...

"That's why you’re looking for another fuckbuddy in LA, right under Austin’s nose, Jakey? JG Francis?'

Hey just because I'm on a diet doesn't mean I can't look at the menu!

(..and *cough* take a taste sample every once in a while...but don't tell Austin, cos he thinks I'm doing really good with my diet...)

Anonymous said...

How great would it have been if Heath was gay and with Jake. Jake would have cooked him meals and since both like sports, Jake could have joined Heath when he went skateboarding or surfing and Heath could have joined Jake for bike riding tours. They would have laughed together a lot and maybe Heath wouldn't have needed anti depressiva/anxiety and sleeping pills and all that crap and would be still alive today? Oh well.

Anonymous said...

LOL Jakey

Anonymous said...

Skateboarding

Anonymous said...

"According to this Francis guy Jake tried to hook up with him. Who know if it's true."

I think it's true.

Anonymous said...

but don't tell Austin, cos he thinks I'm doing really good with my diet /

No problem Jake, our lips are sealed!

Spanish Supreme Court Forces Judge to marry Gay couples said...

Am I the only one who didn't know that along with being very liberal, that Spain has gay marriage? /

No :)

"If you still think about Spain as a conservative, Catholic country you can change your mind. Spain is one of the most liberal and secular countries on the planet now, up there with The Netherlands. Gambling, prostitution, are either legal or losely regulated. Even downloading movies and music is legal in Spain. And gay marriage is of course, legal as well. But today a controversy arose when a judge said that, as a Catholic, he objected to marry gay people. Newspaper El Pais reports Judge Pablo de la Rubia asked if he could possibly be excused from marrying gay couples.

Surprisingly he was told by the Supreme Court that he had to marry gay couples whether he approved of their marriage or not. The argument went that because it´s legal for gay people to get married as a judge it´s part of his job to marry them. While I see the logic to the argument I think the Supreme Court´s position is too extreme. If Judge De la Rubia thinks it´s wrong for gay people to get married, he should be excused from marrying gay people. Why? For a simple reason that has nothing to do with the law. His demeanor may spoil what could be the happiest moment in the couple´s life. There are enough other judges who will be happy to do the job. The problem with gay marriage, whether in Spain or USA is that the debate many times centers around legal principles. And while doing this people in government forget that what gay marriage is, is the desire of two people to at least try, to live happily ever after."

Horny Jake said...

"No problem Jake, our lips are sealed!"

Good thing because mine aren't, heh!

Anonymous said...

If the Francis thing is true (and I suspect it is) then no wonder Reese tags along with Jake as much as she can and holds his hand like a little kid's wherever they go. Along with his bearding and her self-promotion, she's helping him help save himself. The Francis story showed that, when he's alone, Jake doesn't seem to have any problem making a connection.

Without Reese by his side 80% of the time, god only knows how many more long lingering looks, phone numbers and hookups he would be doing, plus since TT/Jake likes sex in public, how much official legal trouble and gossip it could land him into if he was caught. I bet this Francis fracas probably already caused a few problems, who knows if he got paid off to delete the post and keep quiet.

I'm thinking maybe the Chin has a little deal on the side with Disney's Katzenberg, to keep Jakey's sexual predilections and indiscretions from making the 6 o'clock news, at least until POP. Maybe that's why the bearding with Reeke seemingly spending 24 hours a day together is way over the top, because Reese IS spending as much time as she can with Jake because she's his gay hookup prevention watchdog. For Jake's sake but to protect herself, most of all. Everyone talks about how in the fauxmance/bearding that Jake could never dump Reese and make her look bad, and that she won't dump Jake because she wants an easy PR boyfriend. But the one thing that would blow the showmance and their reputations all to hell would be if Jake was caught and publicly outed. Reese isn't going to allow that to happen to her investment.

Anonymous said...

Reese is by Jake's side 0,1 % of the time, photo ops and promotion trips don't take much time.

One of the reasons for bearding and "heterosexual" image is to have more freedom and opportunity for gay hookups.

Hollywood is full of closeted actors and actresses - it's next to impossible to really out them.

«Oldest ‹Older   1801 – 1855 of 1855   Newer› Newest»