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Film: Project Hail Mary

Hollywood is back.  

They managed to pull off what I didn't dream they could anymore - a crowd-pleasing four-quadrant live action film. I loved the first 1/4 to 1/2 of the film. When it becomes more like ET, less so. But that's my taste. Also, they didn't, IMO, stick the landing. Unnecessarily complicated. But overall, couldn't ask more from the studios these days.

It got me thinking about Gosling and how I perceived something in both the film and marketing. He's passed Leo in movie start status. Here's what I think it means to be a movie star: they connect with a number of different audiences. Leo became a heartthrob with Titanic and Romeo and Juliet, but became a star when he began a successful collab with Scorsese. Leo became a guy both men and women championed.

A movie star needs multiple avenues to maintain a connection with audiences and stay relevant in the public mind. This is why so many benefit from the tabloid angle. Leo had it all for a while - heartthrob, tabloids, men, and the "film buff" crowd. Scorsese was a brilliant collaborator because he helped Leo connect with both men and film buffs.  

So what has Gosling done that Leo hasn't? Gosling, I think, has found an angle with Project Hail Mary to connect to the "next generation." The kids. Leo hasn't. That's why no one watched the Oscars this year. Millions of young audiences didn't give a shit about any of it. This film (and if the new Star Wars project works) can give Gosling 10+ more years of runway.

One Battle did nothing for Leo but fan service. He already had the film buffs. This is the one problem for PTA - he has only one audience going for him - male film buffs, college/grad school types. Scorsese also appeals to working-class men.

Going through some other stars in my mind, and I observe a pattern:

Denzel. Spike Lee and the Scott Brothers. He managed to become an icon of black audiences via Spike Lee collabs, but an icon to American men by working with the Scott brothers. But the moment Denzel become a bonafide star was Julia Roberts freaking out over his Oscar. At that moment, the most trusted female star of her generation gave him the stamp of approval after their Pelican Brief collab and boom! He hit the trifeca and has never looked back. It also helped he was a Lakers fan and maintained a connection with the sports audience.

Tom Cruise. Still the GOAT movie star. Two big moves - with Top Gun Maverick, he managed to pull a Gosling before Gosling and get an entire younger generation on board with him. A family friendly action film with him front and center that kids could love. But his second great move was his own myth-making stunt gimmicks - of being an old guy who does these remarkable stunts. This is a clever way to remain public without resorting to tabloid relationship stuff, to get notice even when you don't have a hit movie. To lay groundwork.

TBC...