Is it only stupid people who go to see a film because of the actors?

Question

I'm attracted to a film by storyline, characters, imagery. Three of my top 10 movies were written by the same guy. Surely the actors are in no way a guarantee of the quality of a film?! I love that line from the Modest Mouse song 'Blame It On The Tetons':
"All them eager actors, gladly take the credit, for the lines created, by the people tucked away from sight"
Anyone else out there feel like me?

Some people do seem to think they wrote their own lines. The lines between reality and fantasy become blurred to the expense of real artists.

Hello, is the username 'Absurd snob' taken? Lol.
My connection is bad so I don't know whether this went through the first time but I wanted to point out that I think some people forget that actors don't write their own lines and often the real artists get overlooked.

Hello, is the username 'Absurd snob' taken? Lol.
My connection is bad so I don't know whether this went through the first time but I wanted to point out that I think some people forget that actors don't write their own lines and often the real artists get overlooked.

Answer 1

Ah but its important to bear in mind that some actors are linked to specific film genres and character types, so its probably these which draw the viewer more than anything. Also, some actors and filmmakers collaborate a great deal and though i guess its no guarantee of quality, as an example, i'd be happy to watch any Tarantino film ever because of the director/actor link that seems to happen in so many of his films. So I guess, going to see a film because its made by a specific director is kind of similar to going to see a film which stars a certain actor. Both have the option of choosing certain storylines and characters etc. I would never personally go to see a film because of a specific actor, but it might affect how interested I am in viewing a specific film. To be honest I think part of the appeal of filmmaking/ scriptwriting etc is being out of the public eye and getting someone else to perform for you. I've written and directed short films and theres no way in hell i'd ever attempt the job of the actor!!!

Answer 2

Film is a collaborative art, so to go only for the actors OR the writers doesn't guarantee a good evening in the theater. The most influential artist in most films is the director: s/he can create the actor's performance in the editing room. S/he can also cut the script to ribbons.

When I'm choosing a film, any number of factors may get my attention: a good writer, a good director, an actor who has chosen good roles in the past. The one thing that doesn't influence me very much? Critics. This summer I've seen 3 movies that received lukewarm (at best) reviews and I liked them all. "Evening" (an amazing roster of actors, and that's what got me to the theater.) "Stardust" (because I love the work of Neil Gaiman, the writer.) "Becoming Jane" because I love Jane Austen novels and decided to take a chance. All three movies were B or B+ in my opinion--not the "B-" they averaged on Yahoo's movie site.

Answer 3

I watch a movie if it has Kevin Spacey or Al Pacino or Robert De Niro in it. Some actors are choosey about the parts or scripts they play. And the foregoing are a few of those actors. And some directors are also choosey of who will play the lead part of the movie as such actors command a high price. Which would only mean that only a well-done script will be given (and accepted) by such good actors, ergo, a good movie. Why pitch in a highly-paid actor for a lousy scripted movie? That's why, at times, I do watch some films because if I see such great names in some movies, it would mean that it's gotta be good. Sure, there are hits and misses. But it's more likely to 'hit' than 'miss'.


Edit: I totally agree with simon and mettle...and definitely AM NOT STUPID!

Answer 4

Yes. Its a stupid thing to do because every actor/actress has made a bad film. I always choose a film based on the story. Doesn't matter who's in it or what country its from. Some of the best movies I have seen star actors I have never heard of or are from Hong Kong. Most actors/actresses are overpaid and now do films for the money not because of the story line which is a shame.

Answer 5

No its not only stupid people who watch a film because of the actors- I know full well that if Jessica Simpson is the main actress that I will HATE the film. Were as I will most probably go and see a film that Ray Winstone is in.

In fact i think it is pretty stupid to think that the actor has no relevance to the film- if an actor is sh*t the film will be sh*t too. A good actor can make a bad script bearable.

Answer 6

I dont think it is stupid. The way I look at it, if you like a particular actor because you enjoyed the films they have been in, treat that like a good recommendation from a friend. It is like saying you have the same taste in movies as that particular actor so even if it doesn´t guarantee quality, it usually guarantees the film will be to your taste.

Answer 7

It's always a good idea to be as open minded as possible when it comes to viewing movies and seeing how actors take to certain roles. Like when a usual action star does a romantic comedy, for example. It's always good to broaden your horizons and not to stereotype them. Hugh Jackman, I think, is a perfect example of an actor with total diversity.

I half agree with that Modest Mouse quote, though. Screenwriters don't get as much credit as they deserve.

Answer 8

There are certain actors who are truly gifted, and it is a pleasure to watch them do their work, even if the story line isn't the best. However you tend to find that the really great actors (Robert de Niro, Al Pacino, Dustin Hoffman, Johnny Depp for example, in my opinion) don't usually accept poor scripts, so normally seeing that one of those actors is in the film is a sort of guarantee of quality.

Answer 9

I wouldn't go so far as saying the person would be stupid. Some people like the actors more than they care for storylines, characters, and plots.

How about this: Would it be equally as shallow to avoid a movie because it has Ben Affleck in it?

Answer 10

It's absurd snobbery for you to say that only stupid people go to see any given movie because of who is acting in the movie.

People choose to see movies based on a lot of different reasons, and one of those reasons has always been to see the actors and actresses in the movie.
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