Examples of movies w/ leading actors supposedly romantically linked but showing no chemistry.
This started out as a Matthew McConaughey-with-anyone post, or maybe it was a Nicolas Cage post, or maybe Julia Roberts. Anyway, can you think of more examples (films / actors)?
Jada Pinkett w/ Cheadle in Reign Over Me was a little questionable, even given where their characters are supposed to be for most of the movie.
I also think this is one of Christian Bale's weaknesses as an actor.
2. "Her name is Jennifer Connelly, you will respect at least that." In response to Reply # 1
:)
She's in my top five all-time, but I haven't seen Blood Diamond so I can't say either way (though it is a weird combo at first). However, she has managed chemistry with even the likes of Billy Campbell, Jared Leto, and a stripper's ass, so I'm gonna pre-emptively blame it on the character.
21. "Isn't it just the word mope but placed in a criminal context?" In response to Reply # 19
So that when continually used by police to refer to criminals it takes on an association like perp or perpetrator? I'm sure crazier things have happened in the history of the English langauge.
23. "hmmm although I don't disagree about crazy jargon" In response to Reply # 21
it seems counter intuitive that a verb about being sulky or depressed would transmute into a noun about suspects and their alleged illegal behavior, lol.
I told my therapist that I had dreamt about Six Feet Under for two nights running after I finished watching it. He didn't even try to interpret the dreams. He's a Jungian and way into dreams, but he's also seen the whole show, so I guess he thinks that it's just normal to dream about it after the finale. lol
34. "The age difference is sixteen years." In response to Reply # 31
Regardless, age difference automatically assumes a lack of chemistry?
But I don't know how to convince you otherwise, because you saying the relationship between Bergman and Bogart doesn't work is akin to saying the movie doesn't work. Like, that's a large large part of why Casablanca is *Casablanca*
37. "RE: The age difference is sixteen years." In response to Reply # 34
The movie has A LOT less to do with their relationship than it does Rick's feelings for her. Their relationship has what, a three minute flashback montage? It's Rick's moping about over her that's got everything to do with it. I happen to love this movie. I could literally sit and watch it all day.
"Your current frequencies of understanding outweigh that which has been given for you to understand." Saul Williams
She basically defines chemistry with Clooney in Out of Sight but couldn't get a spark going with either Jesus or Wooderson, nor, presumably, with Affleck. I think a lot of chemistry has to do with the character(s)* / director but also who one actor is playing across from. I'm sure Clooney could have chemistry with a pair of tennis shoes, so that's probably why the deficiency elsewhere in her career.
*Her character in U-Turn has plenty going that she is able to bring out well enough.
13. "jet li & aaliyah in "romeo must die"" In response to Reply # 0
the big love scene was a handshake and a hug
i guess they were never really "in love" or in a relationship, but that was some of the most leaden on-screen "chemistry" (i hestitate to deem it chemistry) i've ever seen
26. "Chinese action stars and American leading actresses" In response to Reply # 13
Maybe there's something there with how male-female relationships are usually (cripplingly) portrayed amongst the two, because Jackie Chan and Jennifer Love Hewitt now comes to mind. Maybe it's an inadequacy in how American cinema represents Asian masculinity. I don't know, it's too early for a thesis.
20. "I've never seen Garden State or Closer" In response to Reply # 15
So I don't know if Natalie Portman was able to end her winless streak in either place, but in her other work and personal life even, she strikes me as all around vapid and flat. Matter fact, I guess the only time she really struck any chemistry with a leading man was with Jean Reno, which is a whole other post.
35. "I thought she was pretty good in Closer. Garden State not so much" In response to Reply # 20
>So I don't know if Natalie Portman was able to end her >winless streak in either place, but in her other work and >personal life even, she strikes me as all around vapid and >flat. Matter fact, I guess the only time she really struck >any chemistry with a leading man was with Jean Reno, which is >a whole other post.
Interesting chemistry in V for Vendetta as well. Terrible accent though.
33. "Deniro is weak here too." In response to Reply # 0
He always shakes people he's supposed to care about. Like the woman in Heat and even little Michael in Godfather II. Everytime I watch that scene after he kills the neighborhood boss, it bothers me how he shakes that baby.
36. "I'll have to rewatch Godfather II for that." In response to Reply # 33
I guess he is known less for tender roles, and maybe when he tries 'em, they come off as kinda hard-bitten still (which works to a wonderful degree in Raging Bull, for instance.) However, I don't think it's a big knock on his career. I mean, he had a weird kind of anti-chemistry chemistry with Bridget Fonda in Jackie Brown, and I recall his scenes with Uma Thurman in Mad Dog working well enough (despite the limitations of the script--and Uma Thurman).
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