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The Six Billion Dollar Ham

RICK GROEN

From Saturday's Globe and Mail

Latest comment posted at 12:31 PM EDT 18/05/08

Harrison Ford has managed to deliver some of Hollywood's most lucrative franchises. He has only two tricks in his bag, writes Rick Groen, but he pulls them off brilliantly. ...Read the full article

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  1. Derek Holtom from Swan River, Canada writes: i'm surprised the Globe even bothers reviewing movies such as this.
  2. anony miss from toronto, Canada writes: ooh, a cinema fan. Pardon us.
  3. robert quinn from Japan writes: Pardon the pedantry, but if memory serves, Harrison actually asked Martin to 'terminate the colonel's command.' It was the excellently creepy, albino-haired 'intelligence' spook on the stool who added the 'extreme prejudice' clarification. Still, I thought it was a rather nice turn from Ford: How to be a lickspittle with dignity. That's how you rise in any corporation.
  4. mighty conan from Calgary, Canada writes: His performance in The Fugitive was among his best. Rarely do remakes of classics hold a candle to the original. He & Tommy Lee Jones were on fire. The next Indy is being anticipated with some relish...
  5. H to the IMMO from toronto, Canada writes: This seems ridiculously bitter. Snarky even. What the heck are you thinking - who's going to read this reductive take-down and buy it? Ford has defined what it is to be an movie star since the mid seventies. Get over the fact that you didn't get an interview and write something insightful about the film already.
  6. neil m from Canada writes: What's wrong with the 'let's pretend' school of acting? As I recall, that's the same school to which Olivier and many other unquestionably great actors belong.
  7. michael ryan from Stonington, United States writes: Great review by Rick Groen. I was disappointed to come to the end. The moment he describes, when anti-heroes were replaced by heroes, is really important in US cultural history, and it's interesting to hear his analysis of HF's role. It was a moment when complexity was replaced by simplicity, and HF's acting style certainly accomplishes that. It also meant a certain simple-mindedness, and HF's 'all-american-ness' in many ways embodies that--the wry but not terribly bright smirk, the mindless determination to attain unreflective action adventure ends--coupled with the surprisingly benighted yet predictable and frightening racism and simple ignorance regarding that strange extra-terrestrial world outside US borders. Not all HF's fault, of course. Producers and directors and writers stand behind him. But he does a good job of summing it all up. So he may not be a good actor, but he certainly shows us why some in the US act as they do.
  8. Tom Gapic from Hat Yai, Thailand writes: Between the hooded gaze and the broad grin, there was also an intensity that literally shook, not unlike James Stewart in his work in Anthony Mann's Westerns. Oh, and, for my money, it was the movie Witness that really won over a lot of fans.
  9. Tom Coatsworth from Blenheim, Ontario, Canada writes: It may be tempting to portray Ford as a two note actor - but not accurate. His trademark crooked smile is the first clue - it tells us two things simultaneously. Most actors are lucky to convey one. Ford often has three or four things to say before he utters a word. When he does he speak often underacts until the bigger scenes when he hits it right on the nose, making for a bigger impact. Only the best actors are on to this trick.
  10. elainehr - from Canada writes: Witness, Regarding Henry, and Working Girl were terrific movies.
    I'm going to see Indiana Jones just because he is in it. I'm not really a fan of sequels.

    You are too hard on him. He still has star power.
  11. Ryan Ginger from Ottawa, Canada writes: Michael Ryan writes: 'The moment he describes, when anti-heroes were replaced by heroes, is really important in US cultural history...It was a moment when complexity was replaced by simplicity, and HF's acting style certainly accomplishes that.'

    Simplistic cultural criticism, Michael: Film = politics, right? You've regressed to that vulgar notion of art 'reflecting' politics. It absolutely makes my skin crawl every time I hear that old saw. Audiences are active. They make meanings that may or may not conform to the expectations of the producers. An extreme (no pun intended) example that comes to mind is the way Muslim fundamentalists have edited the violent and heroic segments of Rambo films into pro-terrorist propaganda.
  12. Brad Simkulet from Canada writes: As one of the rare Harrison Ford fans -- I have a tattoo inspired by him if that is any indication how big a fan I am -- I think Mr. Groen gave us a respectful and insightful look at Harrison Ford the movie star, but I think he missed one of the most important pieces of Harrison Ford the actor: Peter Weir's Mosquito Coast. That film was, arguably, Ford's greatest performance, and it came under the direction of the man who gave Ford John Book in Witness. Ford's Allie Fox was complex: a creative, manic, loving, tyrannical, frustrated, bitter, stong, painfully troubled, destructive man who leads his family out of the American dream to build his own society. Ford captured everything that was Allie Fox, doing Paul Theroux's book justice, but confounding his fans in the process. And this should be very important to Mr. Groen's article, particularly as it addresses why fans have never quite accepted Ford -- it is because we sense his frustration. Ford turned in the performance of his career in Mosquito Coast and it was a bomb at the box office. Fans hated it, and hated him for making it. He proved he had more than Groen's two gears, but we didn't want any more than the two. We wanted Indy and Han and nothing else, so when he gave us Allie Fox we rejected him, forcing him into the roles of Jack Ryan and Dr. Richard Kimball to win us back. Ford never seemed to enjoy his work after the rejection of Allie Fox, but who can blame him? One hopes he will get it back with the Crystal Skull, and maybe he'll finally be given a chance to move into the sorts of roles that give him satisfaction. (an important sidebar: Mosquito Coast has further evidence of Ford's true quality: his relationship with River Phoenix, whom Ford mentored through his career (check out Phoenix's impersonation of Ford in Last Crusade. Very funny stuff). Phoenix was the type of actor Ford might have been, and Ford helped insure that Phoenix didn't fall into his trap. If only Phoenix were alive today...who knows?)
  13. A Smith from Toronto, Canada writes: Brad - I also thought of Mousquito Coast while reading this (pretty damn good) tribute to HF. I think it's one of his best, if not his best film.
  14. Gerald Olchowy from Ottawa, Canada writes: EXACTLY SPOT ON. Allie Fox was a tour-de-force, but the 'fans' would have nothing of Harrison actually acting.

    //As one of the rare Harrison Ford fans -- I have a tattoo inspired by him if that is any indication how big a fan I am -- I think Mr. Groen gave us a respectful and insightful look at Harrison Ford the movie star, but I think he missed one of the most important pieces of Harrison Ford the actor: Peter Weir's Mosquito Coast. That film was, arguably, Ford's greatest performance, and it came under the direction of the man who gave Ford John Book in Witness. Ford's Allie Fox was complex: a creative, manic, loving, tyrannical, frustrated, bitter, stong, painfully troubled, destructive man who leads his family out of the American dream to build his own society. Ford captured everything that was Allie Fox, doing Paul Theroux's book justice, but confounding his fans in the process. And this should be very important to Mr. Groen's article, particularly as it addresses why fans have never quite accepted Ford -- it is because we sense his frustration. Ford turned in the performance of his career in Mosquito Coast and it was a bomb at the box office. Fans hated it, and hated him for making it. He proved he had more than Groen's two gears, but we didn't want any more than the two. //
  15. Matt Toma from Vancouver, Canada writes: If you have played Han Solo and Indiana Jones, you will always be an icon to a generation, no matter what the pretentious film snob community has to say about the matter.

    Sometimes people want filet mignon, sometimes they want a Big Mac. At least food critics dont usually try to judge the latter on the merits of the former, and can recognize the difference.
  16. Wanda Fyooka from Vancouver, Canada writes: Much ado about very little!
  17. Rain Couver from Canada writes: Wow, the pretension on these posts is palpable.

    It is funny that he is compared to many actors of the same generation, namely Deniro and Pacino, who, at this point are only good at acting like themselves. There was a time their acting was considered the best, but how many times do we need to hear Pacino scream. Or how about Deniro give that same look, you know the one I am talking about.

    It doesn't matter that, economically, Harrison Ford is a better gamble for the studios because his returns far outshine Deniro and Pacino combined by being part of three of the largest franchises in Hollywood history, don't (forget the Jack Ryan stuff). It doesn't matter that his ability to act, and I am sure I am going to get flack for this one, is physically better than Pacino or Deniro because the emotion he conveys just with his eyes is far superior, and fits the medium far better since it is a visual but he is able to to do the action (well, maybe less nowadays). A director's dream. And yes, he has shown to be an outstanding actor in Witness, The Mosquito Coast and Regarding Henry because, as tough as most of his characters may be, he is able to show a sensitivity that reminds me of Humphrey Bogart, instead of the cold hearted gangsters that Pacino and Deniro constantly play, although Deniro takes himself significantly less seriously, if you saw Stardust.

    So many people have such disdain for Harrison Ford, a man who was discovered building a set for the movie that would eventually immortalize him, so he represents everyman, the one people can most relate and sympathize.
  18. There's a War between those who say there's a War and those who say there isn't from Canada writes: robert quinn from Japan writes: Pardon the pedantry, but if memory serves, Harrison actually asked Martin to 'terminate the colonel's command.' It was the excellently creepy, albino-haired 'intelligence' spook on the stool who added the 'extreme prejudice' clarification. Still, I thought it was a rather nice turn from Ford: How to be a lickspittle with dignity. That's how you rise in any corporation.

    _______________________________________

    Well spotted Bruce

    Harrison Ford a great AMERICAN acto.

    Let's not forget his recurring roles as Jack ' what's his name' as the CIA agent and as the US President in Air Force One - 'Get off of my plane!'
  19. Bruce Banner from Toronto, Canada writes: Rain Couver from Canada writes: 'It is funny that he is compared to many actors of the same generation, namely Deniro and Pacino, who, at this point are only good at acting like themselves.'

    I love it! Well said indeed sir. May I also add Jack Nicholson to that list?
  20. Tina Marcroft from Los Angeles, United States writes: Awww! Poor Harrison. Always had the artsy critics and actors ragging on him. I agree with Neil though. What's wrong with the 'Let's Pretend' acting? I am definitely an avid moviegoer who loves the indies but I understand there are advantages and disadvantages to both schools of acting. I mean how ridiculous and cheesy (in a bad, non-kitsch way) would Indiana Jones have been with a serious method actor in it?

    Not liking 'Let's Pretend' (sorry I forget the 'correct' term for this acting... there is like a four-letter acronym right? I still can't think of it...) means you must not like a lot of Brit actors who subscribe to this school. (I have been obsessed with Brit TV miniseries lately, ha ha.) Lots o' great Brit actors who fall into this school would be thus be shrugged off. Sad. :( Method acting would be good for subtle modern dramas... nothing else in my opinion.
  21. The NeoCynic from Cayman Islands writes: The 'success' of Harrison Ford as an 'actor' proves the point that with enough marketing, enough spin, and with the trained seals we have for movie reviewers in the media, you could put a hat on a large zucchini and it could garner at least an Academy Award nomination for best actor.
  22. Vivian Moreau from Victoria, Canada writes: An excellent analysis, Rick. Thanks for making me ponder something more than do I want sausages or bacon this morning.
  23. Be Green from Kelowna, Canada writes: Nothing like Rick Groen to take all the fun out of something.
    What happened to enjoying these types of films for what they are?
    Pure, entertaining escapism - they do not need to be picked apart by curmudgenonly pretentious reviewers. They were always designed as an homage to the 40's movie serials, if I remember correctly, and they are that and more.
    As to Harrison Ford's acting, I have enjoyed his work for many years, and am looking forward to this final Indy installment.
    I only just recently saw The Devil's Own, and thought his performance was outstanding, in a mediocre film.
    For those of you going to see Indy next week - ENJOY!!!!
  24. Michael Richardson from OakvilleMontreal, Canada writes: By far, Regarding Henry is my favourite of Ford's films. I'm a grown man, but that last scene gets me everytime.
  25. Craig Cooper from Toronto, writes: All acting is pretending. Ever been on a set?
  26. Spiffy Spiff from Canada writes: Oh, how outrageous! Why would millions and millions of people around the world want to go to the movies to have a good time, when they could be paying to watch actors vomit their psychological innards instead?

    I'll start applauding all those lying Method actors when they start asking for real bullets on set, and asking the Laurence Oliviers of the world to start yanking out some real teeth from the 'I just ran a country mile to hit my mark' Dustin Hoffmans of the world.

    Harrison Ford personifies what 'movie-magic' is all about. He is THE 'movie-magic' icon. There isn't an actor within a Dustin Hoffman country mile capable of usurping that, even from a 65 year old man! And all he expects in return is that his audience have a rollicking good time for their $12.

    Is that really such a bad thing, Rick? To the odd Rick Groens of the world, maybe. But to millions and millions, and generation after generation, of people around the world for over thirty years, they beg to differ, Rick.

    Take a bow HF for a job well done. Your legions of fans around the world applaud you!

    With thanks for Han Solo, Indy, and Jack Ryan, 'La franchise, c'est VOUS!'

    Pass the popcorn.

    And Rick, you might want to go see a plastic surgeon about getting your nose that's so out of joint fixed. It might help you breathe easier so you won't need so much gripe water.

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