The excellent Director Mike Leigh who bases his films around altogether real and believable characters, has been openly criticising the interfering ways of Hollywood during the film making process. Allegedly he has turned down major actors to appear in his movies because of the negative influence they would have. In IMDB today he says:
“The reality of Hollywood is non-negotiable and non-viable. My producer comes back and says, ‘They don’t mind that there is no script and they know you can do it, but they will insist on a name or two.’ And that means having actors imposed upon me who have no reason to be there and who are not going to be disposed to my methods. The guys in Hollywood interfere at every stage because big dosh (money) is at stake and they have to justify their a*ses. It would be a nightmare. It’s giving me the heebie-jeebies just talking about it.”
Brilliant Mike, go for it. I really do like the fact that he’s speaking his mind and openly talking against the overly bureaucratic and cash led ways of Hollywood. Just look at the success he’s enjoying and the quality he produces while managing to stick closely to his beliefs and his cinematic vision. He’s making the movies he wants to in the way he sees they should be, and here he is with Vera Drake being tipped for Oscar nomination.
Saying that, it would be good to see some major talent under his direction, and I mean complete direction and on his terms. I wonder how much more he could bring out of them, or perhaps how much he couldn’t!
He just needs to strongly suggest what would be best for the film! I don’t know how often that works though (if at all).
Two things:
1 – It’s not his money, but investors have to understand what they’re investing in. It’s like commissioning a mural by Picasso because he’s a big famous artist, and then complaining that the faces don’t look realistic. People who want to force big names into his pics don’t understand what they’re investing in, and should probably be investing in some Soderburgh or Spielberg or something.
2 – You don’t think Leigh was working with major talent when he worked with Imelda Staunton? I know she’s not exactly Hollywood “A” list, but she makes most “A” list actresses look like they’re in a high school play.
Mike Leigh has a point to a degree. But the fact is this: It’s not his money to spend. So if this bothers him so much, perhaps he should spend his own millions (if he gots it) to make his own movies.
Number 1 rule of business: Don’t directly tell your investor how they should be spending their money. It’s their money, not yours. How do you like it when people tell you how you should be spending your money?