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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsWhy Clint Eastwood Is Ridiculously Overrated
Feb 23, 2010 5:42 PM EST
After re-watching all 35 Eastwood movies in a new DVD set, Allen Barra marvels at their mundane artlessness and decries Clint worship in all its forms.
Twenty-some years ago, when I worked for the Village Voice, while waiting outside the office of the arts editor, I was astonished to overhear a conference call that included the editor, the Voice's lead film critic, and none other than... Clint Eastwood. He had called to not only thank them for a favorable review but to invite them to a film festival where he was appearing. Surely no Republican was ever so sacred in the pages of the country's best-known boho leftist paper.
Really, how many of these films would you ever want to see again? How many of them did you really think were all that good the first time you saw them, if you saw them?
How, I wondered then, did Clint Eastwood do it? I still wonder. Has any American filmmaker of such mundane talents become not only a mainstream Hollywood icon but the darling of so many Eastern seaboard critics? In a 2002 biography by Patrick McGilligan, Eastwood is quoted as saying sometime in the early '90s, "I will never win an Oscar, and do you know why? First of all, because I'm not Jewish. Secondly, I make too much money for all those old farts in the Academy." Now, after winning more Oscars than Steven Spielberg and Woody Allen—it is probably true, as David Thomson wrote in the third edition of his Biographical Dictionary of Film, "Clint Eastwood is among the very few Americans admired and respected at home and abroad, without qualification or irony."
Then, there's no reason why Eastwood should be regarded with more irony than can be found in his films. Last week, Clint Eastwood: 35 Films 35 Years at Warner Bros. was released, "highlighting," as the press release tells us, "the breadth and depth of his work." What is actually highlighted in the collection is how amazingly devoid nearly all of them are from any trace of irony, nuance, or anything that is normally associated with art.
<snip>
http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2010/02/23/why-clint-eastwood-is-ridiculously-overrated.html
I've never liked Eastwood either as an actor- he's absurdly one dimensional and wooden- or as a director. As a director, he's plodding and linear and devoid of humor. I haven't found a single film he's directed enjoyable or even watchable.
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Fumesucker
(45,851 posts)Which is why you didn't understand Akin was going to stay in the race come hell or high water and the levee breaking.
I wouldn't call Eastwood a great director but he's competent and his movies often appeal to popular tastes, he understands quite a bit about America and Americans and what they like and don't like.
cali
(114,904 posts)you're right, I (and a lot of others) thought the GOP would force Akin out. so what?
My being from Vermont has nothing to do with why I don't care for Eastwood as an actor or director. That probably has a lot more to do with my being brought up in CA and CT by "egghead" parents who were both educated abroad.
Fumesucker
(45,851 posts)However I grew up in the heart of Red America and still live here, I understand today's Republicans better than you ever will because I'm surrounded by them, day in and day out.
randome
(34,845 posts)Fumesucker
(45,851 posts)Reading is fundamental.
randome
(34,845 posts)Other than the Sergio Leone movies, I can take him or leave him. Those movies were magnificent but that was more because of Leone's direction than anything else.
Whisp
(24,096 posts)The poster collections here are great too.
The movies themselves never did do much for me. They were all pretty well the same, as I recall.
randome
(34,845 posts)Great music and great cinematography together make a great experience.
Yes, they were somewhat alike.
Bonobo
(29,257 posts)cali
(114,904 posts)I found it formulaic and tedious- though in all fairness, I have a strong bias against westerns; they've bored me silly since I was a small child.
Bonobo
(29,257 posts)It was gorgeous to look at and created an anti-hero that is hard to forget.
Eastwood deserves tremendous credit for it.
mattclearing
(10,091 posts)cali
(114,904 posts)I don't generally like sweeping, and I'm more into everyday people than heroes. I like character driven and dialog driven. Action tends to leave me cold.
Bonobo
(29,257 posts)His character was the main focus as a matter of fact.
dsc
(52,161 posts)randome
(34,845 posts)
sendero
(28,552 posts)... like pop music, all about "high art". Sure some aspire to be it and some achieve it but those that do don't make much money because they are over the average person's head.
I like to separate the "artist" from his/her work because time and time again when I have delved into the personal lives of some of my 'heroes' I find them not to be particularly exemplary as human beings. For example, my favorite classical composer, Igor Stravinsky, was a rabid wingnut.
That said, I like Clint Eastwood and most of his movies. Is he a "great" actor? No. A "great" director? I'm less qualified to assess on that front but probably No. But many of his movies are quite adept at tapping into the Zeitgeist of the times, he knows how to create iconic characters and folks who dismiss him might be biased by what they perceive his politics to be.
randome
(34,845 posts)I can't say I'm a 'fan' of anyone. But I admire some works and I admire some people.
meaculpa2011
(918 posts)I love Lauren Bacall, a lifelong liberal Democrat. I love Irene Dunne, a lifelong Republican.
High Plains Drifter, Pale Rider and The Outlaw Josey Wales are among the best films ever made.
My opinion... and also the opinion of Orson Welles.
exboyfil
(17,862 posts)from action hero was being in a movie that celebrated adultery (The Bridges of Madison County). A movie (and book) that I find vile in the extreme (so does my wife). I live a few blocks from the university that Waller taught at and took a sabbatical while writing that book.
Great family values. As a parent of daughters who took projects to state 4H fairs, I have a particular animus towards that movie. I have never watched it completely only pieces of it.
As far as Eastwood in general. Some of my fondest memories as a kid was watching Eastwood movies with my dad. The Leone westerns and Dirty Harry were of course my dad's favorites. Whenever I watch them I think about my dad. I think they are good movies. I has think Unforgiven is an excellent capstone on Eastwood's westerns, and Gran Torino kind of fills the same role for Dirty Harry. My dad passed away before Gran Torino came out, so I always wonder what he would have thought.
Eastwood is better than some in Hollywood (can we say sugar t**s, drugging and raping a teenager, or marrying your step daughter), but he has his issues. His films are watchable but time has passed him by.
randome
(34,845 posts)Like Eastwood, over-rated. Not trying to hijack your thread, cali, I just see similarities in how actors get a reputation that becomes greater than themselves.
XanaDUer
(12,939 posts)He's a hack.
http://www.newyorker.com/online/blogs/movies/2011/10/clint-eastwood-and-pauline-kael.html
After [Kael’s] review of “The Enforcer,” Clint asked a psychiatrist to do an analysis of her from her reviews; it concluded that Kael was actually physically attracted to Clint and because she couldn’t have him she hated him. Therefore, it was some sort of vengeance according to Clint.
Locke added that Eastwood claimed that Kael had called him to apologize for her reviews but that he later admitted that he had made this story up. I think that the psychoanalytic theory is nonsense...
Read more http://www.newyorker.com/online/blogs/movies/2011/10/clint-eastwood-and-pauline-kael.html#ixzz25DPouwPm
shanti
(21,675 posts)clint has a HUGE male following in the 50+ demographic. i've known several men who would practically worship the ground he walked on. this is not just american men, but foreigners as well. clint was the epitome of macho for a long time.
MadHound
(34,179 posts)Funny though, I never saw this kind of criticism of Clint around here when it was assumed he was a Democrat.
Me, I don't mix my politics and my movies, it doesn't limit my viewing pleasure. As far as Clint goes, there is some of his work that I like, some I find funny, and some I can live without. Much like any other long term actor/director.
cali
(114,904 posts)Never was under the misapprehension that he was a democrat. but that has nothing to do with my opinion of his flicks. He's always bored me silly.
Upton
(9,709 posts)many of the same people attacking Eastwood were praising him..
nanabugg
(2,198 posts)
Siwsan
(26,261 posts)Most of Eastwood's films leave me cold. If I watch one it's despite him being in it, not because. As for the films he's directed - can't name a single one. If I've seen one, I probably didn't watch it all the way through. But, I guess it's all just a matter of taste and preferences.
WCGreen
(45,558 posts)But they are redundant and are basically all about a man going his own way.
I think that is why so many in Hollywood like him, because he does stuff on his own terms.
Some of his movies rise above the median, but most are just okay to good movies.
My favorite is one of those that jumps out of his main formula. Honky Tonk man is about someone who has waited al his life to get the break and when the big break comes, well, he is in no real shape to carry that break into a career.
He has good pacing as a director, a good eye.
After that....
He is prolific, I will give him that.
It's funny, the two most celebrated actor/directors, Woody Allen and Clint, come at entertaining from polar opposites.
Either way, they both have entertained millions of people over their long careers.
I think clint never takes a gamble while Woody is Woody, always nudging the edge just a little bit every time he gets behind the camera.
KharmaTrain
(31,706 posts)OK...Eastwood either was senile or doing some sorta performance art thing...whatever it surely wasn't what team mittens was expecting and the reaction has been as muddle and confusing as the Bishop's stance on virtually any issue.
Just cause Eastwood (an 80 year old rich white man) showed up supporting the wrong guy doesn't mean his life and career must be trashed to prove not only was his endorsement inept but that his entire life is. Sorry...not sale here. I'm no Eastwood fan but I do respect the man's long career and those who do appreciate his work. No need to say anything more than what was seen on that stage on Thursday night. The target here isn't an 82 year old man whose best days are in his rear view mirror...it's the goon he's endorsing who is out to turn this country into a kleptocracy. Pick on Eastwood and alienate people who see this type of attack as petty...
cali
(114,904 posts)I don't really get respecting someone for a long career, but each to their own.
KharmaTrain
(31,706 posts)Millions of people still do respect Eastwood and his 50 plus year career. I'm not a fan...and as you say, "to each their own" From a political, tactical standpoint attacking Eastwood beyond the few yuks the awkward situation deserves risks alienating voters who (sad as it is) may vote for the Bishop cause they think Democrats are "mean". I've already seen this meme being tossed among the wingnuts in trying again to circle their 3-legged wagons again. Maybe I'm being over-cautious but the less sympathy that can be generated by the right wing noise machine and corporate media the better...let's beat them down on the issues.
Cheers...
dionysus
(26,467 posts)
treestar
(82,383 posts)I don't think I've seen any of them.
My thing is who cares about his politics over anyone else's? They could have had Joe the Plumber there. I'll never understand why in California they elect these people to offices. They aren't qualified.
joeybee12
(56,177 posts)Clint as an actor and director? 
geminifemini
(44 posts)A few celebrities I have a hard time enjoying:
Bruce Willis
Jon Voight
Angie Harmon
Rob Lowe
Kelsey Grammer
Chuck Norris exempt as I never enjoyed anything he did
huge ditto for Ted Nugent
these just off the top of my head
I have no fame therefore my opinion does not matter. I'm okay with that. I'm not okay with their opinions and never will be. I just wish that I had some way to make their opinions not matter either.
Upton
(9,709 posts)The Good, the Bad and the Ugly is possibly my #1 movie of all time.
Josey Wales and Pale Rider are easily in my top ten.
Eastwood is, and always be one of my favorite actors and directors.. I'm not going to downgrade his work just because I don't like his politics..
frustrated_lefty
(2,774 posts)Unforgiven, Mystic River, Million Dollar Baby, Gran Torino and to some extent Bird were all amazing films. That doesn't change the fact that his politics suck, but I tend to view Eastwood as part of a different generation which doesn't quite grasp that the present-day Republican party isn't the same beast as in their youth.
Motown_Johnny
(22,308 posts)Most of the early stuff looks crappy now but that is where the industry was at the time. You can't fault him for an 8 minute scene in a spaghetti western that is nothing but scenery and crappy music.
I haven't watched "Grand Torino" but I have heard that is is good too.
chelsea0011
(10,115 posts)But "The Unforgiven", "Million Dollar Baby", and Sands of Iwo Jima (and Flags of Our Fathers) are great movies. And you can add "Bird" and "The Outlaw Josie Wales" as very good movies. All artists have many bad movies (look at DeNiro or Streep). He is a pretty good story teller in his movies. I'm surprised he even accepted to do the RNC speech.
aikoaiko
(34,169 posts)Some of his work as an actor or director is as good as most other academy award winners.
There has never been a lot or high art coming out of Hollywood. If nuanced, subtle and sublime are the standards then you have a lot of people to critique.
naturallyselected
(84 posts)Two words I hate seeing applied to movies. As informed as it may be, film criticism still comes down to opinion. You have yours, I have mine. There's no objective standard.
Clint Eastwood as an actor? Has never done much for me. Clint Eastwood as a director? One of my favorites. Going way back to "Play Misty for Me", I have loved virtually every movie he has directed. Humor? Watch two little-known gems - "Bronco Billy" and "Honkytonk Man". "Changeling", another of my favorites. "Mystic River", "J. Edgar", "Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil", "Unforgiven", a few more. Of course, there's "The Bridges of Madison County", which did less than nothing for me.
I do let politics color my opinion of artists. But I think it's more of a reinforcement of how I already feel about the artist. Bruce Willis - a couple of interesting performances and movie choices, but generally, I don't like him, so his politics seem to be one reason why. Kelsey Grammar? Again, don't really like him, so it's hard to watch him and not think about his politics. But there are others - Clint Eastwood, Jimmy Stewart, whose body of work is so large, and so consistently good, that I overlook their politics. Jon Voigt has joined the batshit crazy club, but, damn, he was good in "Midnight Cowboy" and "Coming Home". That will never change.
I don't think Clint's absurd, mean-sprited, disrespectful, tirade will affect how I see him as an artist.
rbrnmw
(7,160 posts)I thought what he did was bizarre but it doesn't make his achievements any less than what they were prior to Thursday night's "performance"
LWolf
(46,179 posts)is that he can actually ride a horse, and is usually riding a step up from the average movie horse used to carry non-riders pretending they can ride while they bounce and flap along like a sack of potatoes in the saddle.
I like his spaghetti westerns; they are ridiculously cheesy, which is part of the enjoyment.
MicaelS
(8,747 posts)The I think that The Good, The Bad and the Ugly is one of the greatest westerns ever made. As well as The Outlaw Josey Wales and Unforgiven.
All this criticism of Eastwood has come about because his speech. Well I learned a long time ago, that if I wanted to enjoy arts and music, to separate the artist from their politics. I enjoy the work of a number artists whose politics I disagree with. My view is "Is the artists good at their craft? Am I entertained?", not "What are their politics, then I look at their art afterwards."
Waiting For Everyman
(9,385 posts)Now that I see what he's really like, I'd bet that Meryl Streep carried more than her share of that movie.
bemildred
(90,061 posts)
cthulu2016
(10,960 posts)For the same reason Kevin Costner has.
The Academy is currently about 60% actors.
That is also the reason Mel Gibson won a best director Oscar, and even Ron Howard's academy popularity is tied to the fact that he used to be "one of them."
Clint Eastwood is, artistically, roughly on par with Ron Howard. He is better than Costner, worse than Gibson (who is a very gifted director)
No real point denigrating him on that score. He has made some fine movies, which is more than the average Hollywood director can say.
Now, if anyone said he is the best contemporary director, that would be silly. But nobody really says that.
grantcart
(53,061 posts)cthulu2016
(10,960 posts)I suppose that I would also favor Howard, if being less hasty.
Apollo 13 is better than any Eastwood film and I do believe in judging artists from their best work.
But Cocoon is a lot to overlook.
I find the average Eastwood effort more sincere, which I value. But Howard is surely more skillful.
(Perhaps Howard's greatest achievement in isolated directorial skill is The Da Vinci Code... it is a phenomenally entertaining movie considering that every bit of it is cliche and nonsense and the underlying work is lame and almost anti-cinematic.)
UnrepentantLiberal
(11,700 posts)
gulliver
(13,180 posts)It's a disappointment to find out that he is kind of politically simplistic, but it is no surprise that he would be in the party where white men are seeking refuge from modern times.
Eastwood played a hero as well as anyone. That is just undeniable. Eastwood had a whole corner of the Joseph Campbell spectrum all to himself. And in terms of direction and writing, he has been masterful.
I hate to see the man with no name backing someone for town mayor. But I do know the difference between reality and movies.
valerief
(53,235 posts)Critics are paid to say good things or bad things. They speak for product-placement/propaganda-messaging corporations. I'd rather trust the artwork for what the movie promises to deliver.
If there's a gun on the movie's artwork, I'm likely not going to like it.
If there's a baby on the movie's artwork, I'm likely not going to like it.
If there's military on the movie's artwork, I'm likely not going to like it.
If there are young guys and boobies on the movie's artwork, I'm likely not going to like it.
If there are animation characters on the movie's artwork, I'm likely not going to like it.
If there's clergy or a religious figure on the movie's artwork, I'm likely not going to like it.
Whisp
(24,096 posts)I thought Dogma was fantastic.
valerief
(53,235 posts)randome
(34,845 posts)It's too easy to make a movie about magic when you can manipulate events without regard to consistency or realism.
valerief
(53,235 posts)Magic Movies.
They're like the Black Plague to me.
And sometimes you can't tell a Magic Movie from the artwork or title. You need to read the description.
It's so funny you called them Magic Movies, because that's exactly what I call them!
randome
(34,845 posts)But I got better.
Bluerthanblue
(13,669 posts)they often played at the drive-in we'd go to when I was a kid.
He's always struck me as a person who was very impressed with himself, not something I find to be a positive, except when done in jest.
There are many other actor/directors of his era that I prefer and respect. People like Paul Newman, Dustin Hoffman, Donald Sutherland, Jack Nicholson, Robert Redford, Steve McQueen, Robert Duval, Sean Connery, Steve Martin, Anthony Hopkins, Robert DeNiro...-
He is 'over-rated' imo. And I would say that regardless of his political position, and even before he made an ass out of himself at the GOP convention.
I'd put Clint more in line with Sly Stalone, Charles Bronson, Jackie Chan, Chuch Norris crowd.
valerief
(53,235 posts)being so comically talented.
Tom Ripley
(4,945 posts)your assessment of Eastwood's own directing efforts.
ZombieHorde
(29,047 posts)Thinking Eastwood is great, mediocre, or terrible are all equally valid opinions.
randome
(34,845 posts)We can agree on that, right?
ZombieHorde
(29,047 posts)There have been eight billion and four studies on the greatness of zombie movies, and they all came to the same conclusion: zombie movies are objectively sweet.
valerief
(53,235 posts)randome
(34,845 posts)And George Romero's trilogy -before he got all George Lucas on us- were masterpieces of end-of-the-world vibes. They all had problems, of course, but still...
Overall, though, I'd prefer something like Possible Worlds, where the sci-fi is hinted at but never confirmed and the focus is truly on the characters.
valerief
(53,235 posts)randome
(34,845 posts)valerief
(53,235 posts)Alduin
(501 posts)He bored the hell out of me when I watched his movies.
aint_no_life_nowhere
(21,925 posts)Wow, that's so ridiculously over-the-top. "Absurdly one dimensional and wooden?" What an absurdly hyperbolic and ignorant statement. People who have no experience working in Hollywood have no idea how hard it is just to get one lousy movie script optioned, much less sold. Eastwood is one of the rare few who has been successful year after year, decade after decade, on both sides of the camera. He's a living legend. Not all his films have been great but he's had his share of wonderful films. Letters From Iwo Jima comes to mind, one of the few films to depict the enemy in the holiest of holy wars as real people with feelings, love of country, and a point of view that differs from the American one. Invictus about Nelson Mandela starring Damon and Freeman is uplifting. Mystic River, in which Eastwood was the director and the one who wrote the film score (yes, he writes music, too) was nominated for best picture and best director. Eastwood is only one of two directors in history to win the Cannes Palme D'Or for lifetime achievement. The other was Ingmar Bergman. The award was bestowed on "un auteur majeur qui réalise à lui seul la synthèse du classicisme et de la modernité du cinéma américain" ("a major auteur who he alone achieved the synthesis of classicism and modernity in the American cinema"
. I certainly trust the film critics of the most prestigious film festival in the world over the Wall Street Journal sports writer who is the hack who wrote this article at the link above.
