Stone in Hiding

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"In several interviews, sounding variously weary, wounded and either self-deprecating or defensive", Oliver Stone recently told N.Y. Times reporter David Halbfinger that "his days of deliberate provocation were behind him." As Stone simply puts it, "I stopped...I stopped."

World Trade Center (Paramount, 8.9), which Stone has directed, is "not a political film. That's the mantra they handed me. Why can't I stay on message for once in a while? Why do I have to take detours all the time?" Halbfinger brings up Paul Haggis's adapation of Richard Clarke's Against All Enemies, which is mainly about the governmental myopia that led to Al Qeada operatives pulling off the 9/11 attacks -- obviously the sort of film that used to be Stone's stock-in-trade. Stone scoffs at the notion: "I couldn't do it. I'd be burned alive." Truly, sadly, this is one U.S Marshall who's turned in his badge, holster and six-shooter . He's Gary Cooper in the first few minutes of High Noon, but without Grace Kelly or a wedding ring or a ceremony. What Stone needs is for Frank Miller and his gang to come looking for him...a situation like this will get his heart pumping again.

comment #1

Alexander says ...

Wow. Wow.

That is really depressing.

comment #2

says ...

You have a link to this story?

comment #3

Lee G. says ...

I'm tearing up reading that. I thought Stone was made of stronger stuff. This was a filmmaker I idolized, loved his style, loved the go for broke-ness of his work. Now, he's no different than Andy Tennant or Chris Columbus, if I'm believing what my eyes are seeing.

Sheesh.

comment #4

Scotter says ...

Give the guy a break. Even he knows that his name is a punchline that overshadows whatever he's trying to accomplish. Even he knows that the public only sees the drug induced sweats and half formed conspiracy theories coming out of his mouth instead of the effort he puts into his projects.

He needs to prove he can be a reliable pro again or otherwise, no financing for him in the worlds most expensive art form.

comment #5

Scotter says ...

...make that OR no financing for him...

comment #6

craptastic says ...

Let the guy rest. I'm sure he'll come back. I mean, the guy pretty much tore the government and the media a new asshole. A majority of his films changed our culture but you can't expect him to do it every time.

Don't bed sad filmlovers... the torch will be passed.

comment #7

Patrick says ...

Well, this sort of attitude has been building in
Stone from November of 2004 till now. I'm glad
he's finally out with the truth. His dream project
of all-time was killed off by Hollywood and the
entertainment press and unlike some other half-
ass filmmaker's, he can't get over it and likely
never will. I hope everybody is happy!! You wanted
it, and now you've got it! Stone will always be
#1 to me and 'Alexander' was a near-great film!
THE END!

comment #8

Larry says ...

When they make films about terrorists who blow up innocents, behead people and want to destroy everything a liberal society believes in, you warn filmmakers they better not make the picture some black and white morality tale. But when a whiny, vainglorious minor functionary attacks the Bush administration it's full steam ahead, and don't anyone dare suggest he's anything but a true blue, 100% honest, full-blown hero. In fact, better cast Tom Hanks or people might not understand he's perfect in every way.

Oliver Stone would be perfect to make a film about Clarke. His best work is JFK, even though it's one long lie from start to finish.

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