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Many moons ago (i.e., last summer) a story broke about James Franco's deal to play Allen Ginsberg in a Gus Van Sant-produced biopic called Howl. Rob Epstein and Jeffrey Friedman were announced as the co-directors and co-writers of the drama, which will mainly be about the obscenity trial that followed the 1957 publication of "Howl," Ginsberg's legendary poem. The film will begin shooting just a few days from now.
James Franco (l.), the youthful Allen Ginsberg (r.)
I happened to reconsider the Howl project after reading Roger Friedman's story today about Franco having sold a collection of short stories to the Simon & Schuster guys.
Not be a stickler, but if you're being cast to play a famous person aren't you expected to sort of resemble him or her? At least somewhat? And shouldn't it bother someone besides myself that Franco doesn't look anything like Ginsberg did in the mid '50s? As in no fucking resemblance whatsoever?
The only way Franco could look more unlike the young Ginsberg would be if he was Asian-American, African-American, a native of Tonga or an Aborigine. As is, Franco could probably make it into the finals of the annual "I don't look the least fucking bit like Allen Ginsberg" competition that has reportedly been staged each and every year in Oslo, Sweden, since the early '60s.
Which famous '50s guy does Franco resemble? Well, if you dyed his hair black he might pass for Farley Granger. He could star in a biopic about Heath Ledger, I suppose.
Posted by Jeffrey Wells on March 5, 2009 at 11:44 AM
comment #1
maxfm
says ...
I thought the same thing when this project was announced.
David Cross was a dead ringer (no, um, pun intended) for the guy in I'm Not There.
Of course, Franco did play James Dean, didn't he? He looked halfway like him, in my opinion.
Posted by maxfm
at March 5, 2009 12:42 PM
comment #2
actionman
says ...
frano is close enough
Posted by actionman
at March 5, 2009 12:55 PM
comment #3
actionman
says ...
*franco*
Posted by actionman
at March 5, 2009 12:56 PM
comment #4
DeafBrownTrashPunk
says ...
What about Nicole Kidman as Virginia Woolf and Charlize Theron as Aileen Wuornos?
What does it matter when they put on stellar performances with good make-up?
Posted by DeafBrownTrashPunk
at March 5, 2009 1:09 PM
comment #5
George Prager
says ...
I anxiously await Hugh Jackman's performance as Gregory Corso.
P.S. THE HOURS blew.
Posted by George Prager
at March 5, 2009 1:30 PM
comment #6
raygo
says ...
Seems like you've tried this topic before, with mixed results, most leaning towards it not making a difference if the performance is there.
Philip Seymour Hoffman wasn't an exact double for Truman Copote, but managed to be authentic. Jane Fonda was much more attractive than Lillian Hellman, but brought her own intelligence to the part that worked for the film.
Just judging from that one photo, there's enough of a resemblence to make the case that Franco, being an *actor* ... can make up the difference. It's what they do. They make believe.
Posted by raygo
at March 5, 2009 1:31 PM
comment #7
crazyeight
says ...
If only we could get a younger Jeff Goldblum, eh?
Posted by crazyeight
at March 5, 2009 1:33 PM
comment #8
nemo
says ...
Franco couldn't look any less like Ginsberg. But Franco probably has the right sensibility to play Ginsberg, which counts for a lot.
Posted by nemo
at March 5, 2009 1:33 PM
comment #9
televisiontears
says ...
Based on looks alone: Lucas Haas.
Posted by televisiontears
at March 5, 2009 1:34 PM
comment #10
Ethan
says ...
Stick some glasses on Franco and DONE!
Posted by Ethan
at March 5, 2009 1:38 PM
comment #11
Breedlove
says ...
Franco has fucked-up looking, really yellow teeth. I've noticed it in a couple of photos now.
Posted by Breedlove
at March 5, 2009 2:40 PM
comment #12
roquentin
says ...
This reminds me of Nicole Kidman playing Diane Arbus, though I still like the idea of Franco being given a serious and challenging role. He was a good Dean from what I remember, and it's true, PSH has about the same resemblance to Truman Capote. It all comes down to whether or not the performance makes you forget it or not. Franco seems like an underrated actor. Here's to him succeeding.
Posted by roquentin
at March 5, 2009 3:23 PM
comment #13
MAGGA
says ...
Oslo has not been a part of Sweden for the last 104 years. Sorry for nitpicking, I used to confuse Florida and California as a kid so I can relate.
Posted by MAGGA
at March 5, 2009 3:42 PM
comment #14
Gordon27
says ...
"As is, Franco could probably make it into the finals of the annual "I don't look the least fucking bit like Allen Ginsberg" competition that has reportedly been staged each and every year in Oslo, Sweden, since the early '60s."
Even with the aforementioned goof, this is one of the funniest sentences Jeff has ever written.
Posted by Gordon27
at March 5, 2009 4:36 PM
comment #15
Gordon27
says ...
One question, though, Jeff: Have you ever seen a picture of Robert Graysmith? If so, did you notice that he looks absolutely nothing like Jake Gyllenhaal, who seemingly made no effort to change his look to look more like Graysmith?
Posted by Gordon27
at March 5, 2009 4:39 PM
comment #16
Phatang!
says ...
According to Wikipedia, Franco's mother is Jewish, so he gets a pass from me. At least on that front. I still think he's a shitty (or at least very boring) actor.
Posted by Phatang!
at March 5, 2009 5:44 PM
comment #17
actionman
says ...
he was shitty until Pineapple. Everything changed for him after that role.
Posted by actionman
at March 6, 2009 10:46 AM
comment #18
BurmaShave
says ...
"as in Helsinki, Sweden."
Resemblance really doesn't matter at all. Plenty of good examples have already been offered. Oliver Stone has made a career on proving it.
Posted by BurmaShave
at March 6, 2009 6:48 PM
comment #19
jamesD
says ...
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Posted by jamesD
at March 9, 2009 2:05 AM
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