Saturday, February 03, 2007

Oh, Grow Up




How did your childhood idol break their personal mold so that they could be considered an adult? To break away from the Mary Ellen Walton image, Judy Norton Taylor posed for Playboy. A lot of young actresses used playboy to get the public to forget that they were, once, children. Brooke Shields didn't have to because she was never a child. Starting out in the movie PRETTY BABY and then moving to the provocative Calvin Klein jeans ads, getting people to buy her as a child was never a problem--though getting people to accept her as a serious actress was. Jodie Foster was fourteen when she played a teenage hooker in TAXI DRIVER and just to make sure that the childhood mold was broken, she played a sexually active teenage killer in THE LITTLE GIRL WHO LIVES DOWN THE LANE that same year. Ricky Schroder didn't do anything drastic--he simply changed his name to Rick and took ONLY serious parts (though he did pose in an artistic nude for a legitimate magazine doing an article on "what's sexy now"). Christopher Atkins DID pose nude for Playgirl and his career foundered anyway.

Show business is filled with young people who decide, early in their lives, that performing is the way to go; and we have certainly all heard the stories about how difficult it is to be a child actor and the ramifications that it can cause later in life (Patty Duke is one of the most vocal artists about this occurance.) The stories of huge failure are numerous (and always being featured in stories on the E! Network): DIFF'RENT STROKES kids have become one of popular culture's most oft pointed at examples. There are the scandals (Alfalfa Switzer was murdered), the troubled (Danny Bonaduce jokes about "going to jail a LOT"), the embittered (Jay North has spoken openly about the downfalls from his life as a child actor but has turned it into something positive, counseling young actors in their careers), the bad choices (Elizabeth Berkley in SHOWGIRLS) and the ones who just walked away (Kristi McNichol says she "just got tired of acting").

Then there were the ones who just, succesfully, transitioned to being accepted as adult actors.

Mario Lopez, Kirsten Dunst, Melissa Gilbert, Susan Dey, Elinor Donahue, Mark-Paul Gosselar, Kim Fields, Thora Birch, Jamie Bell..... Christian Bale played Patrick Bateman AND Batman. Oh, and a boy from the tv show GROWING PAINS has been nominated for the Academy Award for the third time, this year: Leonardo DiCaprio. Just like my favourite actress, Diane Lane, who was a nominee in 2002 for UNFAITHFUL. And Opie Taylor won and Oscar for directing BEAUTIFUL MIND.

It IS possible for a succesful child actor to become a succesful adult actor, in spite of the worlds' view of them as being forever young. It IS possible for a succesful child actor to be considered a grown up without making a sex tape or going to rehab to prove that they are, in fact, no longer twelve.

So why, on January 30th, did EVERY news program lead with the story of the furor over Daniel Radcliffe's shocking photos for the West End production of EQUUS? It was on the cover of newspapers and on the AOL bulletins. I am sure it was covered in many places I didn't see. Everywhere I turned, that day, it was the hot topic. Chatterati on websites, everywhere, had to weigh in on Harry Potters nude pics. People think it is appalling. People think it is sexy. People are speculating about what kind of message this sends his young fans. People are criticizing his pale skin, his body hair, his body, his morals, his ethics... You name it, people must discuss it. I know we are a race of closed minded know it alls and judgemental puritans but I just think there must be something more important to focus our attentions on, rather than an actor taking a job that requires him to nude. And the nudity isn't gratuitous! EQUUS is a serious play, a work of art that has been produced on Broadway, filmed by Hollywood and presented in theaters around the world since its Broadway debut in 1974. The story is a serious one and the acting must be first rate. The boy who has been criticized for being "only ok" in the Harry Potter movies (and if I may weigh in, I think he is a beautiful actor--always honest, and you know how much I love THAT) has been chosen to perform in a piece that demands true acting talent. He is the most famous child actor in the world--oh, wait. He isn't a child anymore. According to IMDB he will be 18 in July. By the time I turned 18 most of my friends had begun engaging in sexual congress (including myself) and all of them had seen naked men and women in books, magazines and movies. This boy, this man, though, has chosen to be seen naked FOR HIS ART and he won't be seen naked by observers of his art (alone); he will be seen naked by stupid, insipid, childish fans who flock to the theater just to see Harry Potter naked.

I was in London when Kathleen Turner opened in THE GRADUATE. The lines for tickets were around the block. The thing is--most of us had already seen Kathleen naked in films like BODY HEAT. What was the big deal? And in the London production, she was lit, straight on--not backlight like on Broadway. People are so obsessed with seeing other people (especially famous people) naked. I get it but I don't get it. It's one of those things I wrestle with. I suppose it is because I have seen SO many naked people--in front of my camera. I photograph nudes often. It's a body. It's beautiful. God created these bodies for us. I think it is a wonderful work of art; AND there are those who make it more of a work of art by taking care of it, by making their bodies look like the bodies we, so, admire in the artwork seen in museums (and other places). So Daniel Radcliffe has chosen to blend his two artworks for one glorious purpose: EQUUS. And his body is a work of art. Look at the photos. It is a work in progress but it is beautiful. This is not the opinion of some lascivious perv: it is the opinion of a photographer who must light the human body to accentuate the muscle tone. It is, also, the opinion of a gay male obsessed with his own body image, who diets and excercises to look like a porn model and who beats himself up when a binge keeps him from that appearance.

Some of the online chatters have been nasty about Daniel's palid skin. I think it's beautiful, clear, white skin that will probably not have any cancerous growths because he MUST keep out of the sun (without sunscreen!). Others have criticized his hirsute-ness. Well, all I can say about that is: whatever. I think people are just judgemental and mean.

My bottom line is this: good for Daniel for being a man, for being an artist, for growing up through his art and not humiliating himself in public (I think it is much more effective to retain the respect of others by appearing nude in an artistic play, rather than having your brazilian waxed vagina all over the internet like Britney Spears and Paris Hilton). He isn't falling in the street cause of drugs and alcohol and he hasn't been seen online in a home made sex tape. He has his dignity and his integrity and, soon, he will probably have an Olivier Award.

17 Comments:

Anonymous Anonymous said...

I absolutely LOVED your article! Agree 100%. You covered everything so succinctly. May I suggest you submit this article to a magazine or paper? (don't know the legalities, as it is already on the 'net, but still... just wonderful.

4:14 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

fabulously written as always, ste!

love ya!
a.

8:44 AM  
Blogger jungle dream pagoda said...

I simply do not understand why there has been any negative chatter about this beautiful man/child ,I must admit I am drooling as i type. Never DREAMED Harry was my type!

2:27 PM  
Blogger StephenMosher said...

Thank you SOO much for this great validation of my writing and my opinion.

I'd love to submit it to a magazine or paper but I hate rejection...

LOL.

My stories are happy where they are. If someone reads one and wants to do something with it, they'll let me know, I am sure. In the meantime, I think obscurity suits us.

Peace to you and, again, thank you, thank you, thank you.

ste

10:27 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Thank you so much for this wonderful analytical piece. I am glad there is a sane voice among a pile of sensationalistic and judgemental rubbish that grace the internet during the last few days.

1:44 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Thank god someone in this whole circus of coverage has sense. I must say that you are not the only one though. See, the media is hyping appalled parents who want to boycott HP because of these pics and the reality is, there are more of us behind Daniel than they think its relevant to admit. Controversy keeps things spicey.

I beg to differ on one of your points though: I'm here to tell you that there are quite a few sensible adults who will be flocking the theatre not soley to see Daniel in the nude (I'd be lying if I said that weren't atleast one incentive) but mainly to see him act...LIVE, upclose and in person in this wonderful play.

We are rooting for him. There's a gaggle of adult women, men, parents, non HP and HP fans alike who only have to say Bravo to Mr. Radcliffe.

If I may be crude, what's the big fucking deal? People seriously need to get lives.

2:17 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

All I can say is bravo to you for this article and bravo to Dan. I am going to see Equus. I have been following this story since I heard he was approached by Kenneth Branaugh more than a year ago. I thought it was a good idea for Dan to do it then and still do.

What I am afraid of is the behavior of the ignorant and the immature who are going to see this play for all the wrong reasons. I hope they don't ruin it for me and for Dan. This is a powerful work, so powerful that I remember the impact the 1977 movie had on me. I feel lucky to be able to see it performed on London's West End. I feel lucky to have been able to enjoy Dan playing Harry. I must admit that I like the young man far more than I like the little boy and I look forward to watching his career as long as possible.

Thanks for writing this.

2:26 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I can only agree with ste's comment above.

This is the most thoughtful and well presented piece I have seen about this whole furore.

I think you speak for a lot of people who care about this wonderful actor.

I hope your words are spread around the web to counteract much of the knee-jerk outrage that has been written.

Thank you.

5:37 AM  
Blogger StephenMosher said...

Hi everybody. Thanks for the wonderful response and intelligent comments. I cannot tell ya how much I appreciate them! Kenya, I want to (particularly) answer something you said: Oh, I KNOW there are sensible adults who will be at the play to see the artist work. You and I do not differ there. There is also the matter of the great Richard Griffiths! The grown ups will be there to see the craftsmanship. I just pray it isn't ruined by screaming AMERICAN IDOL types who don't know how to behave in a theater. I have had so many great moments in a Broadway house ruined by them. And I agree with you. What's the big fucking deal?

I am hoping to pull together enough dough to make the trip to see the show. But if I don't, it will probably land on Broadway in a year or two anyway, right?

Peace, all
Ste

8:08 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Stephen, you're the first person I've read anywhere who has referred to Daniel as a man. Thank you for that.

I've been following his career since the first HP film. I've enjoyed watching him grow up. He's done it beautifully. No, he's not finished yet; as you said about his body, I say about the whole person: he's a work in progress. But he's doing it right: not only is he so obviously caring for the outside, he's paying close attention to the inside as well. His work and personal ethics are evident both in his physical appearance and in his career choices. He's done well in school, he's exceeded all expectations in his role as Harry, and he's managed to stay completely sane in a crazy business.

But the bottom line is, he's an adult now, or very nearly so. He HAS grown up. He's a young MAN, not a little BOY. And he's not Harry Potter. He's Daniel Radcliffe. People need to recognise and respect that.

I'm going to see Equus in a couple of months; I expect to see an extraordinary performance by an actor whose potential I recognised the first time I saw him onscreen. But I don't expect to see an eleven year old boy. I expect to see a man, doing a man's job.

And I'm fully confident he'll deliver.

9:07 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Thank you!! Thank you!!!!!
This is the most beautifully written article and I hope a magazine or newspaper sees this, it should be published :)

It boggles my mind that this being made into such a huge deal. I guess controversay sales. I also think America has a double standard. A movie or video game that is full of violence can be produced and no one bats an eye, someone takes their clothes off in a play and people go berzerk! It confuses me greatly everday. The body is a beautiful thing, so as Kenya said so very well *grins*, what is the big fucking deal?

I've read the play twice already and I will be going to see Dan(along with the rest of amazing cast) in May. Yes, I am flying across the Atlantic for this. Figured this was a once in a life time chance, so I am taking it.

Thank you again for this wonderful article. This was a breath of fresh air to read after dealing with all the mindless dribble that's been spreading all over the news. (-Jennifer)

9:54 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I wish many more could, or rather would, step out from their tiny boxes and read your article. The media buzz around these pictures is ridiculous and the way many people have chosen to focus solely on Dan's naked pictures instead of the play itself and its most importand (and very actual) message shows a very deplorable state of the western society.

I cannot but admire Dan's courage and maturity (yes, as you've said it he IS a man and a gorgeous one for that matter), his dedication to art and his will to constantly improve!

I've got the tickets for the play already and I really hope I won't be facing the dreadful prospect of crazed Harry Potter fan's misplaced attentions there (don't read this the wrong way, I'm a huge Harry Potter fan, and also of Daniel's. These are two completely different things altogether and it would be for the best if people would realise it soon and look for the art in "Equus" and not any other things).- Erika

10:59 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Stephen: I sure hope you get to go man. Apparently, Richard Griffiths has a reputation for embarassing patrons being rude and inconsiderate during one of his performances, so I feel sorry for any silly person who attends thinking its alright to giggle and gasp and shriek and act like complete idiots.

We've been trying to spread the word that it won't be tolerated. Let's hope they've been paying attention.

It might well end up on B'way. Maybe not with Dan in it, but heck, I'd go see it again because its just good theatre.

11:10 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I wish more people could, or rather would, step out from their tiny boxes and read your article.

The media buzz focusing solely on Dan's naked pictures, instead of the deep, disturbing and very actual meaning of the play, sorrowfully shows the deplorable state of the western society.

The whole pseudo-moral issues picked up by the media and thrown around by immature audience (sadly most "grown-ups") are just ridiculous.

I cannot but admire Dan for being this curageous man (oh, yes, he IS a man, and a gorgeous one for that matter), constantly willing to improve his art and not settle for what is given.

I've got already my tickets to the play and I hope I won't be facing the dreadful prospect of crazy Harry Potter fan's ruining it all for the dedicated crew and myself. But don't get me wrong, I'm a huge fan of Harry Potter, but more and more people should realize that Dan and Harry Potter aren't the same, and treat "Equus" in the proper way. At least they would take the time and read the play!

I've got my tickets for the play already

11:11 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I must say, I agree with all your points. I am glad to find another person who supports this move from Dan as a positive step in his career. All these neigh sayers need to grow up, and see Dan as a MAN. I hope the HP fans don't ruin this experience for Dan and the rest of the cast and crew. I will always support Dan in his future roles.

12:48 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Love your blog! Page

10:08 AM  
Blogger StephenMosher said...

Hi Everyone. I want to say thanks to each and every person who commented on this story. I love reading your thoughts and opinions and I relish the feedback. I'm sorry it took me so long to sit down and read them and type up this reply--I was traveling (went home for my parents' fiftieth wedding anniversary and spent the entire time with them--no computer stuff!) and am just recently getting back in the swing of things.

I hope everyone will continue reading and commenting. It gets my creative juices flowing!

Peace to all and thank you, thank you a million times.

Cheers
Ste

8:36 AM  

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