Travis Simpkins: Robert Downey Jr

Showing posts with label Robert Downey Jr. Show all posts

Saturday, September 28, 2019

Chaplin (1992): Robert Downey Jr. Becomes Charlie Chaplin

When Robert Downey Jr. was cast to play Charlie Chaplin in a Biopic about the beloved filmmaker, there was a lot of skepticism. Prior to 1992, Downey was mainly known for his supporting work in some relatively low-brow 80's movies. The resulting film, Chaplin (1992), directed by Richard Attenborough and written by William Goldman, showed a level of maturity in Robert Downey's acting that wowed everyone, and admiration for his work continues to grow at the present. The film is a loving tribute to Chaplin and captures his life in stylish form. The supporting cast is excellent... Anthony Hopkins, Moira Kelly, Milla Jovovich, Diane Lane, Dan Aykroyd, Paul Rhys... and Chaplin's daughter, Geraldine Chaplin, plays the part of her own grandmother in an inspired bit of casting.

The film follows the life of Charles Chaplin from his life in England (the workhouse, his mother's insanity) and burgeoning stage career in Vaudeville. Chaplin comes to America and ventures west, first to Montana, then to Los Angeles, California where Hollywood is in it's infancy. Fascinated by the possibilities of the new art form, Chaplin immerses himself in movies. He creates his lovable trademark character, "the Tramp" and begins...

Chaplin. 1992: Robert Downey, Jr.

first in small roles...

Chaplin. 1992

then larger ones, starring in dozens of Silent Comedies within the first couple years...

Chaplin. 1992: Robert Downey, Jr.

Eventually he becomes a director and starts his own Film Company, builds his own studio, and forms United Artists with Douglas Fairbanks, Mary Pickford and D.W. Griffith...

Chaplin. 1992: Robert Downey, Jr.

A lot of time is devoted to the women in Charlie's life...

Chaplin. 1992: Moira Kelly

He married several times...

Chaplin. 1992: Milla Jovovich

Chaplin meets J. Edgar Hoover and they become immediate enemies, forming a feud that lasts for the rest of their lives... Fittingly, much of the story is dedicated to Chaplin's dedication and love for the film making process...

Chaplin. 1992: Robert Downey, Jr.

and gives glimpses of his sets, costumes, editing and composing techniques...

Chaplin. 1992: Robert Downey, Jr.

Chaplin was a great Artist and led a big, inspired life...

Chaplin. 1992: Robert Downey, Jr.

Saturday, June 29, 2019

Wonder Boys (2000): Michael Douglas, Robert Downey Jr (and Marilyn Monroe's Jacket)

Adapted from the great Michael Chabon novel of the same name, Wonder Boys (2000) had all the elements in place to make it a huge success. When Wonder Boys failed to impress audiences upon it's February, 2000 release, Studio execs were still determined to make it happen and, in a rare move, re-released the film nine months later in November, 2000. It still did not fare well the second time... the reason is a mystery. Directed by Curtis Hanson, Wonder Boys is a truly amazing film, with great cinematography and interesting Pittsburgh, PA locations. The ensemble cast is stellar, with some of the principles delivering their best work in years, including Michael Douglas, Frances McDormand, Katie Holmes and Rip Torn. It is Tobey Maguire and Robert Downey Jr., however, that really steal the show as a morose aspiring author and a flamboyant editor, respectively. The small amount of recognition Wonder Boys did receive was largely due to the tight musical soundtrack, led by the incomparable Bob Dylan... with Dylan's original song, "Things Have Changed" winning the Academy Award that year. In the more-than-dozen years since it's release, Wonder Boys has gained some acclaim, and a well-deserved amount of belated attention.

Michael Douglas plays Grady Tripp, a novelist and college professor who has reached an impasse. His wife left him, his mistress, the University Chencellor (Frances McDormand), is pregnant and he has been unable to finish writing his new novel for the past seven years...

Wonder Boys. 2000: Michael Douglas

A Word fest event brings his flamboyantly gay editor, Terry Crabtree (Robert Downey Jr.) and other literati to the University for the weekend...

Wonder Boys. 2000: Robert Downey, Jr.

One of Grady's students, James Leer (Toby Maguire), is fascinated by old Hollywood deaths and suicides. Grady's troubles are multiplied when, at the Chancellor's house party, he points out a valuable jacket worn by Marilyn Monroe on her wedding day to his student. James Leer consequently steals the jacket and some of the future events of the film hinge on this act...

Wonder Boys. 2000: Tobey Maguire and Marilyn Monroe's jacket

Meanwhile Grady has more problems... with a dead dog in his trunk... and his young tenant, Hannah (Katie Holmes), has a crush on him...

Wonder Boys. 2000: Katie Holmes

Terry Crabtree is corrupting the impressionable James Leer...

Wonder Boys. 2000: Robert Downey, Jr.

And Grady's novel is still unfinished...

Wonder Boys. 2000: Michael Douglas

Can all these interesting characters resolve the assorted problems in their lives and find a way to make everything work out for good or ill?

Wonder Boys. 2000: Robert Downey, Jr.

Wonder Boys. 2000: Michael Douglas

Saturday, May 25, 2019

Kiss Kiss Bang Bang (2005): Robert Downey Jr., Val Kilmer and Michelle Monaghan

Written and directed by Shane Black, Kiss Kiss Bang Bang (2005) combined dark humor and Film Noir elements in the proper doses to form a highly original film. A strong story forms the groundwork for the clever shots, stylish editing and fantastic performances delivered by both cast and crew. Robert Downey Jr. and Val Kilmer work amazingly well together, with good chemistry, humor and mutual respect. Michelle Monaghan is wonderful in her role as well. On a historic note, Val Kilmer's "Gay Perry" character in Kiss Kiss Bang Bang is credited with being the first openly gay lead player in an action film.

By a lucky stream of circumstances, petty thief Harry Lockhart (Robert Downey Jr.) poses as an actor and finds himself in L.A., auditioning for the part of a detective. "Gay" Perry (Val Kilmer), a real life detective, is hired to be Harry's coach and consultant...

Kiss Kiss Bang Bang. 2005: Robert Downey, Jr. and Val Kilmer

Harry runs into childhood friend Harmony Lane (Michelle Monaghan), also an aspiring actress...

Kiss Kiss Bang Bang. 2005: Michelle Monaghan

and that's when things take a crazy turn...

Kiss Kiss Bang Bang. 2005: Robert Downey, Jr. and Val Kilmer

as Harry, Perry and Harmony finds themselves deeply involved in a murder case...

Kiss Kiss Bang Bang. 2005: Michelle Monaghan

Things are out of control...

Kiss Kiss Bang Bang. 2005: Robert Downey, Jr.

and very dangerous...

Kiss Kiss Bang Bang. 2005: Robert Downey, Jr. and Val Kilmer

They must work together to see it through...

Kiss Kiss Bang Bang. 2005: Robert Downey, Jr. and Val Kilmer

Kiss Kiss Bang Bang. 2005: Michelle Monaghan

Saturday, April 16, 2016

Restoration (1995): Robert Downey Jr, Meg Ryan, King Charles II and 17th Century England

Directed by Michael Hoffman, based on the novel by Rose Tremain, Restoration (1995) won two Academy Awards for Best Art Direction and Best Costume Design. Set in the late 17th Century, the story follows a medical student that becomes exploited to suit the philandering needs of King Charles II of England. Great attention was given to historical detail, and the setting reflects the paradox of the time, with science intertwining with superstition leading up to the Enlightenment. The cast does a fine job all-around, including Robert Downey Jr, Meg Ryan, Sam Neill, Ian McKellan, Hugh Grant, David Thewlis and Polly Walker.