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Volume CXXXII, Number 11 |
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From the music stage to the silver screen and back again
MACAELA FLANAGAN
COLUMNIST
Whether it's a cameo, guest appearance, or a full-blown lead role, many musicians have veered from the studios to the silver screen and vice versa. The reasons for these journeys vary by artist; some are actually talented in both fields (think Madonna and Mos Def), many have the ability to make huge box office or arena concert revenues, and some are just pressing their luck. Many of the people swimming between the screen and the stage should probably just be anchored at the bottom, but pop culture is not always an intelligent entity.
The trend of rock stars making movies is not something unique to our day and age. The 1950s were a time of musical revolution, both artistically and economically. Elvis exploded onto the rock scene and the silver screen with Love Me Tender in 1956 and Jailhouse Rock in 1957. Despite the fact that nowadays he is an object of obsession for the 55-plus crowd who religiously make pilgrimages to Graceland each year, the guy was insanely popular in his day.
The four British boys also got their turn to use film in order to appendage their musical success. For every screaming, sobbing teenage girl that wanted to see the Beatles in concert there was a wallet willing to dispense its contents for a glimpse. They quit the touring fad in '66, but their fans' incurable obsession was perhaps eased slightly by viewing the boys plastered on a movie screen.
These films have become a sort of cult favorite, but they aren't exactly Citizen Kane. In other words, they might be fun, but their success is pretty much based on the status of their rock icon lead characters. The few Beatles and Elvis movies I have seen were definitely entertaining, but let's just say I don't think Ringo was nominated for any Oscars.
Modern times bring in a whole slew of actors hoping to own both sides of the superstardom line. Jennifer Lopez might be one of the busiest people in the entertainment biz; she frequents both the airwaves and the screens. Lucky, lucky us. Out of Sight wasn't exactly that, but it sure beats out The Wedding Planner and the unfortunate Bowdoin party fave "I'm Real." I can't say that I am anything close to a fan, but she certainly has managed to make a place for herself. Forget the first name basis intimacy of Madonna; J.Lo's got initials-and her own clothing line. And her own signature perfume. And an advertising shtick that shows her in the nude. How's that for an overdose?
Eminem is now starring in 8 Mile. Granted his face is plastered on Rolling Stone and his bad-boy popularity was spurred by his battles with the F.C.C., but regardless the film can stand on its own. Despite the clichés and unsurprising plot twists that weaken parts of the film, the acting is solid. Even without Eminem's status as a popular music figure, I imagine 8 Mile would still enjoy the benefit of many teenagers' movie budget and do decently at the box office…but probably not as decently.
The guest appearance of a musician in a film, while not a full blown attempt at dual stardom, can certainly enhance a film's appeal when used correctly. Let's examine the movie career of Alice Cooper. Nightmare on Elm Street 6 and Wayne's World were both blessed with his presence. Without his concert scene in WW, there would be no reason for Benjamin to ship Wayne and Garth to Milwaukee while he attempts to seduce Cassandra. Therefore, not only is his role central to this complex plot, but he plays himself and as viewers we're privileged to see both his musical abilities and his knowledge of Milwaukee's political past. Guest performances are good: they quench the thirst, but do not require a binge.
No article on pop figures crossing boundaries is complete with a discussion of Marky Mark. If you are a new fan, you may know this talent by his screen name: Mark Wahlberg. But to us children of the early 90s, The Funky Bunch and "Good Vibrations" will forever be engrained in our late elementary school memories. Maybe the music is dated but the film career isn't. Who cares if they don't exist simultaneously? The point is that Marky-Mark made his mark in both mediums. Boogie Nights is a modern classic and The Perfect Storm was one of the most popular films of 2000.
And who says you can't be a white rapper turned movie star? Oh yeah. I think it was Vanilla Ice.
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