December
29The Art of Being Will Smith
MEMO:
TO: Will Smith
FROM: Peter Bart
I have an oddball question to ask you Will: Have you been reading too much Malcolm Gladwell lately?
Gladwell, as you know, is the young guy with the big hair whose new book, “Outliers: The Story of Success,” sits atop best seller lists. His basic precept (which is not exactly original) is that “innate talent” is not the pivotal contributor to success; rather, effort and sheer determination are the keys. In his book, what we think of as “aptitude” really boils down to dogged pursuit of a goal.
I wish I could agree with Gladwell (I’d like to sell that many books) but I think he’s goofy. Anyone who goes to films, plays or concerts, Will, knows what it’s like to be blown away by a mega-talent. And I’ve known enough amazing talents to identify those who are anything but dogged – they’re downright lazy.
Reading the interview with you in Variety’s “Showman of the Year” issue, however, leads me to believe that you’ve bought into the Gladwell doctrine. And watching “Seven Pounds,” your latest, reinforces that suspicion.
According to your interview, Will, your imperative in selecting roles is to find characters “completely at the other end of the spectrum” from who you are and what you’ve done. Hence you decided to do “Six Degrees of Separation” right in the middle of “Fresh Prince.”
James Lassiter, your business partner, tells me that you refuse to play by other people’s “rules.” So when studio heads told you that movies starring black actors don’t play overseas, you made it your mission to travel country-to-country to sell your films and disprove the so-called “rule.” You sure as hell succeeded, Will.
Which brings us to “Seven Pounds.” In most of your recent films you’re the winner, so apparently you decided to make yourself the ultimate loser in this story. The protagonist commits a dreadful deed, then goes on a Messiah-like crusade to give away all his possessions, including his body parts. And that, theoretically, transforms him from a loser into a winner.
The movie doesn’t really work, Will. It’s a lot of effort in search of a theme.
Which brings us back to the writer with the big hair, Will. Your career provides testimony to my theory that “innate talent” wins the day, but you’re beginning to negate that talent by trying too goddamn hard.
Give it a rest, Will, just be a movie star. Find some charismatic roles. You have your choice of subjects, so cast yourself as a lover. Or a bad guy. Enjoy yourself a bit.
And stop giving away your body parts.
TO: Will Smith
FROM: Peter Bart
I have an oddball question to ask you Will: Have you been reading too much Malcolm Gladwell lately?
Gladwell, as you know, is the young guy with the big hair whose new book, “Outliers: The Story of Success,” sits atop best seller lists. His basic precept (which is not exactly original) is that “innate talent” is not the pivotal contributor to success; rather, effort and sheer determination are the keys. In his book, what we think of as “aptitude” really boils down to dogged pursuit of a goal.
I wish I could agree with Gladwell (I’d like to sell that many books) but I think he’s goofy. Anyone who goes to films, plays or concerts, Will, knows what it’s like to be blown away by a mega-talent. And I’ve known enough amazing talents to identify those who are anything but dogged – they’re downright lazy.
Reading the interview with you in Variety’s “Showman of the Year” issue, however, leads me to believe that you’ve bought into the Gladwell doctrine. And watching “Seven Pounds,” your latest, reinforces that suspicion.
According to your interview, Will, your imperative in selecting roles is to find characters “completely at the other end of the spectrum” from who you are and what you’ve done. Hence you decided to do “Six Degrees of Separation” right in the middle of “Fresh Prince.”
James Lassiter, your business partner, tells me that you refuse to play by other people’s “rules.” So when studio heads told you that movies starring black actors don’t play overseas, you made it your mission to travel country-to-country to sell your films and disprove the so-called “rule.” You sure as hell succeeded, Will.
Which brings us to “Seven Pounds.” In most of your recent films you’re the winner, so apparently you decided to make yourself the ultimate loser in this story. The protagonist commits a dreadful deed, then goes on a Messiah-like crusade to give away all his possessions, including his body parts. And that, theoretically, transforms him from a loser into a winner.
The movie doesn’t really work, Will. It’s a lot of effort in search of a theme.
Which brings us back to the writer with the big hair, Will. Your career provides testimony to my theory that “innate talent” wins the day, but you’re beginning to negate that talent by trying too goddamn hard.
Give it a rest, Will, just be a movie star. Find some charismatic roles. You have your choice of subjects, so cast yourself as a lover. Or a bad guy. Enjoy yourself a bit.
And stop giving away your body parts.
Subscribe to Peter Bart's Blog Feed
Keep your chin up, Peter.
Posted by: OuchyOuch | 1/3/2009 11:51:11 PM
He didn't read the book. That's what makes this column so dumb. Hard work? If anything, the book says hard work and talent aren't enough.
Posted by: only logical | 1/3/2009 6:48:34 PM
I think the guy is charismatic and it carries off on screen. Perhaps he has done what he said he was warned not to do by the great S.P., saturate the market with your face so often all your work molds into one.
I would like Wil to take a break and do Theatre in New York. He would be amazing on stage. Then come back on screen in 2012. The public will not loose interest, he is extremely likable.
I think Bad Boys was a paycheck and crap but it created a brand for Smith. I can''t wait to see him in big pictures and in pictures playing smaller roles that have a huge impact on the storyline. I see him winning an Oscar for Best Supporting Actor before any other oscar.
As for his production company, Overland, he puts out some brave pictures.
Go Will Smith. This Jewish kid from New York thinks your quite a fantastic performer.
Music, Song, Dance, Acting, Improv Skills and from what I hear, a great family man!
Peace and Blessings always.
As for Bart, there must have been something more interesting to writer about, no? I think your a cool cat but you need to perhaps take a break from writing your blog or commentary of sorts and go on a trip to South America, India, Eastern regions of Africa and get a perspective that will put things where they should be in your head sir.
Embrace Will Smith, the guy is positive, healthy, successful, loving and I guarantee you, will leave this world with more good and charity and help for thousands of less fortunate then you or I combined.
Go Will, keep moving forward no matter how many interesting turns you make, God Bless you and yours.
Bagel Kid
Hollywood, CA
Peace in Israel Peace in the Middle East!
We are all brothers and sisters!
Yes, I am sober when I say this people!
Stop bitching!
Start doing!
God Bless and to anyone who read this, I wish you a blessed year ahead, I really do, no matter what the challenges are you face, you will conquer them, move forward, one step at a time, and reach your goals..one way to do it..don''t take no for an answer..keep pushing..keep learning..keep listening...best way to grow is to listen to another opinion you do not agree with..
OH...one more thing..here''s to some good Football Sunday..and a little hope my NY Giants will make it through to the end of January..
Posted by: newactorintown | 1/3/2009 10:23:58 AM
in addition to discovering the sun is the center of the universe,the light bulb,the polio vacine and every hit in the history of the industry mr.bart is now a talent manager......thank the lord
Posted by: bs meter | 1/3/2009 9:11:06 AM
it kinda sounds like peter bart is hating, I aint gone lie, it's amazing that critics get paid rating other's people hard work. What's even more astonishing is that people actually believe and care what "critics" say. Keep building... Will and we'll keep watching and supporting you.
Posted by: j3company | 1/2/2009 11:55:18 PM
Peter, could you be any more condescending? Could you have used Will's name more often, Peter? I have compared the moments of enjoyment you have contributed to my ife as compared with Will, Peter. Peter, you lose by a landslide.
Posted by: Kate | 1/1/2009 4:16:20 PM
mr. bart has fabricated a past in the movie industry that rivals bernie madoff....if you sit with him he was responsible for every hit made at paramount pictures...now hes advising will smith....i think ill call mr. madoff for some stock tips
Posted by: elderstatesman | 1/1/2009 9:15:29 AM
You should become part of Will's publicity machine and Gladwells too. I havn't seen this much ink spilled over your blogs before.
Posted by: ray sager | 1/1/2009 7:18:16 AM
Peter. You should read the comments from your "LOYAL" readers.
Posted by: FilmFanatic | 12/31/2008 6:16:35 PM
Will, Bart is simply a sad excuse of a human being who never got the writing, producing, and directing gigs he longed for when MUCH younger. Clearly he hasn''t seen your entire body of work.
Posted by: FilmFanatic | 12/31/2008 6:15:00 PM
Thanks Will, I think I finally got my boyfriend to stop texting while driving. Oh, yeah, the movie was good too!
Posted by: Movie goer | 12/31/2008 11:20:56 AM
You never know if a movie is going to be good or bad. Great director, great script can still turn out a mediocer movie. Even the biggest stars still have good and bad days. That's the joy of being alive. Keep up the good work.
Posted by: eli | 12/31/2008 10:54:05 AM
And Will Smith, you had me at 'Six Degrees'. Keep taking chances, and I suspect you'll keep being real.
Posted by: Arye Michael Bender | 12/31/2008 10:20:01 AM
mr bart read a summary of outliers...and got the premise all wrong.
Posted by: sdq | 12/31/2008 10:01:00 AM
Seven Pounds didn't suck...not if you had a brain anyway.
Will is succeeding not Failing in nearly every movie he does, so it just shows that Peter just couldn't find a subject to write about so he chose this one out a hat.
Posted by: billymatt | 12/31/2008 9:56:10 AM
Will, just work with superb directors and writers on brilliant material and stop with the vanity projects that desperately cry out for recognition as a "serious actor" with chops! Actors can only be as good as their material an dthe people that they work with. Raise the bar! I fyou want to be challenged, do what terrifies you... like SIX DEGREES OF SEPARATION or ALI! Remember that feeling! Don't exec produce! ACT!
Posted by: a theatre director | 12/31/2008 9:53:26 AM
All mega stars are allowed to self endulge every now and then. It's the box office coldness that brings them back to reality and that is probably more effective than ten Bart memoranda. I'm sure as hell that Will Smith has felt the coldness and that he's already warming up to his next joy ride blockbuster.
Posted by: Nico | 12/31/2008 8:31:46 AM
Stick to your guns, Will. All mega-talents find themselves in a mid-star crisis...be it Cruise, Carrey, Sly even Jimmy Stewart struggled. You are truly a talent that rides on sheer charisma and the mantra of Will is what has made you who you are. So as much as I fully understand what Peter is getting at, you will be remembered for your choices and the risks that you took as well as the boffo B.O. that you have generated for our industry. I would also like to add that you also are truly a nice guy and that, I believe, will add to your legacy....keep it up.
Posted by: Will doesn't need an agent | 12/31/2008 8:20:10 AM
Peter definitely didn't get the book. Or maybe he just read the coverage, and the Reader didn't get it. In either case, one might not want to base a column on a book you either didn't read or didn't understand.
Posted by: Malcolm's agent | 12/31/2008 7:47:37 AM
I like Will's movies (ah, 90% of them), but Pete, you arn't trying to talk him into playing "Gatsby" are you?
Posted by: jack | 12/31/2008 7:06:29 AM
WHn you watch a Will SMith movie from the past 5 years you can basically hear the puitch that was thrown at everyone when the idea was born. "Will, this will be a bold choice and critics will love you!" And the budding Scientologist Will Smith thinks: "Yes, Im a bold talents with limitless ability." But then your movies suck, Will, and the movie going public gets a peak at the vast emptyness of your acting ability. Please give us a 5 year break from your predictable crap Will.
Posted by: palinmuslim | 12/31/2008 6:22:48 AM
I agree with Bart. Smith
has reached a point where
he doesn't have too try so
hard. Relax and enjoy the ride.
Posted by: Rich | 12/31/2008 5:24:05 AM
So what if "Seven Pounds" sucked?
At least Smith chose to make an unusual film. So many big stars get comfortable making the same movie again and again...
Posted by: David | 12/31/2008 5:17:10 AM
Did this guy just ruin the movie?
Posted by: john | 12/31/2008 12:28:21 AM
Maybe Will did this movie for Will. Anyone ever think of that?
Posted by: He Who Ads Comment | 12/30/2008 10:52:00 PM
Read the book again. I don''t think you get it.
Posted by: Gladwell | 12/30/2008 10:50:48 PM
I loved Seven Pounds and I found it refreshing that Will Smith decided to take such an unusual role.
Posted by: Leila | 12/30/2008 6:50:53 PM
Can't believe someone wishes they were an agent, Will Smith's or otherwise. Were the "snuff film producer" and "war criminal" dreams too lofty?
Posted by: Ronnie Pudding | 12/30/2008 11:11:45 AM
A workman like artist can put in all the needed hours earnestly, but if a certain spark is missing, the artist doesn't catch fire. Think Salieri vs Mozart, or Hitler vs anybody else.
And conversely, with that spark, someone like Welles can burst on the scene fully formed.
Posted by: Arye Michael Bender | 12/30/2008 10:11:24 AM
Peter,
Have you read "Outliers"? Your description of Gladwell's theory is simplistic and incomplete. In addition to "working hard" Gladwell cites other areas that lead to success for an individual including being at the right place at the right time and being born at the right time, among other ideas.
If you read it, you did not do so very closely. If you haven't you should not be basing your own arguments on it.
Posted by: Read Before You Write | 12/30/2008 7:49:19 AM
That's right, Will. Listen to Peter.
Change the strategy that's made you the most bankable star in Hollywood. (What is it now, eight or nine films straight grossing near or over $150m in the US?)
Change the strategy that delivers work you enjoy and find challenging, even if the box-office might occasionally be lower.
Change the strategy that's turned millions of people like me from serious detractors into serious fans.
Actually, you just keep doing what you do.
Posted by: Wishing I Was Will's Agent | 12/30/2008 3:47:29 AM