Ryan Gosling

Ryan Gosling

Fil Am Entertainment

Robert Pattinson – here to stay or gone tomorrow?

Ladies, hold on to your ovaries. I know lots of my fellow Filipinas love them some Robert Pattinson so it's practically an early Christmas gift that the "Water for Elephants" trailer starring Rob and Reese Witherspoon hit the web late last night, giving all R Patz fans a chance to see the actor in more serious fare as opposed to the role that threatens to both make and break him – his beloved interpretation of Edward Cullen in the Twilight series.  "Water for Elephants" tells the story of a 23-year old who runs away from his ivy league education to join the circus after experiencing serious tragedy.  He meets and falls in love with the ring leader's wife, played by Reese Witherspoon.

Having recently read "Water for Elephants", the novel by Sara Gruen that's become a worldwide best seller, I can tell you that the book contains some pretty heavy stuff.  It's a true coming of age story, with the main character Jacob Jankowski experiencing more than his share of deep tragedy, crushing heartache, not to mention the brutal, backbreaking work of circus life in the 1930s.  Jacob goes through some pretty intense emotions, which makes the book much more than just a love story.

It's interesting to see how Robert Pattinson will tackle the role, especially since he's officially entered the big leagues.  He stars opposite not only Oscar winner Reese Witherspoon but Oscar winner Christoph Waltz who plays the psycho ring leader "August."  We already know the guy is good looking and looks incredible in those period pieces, but can the guy really act?

The jury is still out on that one.

Robert is still after all, extremely early into his career.  But Twilight catapulted him into the A-list, bringing him a certain level of fame and teenage worship that only say Leonardo Dicaprio after "Titanic" or Zac Efron after "High School Musical" can truly understand.  But while Leonardo Dicaprio deliberately chose roles after "Titanic" that showed that he's much more than just a romantic lead, Zac Efron is certainly struggling.  The disastrous "Me and Orson Welles" and the even worse "Charlie St. Cloud" were not only big box office disappointments, but cast serious doubt on Zac's future in Hollywood.  Suddenly, it's not enough to just be a nice, good looking, unbelievably straight-laced guy in Hollywood.

People are looking for something much more.

Lately a new crop of actors have been getting attention.  The sometimes awkward, "weirdo" guys that audiences now seem to embrace with fervor.  It's no longer the trend to be the cool, smooth, classically handsome guy in showbiz.  The insane popularity of the likes of Ryan Gosling, James Franco, Shia Labeouf, Joseph Gordon Levitt and even Jesse Eisenberg have changed all that.  These are actors who embrace complex, intense projects without the typical all American, play it safe attitudes.  Yes Shia is in the franchise "Transformers" but it's undeniable that he doesn't possess the typical leading male looks and that there is a certain edge to him – this is the guy who freely discusses his difficult childhood raised by a drug addicted father and selling hot dogs at Echo Park dressed as a clown to make ends meet.  And yes, Ryan Gosling did "The Notebook," but has gone on to be one of the most sought after and respected actors of his age group.  And it's no secret how unconventional he is, earning the rep of being a bit of a recluse and telling GQ that he takes up odd shifts at a deli just so he can experience having a "real job."

The point is that people are no longer interested in perfect guys with perfect looks doing everything right all the time.  Perhaps Zac didn't get the memo.  Yes, teenage girls probably fawned over those baby blues in "Charlie St. Cloud", but anyone over the age of 16 rolled their eyes at even just the image of Zac staring into the abyss with a tear going down his eye.  I remember sitting in a movie theater, and yes, the audience actually laughed when the trailer came on.  My point?  It's getting cheesy to be the perfect guy all the time.

It's also a bad sign when guys are embarrassed to like you.  I have a ton of guy friends who have no problem admitting to liking Leonardo Dicaprio, Brad Pitt or James Franco.  But mention Zac Efron or Ashton Kutcher?  Not a chance.

Which brings me back to R Patz.  In every magazine profile I've read of him, he's clearly conflicted about having been shot to fame by portraying a sparkly vampire, and is almost desperate to break away from that persona of being nothing but a handsome guy.  Case in point?  Turning down a very lucrative deal to be the face of Burberry.  The deal would have given him even more international exposure, not to mention the fact that he would probably get to pose with the highly respected Emma Watson, who herself endorses the classic British brand.

But I sincerely think he's making a mistake.  I mean, if James Franco can be the face of Gucci, and turn around and make fun of himself endorsing Gucci in a viral Funny or Die video, surely endorsing such an established, respected brand as Burberry for crying out loud (we're not talking Abercrombie & Fitch here folks) wouldn't hurt.  Perhaps Robert needs to stop shunning his looks and embrace the fact that perhaps he can be both – handsome and a fantastic actor a la Ryan Gosling and James Franco.  Because trying too hard to erase a definite part of yourself is perhaps just as bad as never trying something new.

Robert does seem to hold his own in the trailer though, as he should.  Working opposite such professional, respected actors as Reese and Christoph hopefully helped him step his game up, and it also puts him in good company.  Yes, Robert is handsome, but hopefully he makes himself into something more.  His next few movies will probably determine if he's going in the direction of Leo or if he'll be just another novelty that couldn't take the sudden enormous popularity of a beloved movie character.  Anyone remember Freddie Prinze Jr.?

Didn't think so.

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