Steve Carell: Bigger Star or Comet?
There is an excellent article in the current "New Yorker" about Carell and the new school of improv comedy that got our staff to thinking about what the future holds for the biggest comedy star in the world.
His funniest movie remains, hands down, "40 Year Old Virgin." In that movie Carell steered clear of his usual "dumb guy" characters; instead he played a sweet, intelligent but shy, middle aged virgin, Andy. The funny stuff came from Andy being aware of how strange he appeared to those around him. Carell in many of his movies and on "The Office" has generally played stupid people not aware of how idiotic they really are, but we feel that that is MUCH LESS funny than a smart guy aware of his own shortcomings.
Think of "Seinfeld": those four characters were intensely aware of what creeps they were, but they still moved forward with their selfish plans and hijinks. That, to us, is what made it to incredibly hilarious: Smart people acting like idiots. NOT dumb people acting dumb, as Steve Carell seems to be leaning towards as his career moves forward.
Playing smart guys who do dumb things is a difficult trick, but we wouldn't bet against Carell pulling it off (again), especially if he chooses to work with brilliant directors like Judd Apatow consistently. But if he stays with the dumb guys doing dumb things, he will be a fading memory before the decade is over. Here's wishing him luck...
His funniest movie remains, hands down, "40 Year Old Virgin." In that movie Carell steered clear of his usual "dumb guy" characters; instead he played a sweet, intelligent but shy, middle aged virgin, Andy. The funny stuff came from Andy being aware of how strange he appeared to those around him. Carell in many of his movies and on "The Office" has generally played stupid people not aware of how idiotic they really are, but we feel that that is MUCH LESS funny than a smart guy aware of his own shortcomings.
Think of "Seinfeld": those four characters were intensely aware of what creeps they were, but they still moved forward with their selfish plans and hijinks. That, to us, is what made it to incredibly hilarious: Smart people acting like idiots. NOT dumb people acting dumb, as Steve Carell seems to be leaning towards as his career moves forward.
Playing smart guys who do dumb things is a difficult trick, but we wouldn't bet against Carell pulling it off (again), especially if he chooses to work with brilliant directors like Judd Apatow consistently. But if he stays with the dumb guys doing dumb things, he will be a fading memory before the decade is over. Here's wishing him luck...
posted by joe sweeney at 6:14 PM
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