John Cusack: What Happened?

purple_hatstand

In the last number of weeks, I've rewatched The Grifters, High Fidelity and Grosse Point Blank and been reminded again of what a charismatic and likeable actor John Cusack is. I also remember him being great in political thrillers like True Colors and City Hall as well as, of course, his purple patch of teen comedies in the mid-late-'80's.

I, for one, had high hopes for him continuing to grow into a maturing career and the signs were good - Being John Malkovich, the aforementioned High Fidelity and Max (which, although not great, was a step in a new direction) but the 2000's has seen him star in an almost unbroken chain of nonsense thrillers and worse rom-coms culminating in 2012 which must represent something of a nadir.

I wonder if anyone has any theories about what's happened to him in the last 10 years? Or am I wrong to think there's anything wrong?

humanji

I always found that he simply played himself in every film he's in. That's not really a bad thing as, as you say, he's a charismatic and likeable actor. But I never really saw a change in his style. So maybe he jsut doesn't seem as bankable an actor as he once was and isn't getting that many good roles. The industry moved on and he didn't?

niallon

In my opinion he redeemed himself with Hot Tub Time Machine, bloody hilarious film!

humanji is right though, the industry moved on and Cusack didn't but I think he can catch up.

kumate_champ07

I saw War Inc. recently, badly executed movie, his performance reminded me of a poor man's Bill Murray, maybe when he's lost his youthfulness that's who he'll be up against for roles?

Nolanger

He's not 'hip' anymore. He's too straight for this era.

Skinfull

It stopped being cool to "break the 4th wall" and he is KING of breaking the 4th wall. I love me some Cusak. But then to veer towards early stuff like the Sure Thing, Say Anything etc. But I really enjoy Con Air and 2012 in a mind escaping popcorn filled couple of hours. HTTM was absolute cack and he should have steered clear. Though I think he has a few more gems left in him. C'MON CUSAK!!!

Dermighty

He wasn't bad in that one with Samuel L. Jackson, about the hotel. 1401?

FlashD

I always thought Cusack was moving along at a fairly steady pace, he is always on the radar doing something, sticks his head into the odd blockbuster now and again to keep the bills ticking over.

I don't think he has had a massive hit along the lines of High Fidelity or Grosse Point Blank in a while though but it's kind of like that for most actors, not everyone can be top all of the time.

I think he has gotten too old for the roles he has been playing and he just needs to move on and find a new niche. I'd like to see him play something a bit more edgy, his roles to date have always been very 'mild-mannered'.

LittleBook

FlashD wrote: »

I always thought Cusack was moving along at a fairly steady pace, he is always on the radar doing something, sticks his head into the odd blockbuster now and again to keep the bills ticking over.

I don't think he has had a massive hit along the lines of High Fidelity or Grosse Point Blank in a while though but it's kind of like that for most actors, not everyone can be top all of the time.

I think he has gotten too old for the roles he has been playing and he just needs to move on and find a new niche. I'd like to see him play something a bit more edgy, his roles to date have always been very 'mild-mannered'.

+ 1

I love him but the guy averages about two films a year, plenty of room for bombs and gems.

djimi

Has always been one of my favorite actors, some of this movies such as High Fidelity, Grosse Point Blank, Say Anything, Better Off Dead, The Sure Thing, Identity, even Serendipity and Americas Sweethearts being among my favorite films. I dont think he was ever going to be a classic actor that was going to star in epic movies, but he is very good at what he does. Even some of his newer movies such as 1408 and Hot Tub Time Machine are very good.

For my money Grosse Point Blank and High Fidenlity are two of the best comedies in recent years, and both are very much down to Cusack.

mike65

John Cusack is the Jeff Goldblum of his generation, kinda cool and groovy. With Goldblum is went lots of interesting and varied early films, then phone-in performances in production line summer blockbusters and then a bit of a wobble and then "hello TV".

fluke

mike65 wrote: »

John Cusack is the Jeff Goldblum of his generation, kinda cool and groovy. With Goldblum is went lots of interesting and varied early films, then phone-in performances in production line summer blockbusters and then a bit of a wobble and then "hello TV".

God I miss Jeff Goldblum in movies

DrumSteve

iMax

kumate_champ07 wrote: »

I saw War Inc. recently

Originally written as a sequel to GPB (one of the best movies, EVER.), unfortunately, they couldn't get permission to use the characters & it had to be re-written. Could have been good. Wasn't.

Personally I think he's too "soft". You wouldn't trust him in the role of a bad guy (even Martin Blank wasn't a "bad" guy), as an action hero he's a no-go, he's more the rom com type of guy & that has a very short shelf life.

He needs to play a "cripple gay guy that climbed Mt. Whitney" to get the chance to change direction.

fluke

iMax wrote: »

Personally I think he's too "soft". You wouldn't trust him in the role of a bad guy (even Martin Blank wasn't a "bad" guy), as an action hero he's a no-go, he's more the rom com type of guy & that has a very short shelf life.

Yeah he just seems too...slight! Identity was okay B-movie fare but he just seemed to be playing John Cusack as John Cusack. It doesn't help that a lot of the movies he's picked recently have been crap - 2012 and 1402 were pants.

Hot Tub Time Machine was pretty dull and even then he's reverting to his 80's type guy.

purple_hatstand

All good points - too old to play the roles we remember him for any more, too nice for edgier, darker roles and still a bit too baby-faced to play serious, grown-up roles (he's 44 but he doesn't look it - how long before you'd believe him playing a US President, for example?).

Mike could be right, TV might be the answer. Lots of Hollywood stars who had bigish careers in the '80's and '90's have had success in TV in recent years...

Liam O

I'd say he made some serious money for 2012 and tbh, I thought that movie was hilarious even if it was supposed to be (at least semi) serious.

niallon

It's called 1408...sorry, just had to chime in!

fluke

niallon wrote: »

It's called 1408...sorry, just had to chime in!

cool my bad

Agricola

Yeah hes been typecast and now hes at an age where hes not really wanted for alot of the roles he did back in the day. He will always pop up from time to time as he is a good actor.
I think alot of apathy towards hollywood has set in too. He was interviewed for an Irish newspaper supplement afew months back and from what the journalist wrote you get the impression of a man who just wants to be as far from hollywood as possible, but who is willing to turn up now and then to pocket afew million for a run of the mill film.