Here’s a great article that was written by Remember Me Saturday
In terms of Robert Pattinson, Hollywood has one thing on its mind right now and that’s money. Can he open a film on his own? Can the name Robert Pattinson deliver derrieres in seats when it counts, March 12-14, 2010?
Remember Me is Pattinson’s first film outside the Twilight franchise. While it has a small budget and is technically considered an indie film without the backing of a huge studio, the media, the general movie-going public and Hollywood itself, have all been busy spinning this film as a rather big litmus test for Pattinson’s future as an actor and Hollywood’s idea of a movie star.
In a little over 14 months, Pattinson has gone from “that guy in Harry Potter” to one of the brightest, fastest, rising young stars we’ve had in recent memory. His ethereal face graces the covers of countless magazines and he is the topic of so much baseless gossip across the Internet that even Pattinson has most likely lost track of his own self-described “boring” story. The spotlight has been resting squarely on his shoulders since before Twilight opened in November 2008 and today, it shows little evidence of letting up. But Hollywood wants what it wants and right now, what it wants is proof that Robert Pattinson is more than Edward Cullen and that he can put money in pockets. More money, that is.
While Pattinson became the face of the Twilight saga and arguably the breakout star of a franchise that has raked in well over a billion dollars, this is a vital time for his career. And a career does seem to be what he is quietly intent on seeking.
As a writer named Albrian on an Internet movie blog expressed it, “There is a quiet steely determination to succeed. The self deprecating quotes are a smokescreen for an ambitious young man.”
The media constantly churns out stories asking if Robert Pattinson is the the new Depp, new James Dean, the new this, the new that. They desperately want him to be the new something, throwing out impossibly high standards and competitions that can never be won. Depp, Pitt, Clooney, and DiCaprio…all the major movie star names you can think of. Pattinson has been held up to the light and compared against them all, but to anyone with a little common sense, it’s kind of like pitting a GED against Ph.D. in terms of sheer experience and acting credits. Of course when has the media (or random people on the Internet) ever had common sense?
Read more after the jump!
Pattinson is a great story; charming, sweet, British and handsome with a huge and very loyal fanbase that believes he’s talented. Just how talented? With the likes of Chris Cooper, Kristin Scott Thomas, Allen Coulter and Declan Donnellan among others signing on to work with him, it seems pretty certain that his fans have bet on a good horse.
Pattinson appeared on the Hollywood scene almost overnight. With his now recognizable name on everyone’s tongue and flowing out of everyone else’s pen, his sudden fame makes him a very easy target. And the media is determined to keep talking about “the new guy.” One day he’s the golden boy and the next he’s being taken to task for the kind of fame he never even dreamed for himself. Depending on date and time, Pattinson is talented, he’s not, he smells, he doesn’t, he’s stuck up, he’s down to earth, he’s hilarious, he’s whines too much, he’s sweet, he’s mean, he’s in, he’s out, he’s up, he’s down.
The truth? He’s just human, and by all accounts, a pretty decent, gracious and very grateful guy who’s got to be overwhelmed by the wishy washy celebrity vortex he’s found himself in during the past year.
Then there’s Hollywood, and Hollywood is nothing if not impatient. Apparently time and experience is something Hollywood doesn’t believe in anymore. “You’ve only been famous for a short while and you’ve only acted in a handful of teeny, tiny films few people have ever even seen? Too bad! You’re “it” and you’re now expected to open a film and open it big or we’ll tear you down some more, Robert Pattinson! You must earn your fame young man!”
Sound like the dreams Hollywood is made of?
As the happy man in Pretty Woman says, “Welcome to Hollywood! What’s your dream? Everybody comes here; this is Hollywood, land of dreams. Some dreams come true, some don’t; but keep on dreamin’ – this is Hollywood. Always time to dream, so keep on dreamin.”
Of course the media and the public (not to mention random people on the Internet) don’t exactly know what Robert Pattinson’s dream actually is. All evidence seems to point to Pattinson wanting good career as a working actor where he has the ability to make interesting, even risky choices — A career that he can be proud of and a career in which the media doesn’t compare him to anyone but Robert Pattinson. After all, he never asked for the comparisons in the first place. The guy just took a job.
Only time will tell if Robert Pattinson’s dream parallel’s Hollywood’s dream for him and vice versa.
Stars rise and fall. We live in a celebrity culture that feeds on building people up to tear them down. It’s the law of nature in Hollywood and all over the world, really. And like it or not, Remember Me is a test. Hollywood will be watching — watching to see what happens at the box office opening weekend, watching to see if Robert Pattinson can pull in a wider audience sprinkled with all ages and sexes, watching to see if an audience will accept him in a role that doesn’t require white makeup and an annoying love interest named Bella.
That’s about the only thing Pattinson can be sure of right now; Hollywood will be watching. Needless to say, with the guy who flatly refused media training and seems to be very much his own man floating around in a big, fat, sea of sameness, Hollywood should be getting a damn good show.
And heck, should the big test falter this time out for Rob, remember…Hollywood loves comeback stories. Comeback stories are what it’s built on.
Source: Remember Me Saturday
Thinking of Rob 
For once an article that has depth, love it! Having got all but one film of Rob’s “Summer House”, he is very diverse in his character choices and a credit to himself. Its about time that other people saw these amazing films and not just him as Edward Cullen because he’s so much more!
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I agree with Noodles. Love the article. I’ve kinda felt sorry for the guy, because like the article says, he took a job and I doubt he expected this kind of fame. or the kind of ridiculous stuff published everyday. But he seems to eb handling it all with grace, good for him, and I hope he will be able to establish himself as a working actor. As a fan, I’m definitely planning to watch Remember me, because I think the guy can act, and want to see him play someone other than Edward Cullen.
This was an excellent article. I really believe Rob Pattinson has the chops to be the next Johnny Depp, Leo DiCaprio, Etc. There hasn’t been one in awhile and we are ready. He is glorious on screen, seems incredibly talented both as an actor and as a musician, and actually turned what could have been a cheesy teen flick into a cultural phenomenon. Vampires are everywhere now. Some of the scenes from Vampire Diaries are so close to the Twilight scenes that it seems, well, obscene. I have no doubt that people will come out in droves to see him in Remember Me. I’ll be there at the opening. Any chance to see Rob Pattinson bigger than life at the theater is high on my priority list. My hope is that he can keep his head in all of this. Evidence so far is that he can.
Great article. Hollywood is brutal !! This is a lot of pressure to put on him. Lets all pull together as fans and make sure that Remember opens its first weekend as #1 at the box office. Go Rob !!!
I agree. Finally a good article that looks at all the sides. I really don’t care what Hollywood thinks. Apart from the ‘Summer house’ I own all of Rob’s movies. He is more than Edward Cullen and he will prove it, I am sure. I will be in th theatre when ‘Remember me’ opens. I’m a fan for life. Go on Rob, show them what you’re made off!
I am 100% confident that Rob will pull it off; as he’s proved in HP, the Haunted Airman, How To Be and Little Ashes, he is so much more than sparkly, handsome Edward Cullen. Rob is amazing and I cannot wait for Remember Me; I’m a huge Pattinson fan and I’ll be the first one there to watch it!
of course he can open a movie by himself. this movie looks amazing! i have been wanting to see it since i heard the story line. i would still want to see it if Rob wasn’t on it. i think that he will do a great job and have full confidence in him!
I agree 🙂
I wish this article would be read by all those people out there who are trying to make this young man be something for themselves, whether to build him up into this fantasy person or tear him down and hate him. He is a young actor who is trying to be the best he can be. He’s learning, building on experience and could be a great actor. I wish he would just have that opportunity.
He has enough of a following to open this movie in a big way. I look forward to watching his career. I am rooting for Robert Pattinson.
this is a very good, objective and honest article. what a rarity;i applaud the author!!
As for rob..the man has it and time will evidence this.Its not just his looks or the chemistry he projects; he has an ability to conect and engage an audience: he is believable and that is a rarity.
I like this article, it’s quite balanced and succinctly verbalises my thoughts on this matter. I have been secretly chuckling at how well Rob has been keeping his private life private. Nobody REALLY knows what’s going on and it’s driving the fans and general paparazzi/internet community mad. As many people have thus far stated – only time will tell how successful he becomes. I can see some real potential in this kid – he CAN act, though he’s had some difficult material to work with (hint hint – get another script writer for ‘Breaking Dawn’), but the shorts I’ve seen for ‘Remember Me’, reveal some fine acting. Good luck to him!
One of the best articles I’ve read yet!! Thanks to the writer for such an honest and real account of Rob Pattinson and the realities of Hollywood.
Rob’s a down to earth, honest and normal guy – rare qualities in an actor, and this comes across on screen. He has the endearing quality of self-deprecation….and he’s pretty easy on the eye too!! All reasons why he’s so popular and a great actor!
I’m a huge fan…and I’m not a teenager….far from it!!
I can see him having a long and successful career in the film industry. I look forward to following his career and watching him become a huge star. I can see him portraying iconic figures in history, as he has that type of “presence” about him.
And the great thing is that I can’t see the fame changing him one bit!!
I’m behind you all the way, Rob!!
from an Australian fan xxxx
Excellent article. I totally agree. I think Rob can pull it off. I hope Hollywood critics will give him a chance. I don’t understand the haters at all – Rob seems like a good, hardworking and talented person. I’ll be supporting Remember Me opening weekend. Sign me a huge fan.
Congratulations to the author! A very objective article. Can Rob open a
movie? You bet he can. I am a fan of his, not be cause of Twilight, but
because of the other films he has appeared in. He’emembers very versital in his
choices of films and he has shown raw talent in these early films. I am not a teenager, but a much older fan. I will be there with my husband to
see Remember Me. And I fully expect to see a great performance from this
very talented young man.
a
POR SUPUESTO QUE SI, ES UN GRAN ACTOR Y UNA PERSONA MARAVILLOSA. LO AMO.
Somewhere in between screaming fans and resentful, ignorant critics are those people who are intelligent yet also struck by Robert’s awesome charisma, on and off-screen. Because he is probably the most gorgeous male the world has seen in 50 years–oh, wait, has never seen before–people can not get past that and they either go hysterical or assume a backlash position. In short, I don’t think anyone can really be objective about this sensitive, talented actor because, just as with Marilyn Monroe, no one can get past his looks and his magnetism to figure out just how good an actor he is.
When RM was being filmed, all outdoor scenes were excuses for the paps and fans to congregate and mob him; geez he needed about half a dozen body guards. His ability to focus, to concentrate on his job, must have been sorely tested. (Note: Christian Bale, ranting obscenely to a hapless lighting crew member, had, obviously, no ability to focus. Robert didn’t blow a gasket with all the distractions surrounding him during the filming of RM. He showed a great deal of control. It is called grace under pressure.)
My point is that Robert’s performance, which, from the trailer, looks great, would have to have been the result of intense concentration, and probably frustration, resulting from the working environment the paps/fans created and over which he had no control.
He is a self-effacing man who wants to learn his craft, and for the critics and studios to expect so much of him now–that is, to ‘open’ a film–is cruel. It puts inhumane pressure on him. He is a human being who deserves a chance to have his work fairly evaluated. It isn’t fair, either to applaud him because of mindless adoration, or to scoff at his efforts merely to counter that adoration. Neither are helpful.
There are many jealous males out there who cannot stand the avid interest their girlfriends/wives have in Robert. By now, only the ignorant would think his fanbase is only teenage girls. Robert’s charisma extends beyond his drop-dead magnificent looks, and what happens then is jealousy, envy, resentment. Anyone extraordinary is rarely judged fairly because human beings–although they adore and admire this person–want to pull him or her down. This is a Nietzschean idea and he got it right.
Robert is a very smart man who senses this destructive attitude.
God almighty, yes he can ‘open’ a film; he’s actually already proven that with Twilight because no one would have responded as they did to those trailers just because Edward would be brought to life. No, people responded to Robert’s Edward. No one else could have pulled this off and rocketed the film into the stratosphere like he did. Oh, Meyer’s book is really popular, but, let’s get real, without Robert’s performance the movie would have fizzled. Don’t kid yourself. He not only opened Twilight, he made it the blockbuster it is. He himself likes to think fans are responding to Edward, not to him, but I think he’s wrong; it is a little lie he’s telling himself to pretend the frenzy is not about HIM. It’s a defense mechanism, because he senses that destruction I mentioned.
I, for one, wish him all the best: authentic, deepening roles; a meaningful private life and the opportunity to have one; a chance to pursue music as he wishes. He deserves it, not this endless misuse of him.