[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]In Hollywood, there is a self-created word they use now and again, which is…
…Afflucked.
Let me explain.
In 2013 the world was shocked when the Academy Awards snubbed Ben Affleck for his directing on the film Argo. He also starred in the movie.
No one could quite work it out. His directing was of an extremely high standard, and he had even won a Golden Globe for best director that year, but he was not even nominated for an Oscar.
Why?
Well, there are plenty of theories, but the main one is compelling.
Hollywood, ironically, doesn’t like people showing off. If someone is already successful, they tend not to like them getting out of their lane and trying to be more successful in other areas. They prefer people to stick to what they do. They also like the underdog or the unheard of.
So when Affleck tried his hand at directing and pulled off a corker and also starred in it, the Academy shunned him.
So now when someone who should be getting recognition but doesn’t, is said to be Afflucked.
Bradley Cooper is about to well and truly Afflucked this Sunday at the Oscars.
Why?
Here is my humble (but accurate) opinion on it.
1. Bradley is getting out of his box. He not only stars in it but co-wrote it, directed it and co-wrote the music for it. All of it is brilliantly done. I don’t think the Academy will approve.
2. The film itself deals with a subject matter that is a bit close to the bone — spoiler alert. We have a successful musician who squanders his talent due to substance abuse and a rising star who becomes egotistical and betrays others and herself in the pursuit of fame. This could be a summary of what happens every day in LA. It’s a bit close to the bone. I doubt the Academy will like a mirror being held up like this.
3. The Awards scene. There is a scene in A Star Is Born – spoiler alert – where Bradley’s character goes on the stage with Lady Gaga’s character to accept an award. He is extremely drunk and urinates in his trousers and falls over making a mockery of the award ceremony. Definitely to close to the bone for the Academy methinks.
If this was just a competition about the best actor, Bradley should win hands down. Anyone who knows anything about acting would be able to see that. It’s no contest.
It’s Method Acting at its best not only by Bradley but Lady Gaga too.
Perhaps years from now, people will look back and wonder why this film and the performances never got the recognition it deserved.
The Afflucking commences this Sunday evening.
Brian Timoney
The Master Of The Method[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]