Pop Culture for Fun

  There’s rarely a case where talented directors seek out new talent for a film’s lead, or constantly challenge their own vision by choosing someone they haven’t worked with. In most cases, if they’re lucky, they find that one (or several in some cases) actor that clicks with them and form a collaboration. Often throughout the history of film these collaborations have resulted in great career or both director and actor, not rarely leading to masterpieces. This was the case with Mel Brooks and Gene Wilder, Hitchcock and James Stewart or Cary Grant, Elia Kazan and Marlon Brando, or John Ford and John Wayne. Apologizing for the lack of actresses in this list, here’s some of the most lucrative present day dynamic duos:

Tim Burton and Johnny Depp

  I’ve seen a lot of people complain about Burton’s consistent casting of Depp in lead roles, but no matter how you look at it, it just feels right. Burton has been known to surround himself with the same crew of people while filming (case in point: Danny Elfman). And they gave us some unforgettable movies (Edward ScissorHands, Sleepy Hollow, and most recently Sweeney Todd). Their next project: a film based on a TV show, called Dark Shadow – Johnny Depp as a vampire, I’ve seen it coming for a long time.

Martin Scorsese and Leonardo DiCaprio

  DiCaprio’s career wasn’t much after the backlash of Titanic’s popularity. A couple of years after that, fate lead Scorsese to pick him for the role of the son of an Irish immigrant hellbent of revenge. And this was the start of a great partnership resulting in some good (Aviator, Gangs of New York) and one great movies (The Departed). Basically DiCaprio is Scorsese’s new De Niro, what with the aging bull. Their next project: Shutter Island, a murder mistery set in 1954 (if Leo’s version of Teddy Roosevelt doesn’t get released first). After seeing Catch Me If You Can, I can say DiCaprio is meant for roles set in the ’50s-’60s.

Christopher Nolan and Christian Bale

  Two of them may be part of a franchise, but I have no doubt Nolan favors the welsh actor, as seen in his truly amazing (yet imperfect) The Prestige. Bale seems to be the perfect conduit for Nolan’s talent of psychological drama in dark, violent, unforgiving worlds. Their next project: unknown. Bale’s near future work will include films with Michael Mann (can’t wait for Public Enemies), McG (yup, finally a worthy actor for the grown up John Connor) and Joe Carnahan. But a third Batman movie is definitely not out of the question.

Ridley Scott and Russell Crowe

  Now here’s a tough nut to crack. This is by far one of the best duos on the list. Sure, they’ve had only one great movie (Gladiator, and what a movie), a good one (American Gangster, frankly I expected just a bit more) and two decent ones (A Good Year and the delightful Virtuosity), but this is one team that has all it takes to produce a masterpiece. Despite Crowe’s personality, and Scott’s erratic, yet admirable, choice of work, I’m have high expectations from this dynamic duo. Their next project might just fulfill those. And I’m not talking about Nottingham (I firmly believe no great movie can come from Robin Hood’s story), but of Body of Lies, in which Crowe stars opposite DiCaprio (maybe back in Blood Diamond state of mind).

Tony Scott and Denzel Washington

  Flipping the page, you find Ridley’s brother, whom some might argue has less talent, yet as a film-maker I rank him just as high. It’s his choice and taste in films that have lead to those assumptions, though I find it hard to imagine the action movie today without Scott. These two have made above average action movies with heart starting back with Crimson Tide and through Man on Fire (definitely their best collaboration) and Deja Vu. Denzel’s stoic yet human portrayal of character goes well with Scott’s stylized action. Their next project: The Taking of Pelham 123, a thriller about a subway hijacking. I expect this one to be less claustrophobic, and more gritty than usual.

David Fincher and Brad Pitt

  Say what you will, but these two have given the world two great cult movies. The visual mastery of Fincher’s dark flawed worlds goes well with Pitt’s daring flair for lead men. Se7en was terrifying, but Fight Club put Fincher on the map and gave Pitt the broader choice in roles. Their next project: The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, a tale of a man aging backwards. Casting one of the most attractive male stars out there is a no brainer (not that he can’t act-see The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Rober Ford for references), but what I’m really interested in is how Fincher will handle it (especially since the near-perfect Zodiac).

  And there are other dynamic duos out there, ranging from Wes Anderson and Owen Wilson to David Cronenberg and Viggo Mortensen (I wouldn’t be surprised at another collaboration after the great A History of Violence and Eastern Promises). And what can I say, except that I’m a fan, of all of these.

Posted on July 28th, 2008 by MrWiseguy
Filed under: Movies