Wednesday, July 25, 2007
News Judging Julia
Posted by David Lee Simmons on Wed, Jul 25, 2007 at 7:28 PM
Well, it was only a matter of time before Julia Roberts, the pride of Smyrna, would get the Big Nod from American Cinematheque, which recognizes achievement in filmmaking long before Hollywood types are too old to appreciate them. Last year Roberts handed off the award to George Clooney at the 21st annual ceremony; fellow box-office/critics’ darlings Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman have also recently basked in the glow. Seems to be the right thing to do for these folks as they stare down 40. (Roberts will hit that mark Oct. 28.)
While she’s been an Oscar contender (Pretty Woman, Steel Magnolias) and ultimately a winner (2001’s Erin Brockovich) over the years and is easily one of Hollywood’s biggest stars, Roberts has hit a bit of a patch since her Oscar win. What gives? At her best, Roberts has done a stellar job of turning her firecracker persona into showcase performances — with Erin Brockovich seemingly the perfect fit. At her worst, she's simply annoying.
Since 2001 it feels like she’s suffered a kind of Oscar jinx that many actors and actresses suffer from. Or maybe it’s as simple as spending more time raising her three children: twins Hazel and Phinnaeus (born 2004) and son Henry (June 18). Still, spending more time with Steven Soderberg (Ocean’s Eleven and Twelve, Full Frontal), voicing cartoons (Charlotte’s Web, The Ant Bully) or even brainier fare such as Closer hasn’t done much for Julia with the Academy voters.
In fact, the nine live-action films Roberts has made since Erin Brockovich have averaged a less-than-stellar 52 percent rating on Rotten Tomatoes’ “Critics Tomatometer,†which gauges critical response to films. (For perspective, Erin Brockovich scored an 84; 70 or above is considered “fresh†while anything below that is “rotten.â€)
Next up for Julia: Charlie Wilson’s War, a reunion with Closer director Mike Nicholls based on the true story of a congressman (Tom Hanks) helping Afghan rebels against the Soviets back in the 1980s — due out Christmas Day.
Show us your gift again, Julia. We’re all due for a winner.
Roberts will receive the award at a ceremony held Oct. 12 in Beverly Hills; AMC will air the show Dec. 5.
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