Today, in the UK Evening Standard Newspaper, Robert Pattinson was humourously described as the "most charismatically repellent leading man." Robert Pattinson would no doubt be amused at how quickly Edward Cullen's achingly chivalrous character has left the memories of some - but he probably wouldn't mind either.In ES' 's write-up, they are referring, of course, to Pattinson's forthcoming explicit new film, Bel Ami, adapted from Guy de Maupassant's irresistibly, appealing story about a predatory ex-soldier using his ... ahem ... considerable attributes to cut a swathe through period Paris.
Calling the forthcoming Bel Ami "astonishing," the ES said that Pattinson's character "Georges Duroy," made "Valmont in Les Liaisons Dangereuses look like a puppy." That's some puppy. But the point is taken.
The role of Duroy is a complete 180 from Pattinson's iconic turn as "Edward Cullen." Whereas Edward - a vampire, lets remember - went out of his way to ensure Bella stayed a virgin as long as possible, Duroy would see such a deflowering as the ultimate extreme sport. And where Edward balked at having sex before marriage -Duroy pretty much insists on it. One could go on, but you get the picture. Duroy's a thoroughly bad sort. But perhaps that's the attraction for Robert Pattinson - and for audiences too?
Think of some of the nastiest characters in cinema in recent times that have captured the imagination of movie-goers, and it's clear we're a long way from the wholesome days of John Wayne, Ryan O'Neal, Robert Redford, Tom Hanks - and even Steven Segal. Sign of the times? Maybe.
But it is true that more and more, the big male hitters in Hollywood have taken on parts that challenge traditional "Good guy" roles - and done very well at box office because of that risk. Take Michael Douglas's venal financier in Wall Street, Richard Gere's corrupt cop in Internal Affairs, Robert De Nero's disturbing turn in Cape Fear, and even Jack Nicholson's mad mafia boss in The Departed.
Yes, bad guys make us scream, wince, and grip the sides of our sofas - but they sure get our attention. A fact which may well be one of the reasons why Robert Pattinson was attracted to "Georges Duroy." Aside from the obvious of wanting to ex
perience something utterly different from Edward, playing a bad guy must be fun. You get to be bad without actually being bad.
Bel Ami opens March 2 in the UK and the U.S. Robert Pattinson as you've never seen him before is the draw. And these days guilty pleasure has never been more attractive!
Source: http://entertainment.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981077367
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