"I have a feeling he felt Jon Voight had run away with the film, which he didn't, though he was brilliant in it, in a much less easy part. I just don't know what had got into him, but something had"
- John Schlesinger
About this Quote
This quote by John Schlesinger offers a fascinating insight into the characteristics and beliefs surrounding the creation of a movie, especially the intricate interplay between actors and directors. Schlesinger is likely describing his experience directing the 1969 film "Midnight Cowboy," in which Jon Voight played a starring role along with Dustin Hoffman. In this reflection, several crucial styles emerge, each worth delving into for a fuller interpretation.
Firstly, the expression "I sense he felt Jon Voight had run away with the film" suggests a perception, possibly on the part of another star or someone associated with the film's production, that Jon Voight's efficiency was so compelling or controling that it overshadowed other elements of the film. This sentiment isn't uncommon in movie, where standout efficiencies can in some cases eclipse the ensemble nature of a task or develop stress amongst cast members.
Nevertheless, Schlesinger rapidly clarifies, "which he didn't, though he was dazzling in it," suggesting that while Voight provided an exceptional performance, it didn't interfere with the film's total balance. By acknowledging Voight's brilliance, Schlesinger is recognizing the actor's skill and the depth he brought to a "much less simple part," suggesting that Voight's role was especially tough and necessary substantial skill to execute.
The ambiguity in "I just don't understand what had got into him, but something had" mean a mystical or unanticipated change in somebody's behavior or mindset throughout the filmmaking procedure. This might describe different possibilities: possibly an actor's unexpected surge in self-confidence, a shift in the social characteristics on set, or external pressures impacting someone's conduct.
The quote encapsulates a director's nuanced perspective, stabilizing admiration for a star's craft with the recommendation of the subtle tensions that accompany collaborative artistic efforts. Schlesinger's reflections expose the delicate nature of imaginative collaborations and the unpredictable elements that can affect the production of a film.
"Nature gives to every time and season some beauties of its own; and from morning to night, as from the cradle to the grave, it is but a succession of changes so gentle and easy that we can scarcely mark their progress"