I have to admit that I didn't think the age gap was 20 years between Sam Neil and Laura Dern. I thought Laura looked much older actually.
And why are age gap relationships being shamed anyway?
https://www.express.co.uk/entertainment/films/1614465/jurassic-world-laura-dern-sam-neill-chris-pratt-age-difference
I always thought she was in her thirties at that time, because presumably the character was in her thirties. Dr. Ellie was an established scientist in the kind of field where people don't typically establish themselves until their thirties, and she had the right air of maturity. And since Sam Neill had a slight air of immaturity, they just didn't come off as a younger-woman-older-man couple.
And in my experience, people usually only age-shame couples when the older partner treats the younger one like a trophy or a toy. Or when the age gap is >30-40 years.
I never suspected an unusual age gap either, nothing more than what is the typical between men and women especially for the time. Good point about her character being older than 23 as it is unlikely she would have that level of influence as someone who would really be just out of college in her field. She also did act older than 23.
shareA 23-year-old paleontologist might be a grad student, but probably their first year of grad school! But to be a top paleontologist, well, I'd think thirties at the youngest.
And yes, Dern did seem older than 23, and I'm not surprised by that as really good actors can play younger or older than they are, or even play beauties when they're not physically beautiful (Cate Blanchette did this for years). Also, Dern seems to have that naturally ageless quality that's so useful to an actor, people like Angela Lansbury and Patrick Stewart spend decade after decade looking vaguely middle-aged, never seeming to be young, and never seeming to be old until they passed 80.
It’s just funny how make a big deal about things so many decades later. All in the name of Woke, Molly Ringwood did the same in regards to the upskirt scene in The Breakfast Club.
I know it’s all publicity driven. If woke never happened they would be coming up with something else or just praising the 20 year age gap.
I was aware of it, knowing at the time that Dern was in her early twenties. I think because she had been acting in mature movies from a very early age - the Lynch films, Smooth Talk, Rambling Rose etc - she perhaps seemed older than her years.
shareI was like Neil not even thinking about it. The article got the son wrong though, he was Dern's and her husband's, not hers and Neil's.
shareI always thought Dern’s character was in her early to mid 30s. I was shocked when I read she and her character were in their early 20s.
shareYep I doubt someone in their early 20’s could even have the qualifications her character had. She looked much older and Neil younger so it just evened out, at least in appearance.
shareNOT I.
shareI guess it worked out alright. In the last film the couple reconciled.
shareDern, who was just 23-years-old at the time of filming Jurassic Park, was in an on-screen relationship with the 44-year-old Neill.
That's my point, I thought they looked like an age appropriate couple. Dern did look a lot older. Neil looked younger.
Age gaps are only shamed when the man is older. It is another anti male thing. It would be celebrated if an older actress had a much younger co star.
That's why we have only started hearing about it in the past few years. Actresses like Dern trying to make some headlines, it's like an extension of #metoo.
Maybe J Law was trying to play too young in regards to her own character?
I re watched a movie called "Class" from 1983. No one worried about Bissett being 39 and romancing a 21 year old actor.