Did anybody realize the weird coincidence that when Keith Gordon was an actor, he was in Back to School, which happened to also feature a young actor playing his friend, and that actor was Robert Downey Jr.! That is just a weird little thing that I noticed the other day, watching the film.
-NK
informer
Wow! Mind-boggling $#!+ there, dude. With Gordon and Downey having worked on "Back to School" prior to this, and Gordon as the director of this film, maybe, just maybe, follow me on this now, he had some say in bringing Downey in to star in this movie. You know what? This kind of stuff happens all the time in Hollywood. It's called "working relationships between Hollywood players," Einstein.
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You're not far off, friend. I listened to the audio commentary on the film, and Keith Gordon explains how he's always thought about Downey for the part, and then since Mel Gibson is a very close friend of Downey's and his own company was producing the film, then Downey would be a great choice. There are definitely connections and you can really relate it to all kinds of entertainment venues, most glaringly in the music industry, when a band is destined for greatness, but starts small and opens for more popular bands, but within the next year, the headliner band becomes the opening act and the opening act becomes the headline band. It can make that switcheroo like Downey and Gordon. I'd be intrigued to know if Keith Gordon is going to act in any of his films or other directors films.
informer
That's a nice thought....and Keith would certainly do that, recommend a buddy. Keith is a very nice guy!! But as it happens, Mel Gibson brought the 7 hour original miniseries to Robert while he was in rehab and asked him to take a look. And it progressed from there. Keith had been looking at this film version written by Dennis Potter for many years. It just all came together....as it was meant to.
Joyce
I didn't know Mel brought Robert the miniseries in rehab. that's fascinating. I remember hearing that prior to Downey's first or second arrest, Gibson and Downey were thinking about doing a version of Hamlet, possibly for the stage rather than film. I love the fact that it is obvious there is a chemistry between Mel and Robert onscreen, if you look closely past the superb acting, you can tell they are buddies. I look forward to Keith Gordon's next film. Hey, do you know why he quit acting? Was it just a desire to become a director? I wouldn't doubt that, considering he got to work with Bob Fosse, John Carpenter, and Brian De Palma, amongst others.
informer
I think Keith's main interest is in directing...doing indie or at least, films that have a message....not the "block buster" type. I was very fortunate to meet him at a couple of screenings of The Singing Detective and he was so interesting and easy to talk to. He was very excited about TSD and I just hate it when people post terrible things about it....they obviously haven't looked beyond the end of their nose. Dennis Potter wrote the script...chose the songs to be done by the original artist. It wasn't just a rewrite of the mini-series, it was scripted for a film...under two hours...I have seen the mini-series twice.....and the film numerous times. There are so many layers to this film...each time you see it you find something more...it is an ongoing experience. This is not a light, frivolous film....it has more depth than some people are able to understand.
I too, look forward to more work by Keith...he did a fantastic job on TSD. And I agree....Robert and Mel have a very special bond...you catch that twinkle in the eye every so often and their relaxed relationship...great friends.
Joyce
Yeah, TSD was definitely a unique and important project for all involved. I heard that Downey Jr., who is notorious for improvisation, was rather difficult to hold down because he wanted to improvise, yet Gordon and Co. knew that when you have a Dennis Potter screenplay, you've already got the best lines available. I've got the miniseries myself, I hate the fact that people are hard on the film because of the fact that it was a huge miniseries before and now an under 2 hour film. I thought it was enthralling. I saw it in the theatres, although unfortunately, I was the only one in the theatre at the time. But Gordon has a genuinely dynamic visual style and I'm just glad Robert is going after these difficult roles once again.
informer
Yes, Robert is indeed taking on some very interesting roles....one after another. Many of them seem challenging from my viewpoint but probably not from Robert's... heh heh.... I have been reading about the McCarthy hearings just to get some background on some of the roles in Goodnight and Good Luck, a George Clooney film that is shooting now. Apparently Robert will be playing Joe Wershba, reporter/producer for CBS and Edward R. Murrow during the McCarthy hearings.
Robert's life is so good now...healthy, busy and in love. Bravo for him...it took so much courage and tenacity to kick the habit. I am so proud of him. I think TSD was very good for him at that particular time and Mel must have thought so too.
Joyce
"Did anybody realize the weird coincidence that when Keith Gordon was an actor, he was in Back to School, which happened to also feature a young actor playing his friend, and that actor was Robert Downey Jr.! That is just a weird little thing that I noticed the other day, watching the film.
-NK"
another "weird coincidence" for you, mel gibson and robert downey jr. together in Air America. just thought you may be interested.....