MovieChat Forums > Euphoria (2019) Discussion > Zendaya as an actress is a fraud and a c...

Zendaya as an actress is a fraud and a coward on this show

posted 3 years ago by RoloTony (1338)
11 replies | jump to latest

She literally offers nothing to this amazing show. "Rue" is about as bland a character as you can get. If you removed "Rue" altogether the show would still function at 100%. Zendaya takes no risks at all with her role except acting like how someone would think they'd act on drugs. Every other actor on this show takes risks and elevates this show to something gritty and palpable. Zendaya is simply riding the coattails of the other actors in this show who are digging deep into their roles.

[–] R_Kane (15828) 3 years ago

I agree, to a point. So far, Rue’s presence in the story has been like Indiana Jones’ in Raiders of the Lost Ark. She’s just THERE as the central but unimportant figure; but I think this is the result of the script and the narrative. In Euphoria 2.3, Zendaya did a TERRIFIC, infectious performance to Jack Jones’ rendition of “Call Me Irresponsible,” that was fluid, seemingly effortless, passionate and fun. That does not happen by accident, and “effortless” requires a TON of foundation work. Rue seems hellbent on self-destruction, making her very unattractive and an object of either pity or scorn, dependIng on the viewer; the scripts aren’t handing her attractive material. In fact, this ep directly addressed this issue with a broken-proscenium scene where Zendaya stepped out of character, announced that Rue is just a drug addict and offered a slide-show presentation on How To Get Away With Being A Drug Addict, similar to last season’s How To Take A Dick Pic lecture. A little of this goes a very long way. I hope the writers don’t get lazy.

I do not see Zendaya as being cowardly, though she may be. If anything, it’s more likely that she’s lazy. She’s living a golden career. She is barraged with yes-people. She has a machine grinding away to increase her fame and fortune. It would take a Zen master NOT to have her worldview wildly skewed.

I completely agree that the whole rest of the cast have been consistently bringing their A-game to the table every freaking time, and, not for nothing, showing they have what it takes to play an A-game. The only other current show that impresses me as much is Yellowjackets.

[–] rex (2808) 3 years ago

she's for sure in over her head with this suitcase

[–] RoloTony (1338) 3 years ago

Loved Yellowjackets, too! It's probably in the top 5 new shows of 2021 (If not #1). I was thinking that Ricci deserves at least an Emmy nod for her role as Misty. Misty is really the engine of S1, but Ricci plays it so effortlessly that she comes across as just another goofy character. I'm jealous of the people that won't discover Yellowjackets for another couple years and will be able to binge the whole thing in a sitting. Poor suckers like us have to wait every week for an ep and a year for another season.

[–] [email protected] (1367) 3 years ago

I agree with you..Can you tell me who the 2 boys were in episode three? The wrestling friends where one guy found out his girl is pregnant? I was lost on that story. Thought maybe it was Cal as a young teen?

[–] R_Kane (15828) 3 years ago

flowersja, that was young, pre-Dominant Daddy, Cal. They are creating a very interesting thread between Nate’s rigid father, Cal, and Nate, Cal’s son, showing a mix of homo eroticism and heterosexual domination. Wow. That’s impressive.

[–] [email protected] (1367) 3 years ago

Thanks for the clarification

[–] modica (4169) 3 years ago

I am not as critical of Zendaya, but for the most part, she is the weakest part of the show. Everything and everyone around her is fantastic. I don't think her contribution is "nothing", but the fact that she is a pretty big deal in Hollywood now, translates to a watered down character.

[–] R_Kane (15828) 3 years ago

👍🏻 Which makes Euphoria’s success even more impressive. Let me be clear: I am NOT here to celebrate Zendaya. I’m here because the narrative is important to our world and because every-fucking-body else other than THE STAR delivers in Spades. When this show concludes, will it be the first series in history that ROCKED in spite of its lead? Know what? If that’s the case, I think it’s a triumph for a GREAT narrative and for acknowledging that show business is not all about the Star.

My father played in The Dorsey Brothers Big Band, fronted by vocalist Doris Day, who went on to be the biggest star in the world in the early 50s. He told me, when you back someone like that, you bring your A+ game. Zendaya’s bringing not much at all, and the cast is still keeping their heads down and still soldiering on. They are bringing an A+ game (like what we so often saw in Big Little Lies) to a B- Lead (which we never saw on Big Little Lies). I’ve never seen anything like this before. And I am hooked.

[–] modica (4169) 3 years ago

I agree with you with all you said and I am also hooked for the most part. A few of the scenes this season just didn't work for me, but mostly this show is gold. Dorsey Brothers? That is so cool. I am a big fan of swing music. Jimmy and Tommy? Right?

[–] R_Kane (15828) 3 years ago

Yes, Jimmy and Tommy. I met them when I was a little boy. We had dinner together. They told me they were on tour. I was very interested in Africa at that time. I asked them if their tour included Africa. Jimmy said, “We’re going to
Detroit. It’s the same thing.”
I know that’s a terrible thing to say today, but it was the 1950s and I did not understand what he meant. I was very lucky to have my father.

[–] modica (4169) 3 years ago

They both died before I was born, but being a music lover they left an impression on me when I was a boy in the 70's when my grandmother would play them on the stereo.