Friday
06Feb2009
An Open Letter to Steve Martin
Friday, February 6, 2009 at 11:36AM
Dear Mr. Martin:
I have been aware of your work for 30 years. Even as a kid, with "King Tut" on the radio and the arrow through the
head gag, I knew you were different than other comedians of the time. Somehow, I genuinely connected with your
style even though the arrow through the head was definitely not aimed at me. It is ironic that in 2009, a new
generation of children can laugh at your work, since your comedy has become about the lowest common denominator in
almost every case.
There was not another Steve Martin when The Jerk established
you as a movie star, nor was there another Steve Martin in 1987 when Roxanne showed how graceful your comedy could be. There
is not another Steve Martin now, the star of The Pink Panther 2 - a has-been
who's perfectly content to embark on the film version of the faded rock band's tour of casinos and state fairs.
Even Robin Williams has retained a little dignity.
Colin Boyd
Concerned Citizen
Colin Boyd
Concerned Citizen
Reader Comments (37)
I thought Shop girl with pretty decent. Not great, but really fun and interesting. Not to discount its eye candy.
It really is a shame, because Steve Martin is brilliant. I'm a big fan of his books. Shopgirl and The Pleasure of My Company are both wonderful reads. I just read his stand-up autobiography, Born Standing Up, and he really is a very unique mind.
But he keeps making shitty movies, and I don't get it. Perhaps it's meta humor. Perhaps it's an extension of his trademark absurdity. Here's a guy who was at one time the biggest performing comedian in the world making the crappiest movies you can think of, with no redeeming qualities whatsoever. You could have said something very similar about his early stand-up. He was a funny guy, with good timing and presence, doing the weirdest stuff on stage that you could imagine.
Maybe now the act has gone global, the theater-goers are the unwitting audience participants, and the rest of us are left wondering if what we're seeing really is funny or not.
AMEN! And may the lords of Hollywood stop Dane Cook before torturing us in similar ways for many years to come.
I will agree, JR, that Born Standing Up is a great read. And that's, what, two years old? I don't understand it. Some people have e-mailed me that Shopgirl belongs in the good category, but I think that's another failed experiment. The novella is much, much better, as are most of his writings over the past decade or so.
Is it fair to solely hammer Martin for films that failed? I can see if you want to take him to task for things he's written, produced and/or directed because he has greater control of the outcome. However as an actor he's limited to the material he's been given and if it's not all that great the end result will reflect it. Granted, you can say that there are things he should not have taken but the man still needs to eat.
Even in films that are complete and utter crap he's still out there and some press even bad press is considered better than no press at all. I don't believe he owes three good movies at all, he could turn things around with one really great movie. Though perhaps he's doomed himself out of ever seeing a script for such at this point.
Dear Mr. Boyd,
You have too much free time.
roddy
I must agree. The post 1989 list includes only two standouts: L.A. Story and Novocaine. I listen to his stand-up CD Let's Get Small on a regular basis. It holds up and it's as old as I am, 33. It pains me to listen to it and then see his Pink Panther 2 trailer. His recent track record is appalling, and it makes me sad to see anyone of his talent level go so far downhill. Eddie Murphy suffers the same fate. It's like watching Michael Jordan play for the Wizards. It's a terrible mistake. Martin and Murphy need to get back up on a comedy club stage. It'll help them understand what's funny again when they get an instant reaction to what they do.
Steve Martin is so brilliant and talented....he is funny, original.....I love most of his movies....Man with Two Brains, All of Me, The Jerk, Roxanne, L.A. Story.....Steve Martin has provided me with great enjoyment over the years.....Though I do cringe for him with The Pink Panther.....but not many actors has a perfect track record....there are others out there that are more worthy of tasking....but I suppose Steve Martin is current events.....No I won't go see Pink Panther....but I still respect and admire Steve Martin....
Dear Sir,
I feel this diatribe is uncalled for... but it is certainly your right to determine whether you wish to compliment a movie or not. We're coming from a totally different place and certainly did NOT come to the same conclusion.
I've been reviewing films since 1971 for radio stations in Miami, Boston and Portland, OR. I'm not trying to flaunt my credentials here; just letting you know that others just don't agree with your conclusion.
My husband and grandson accompanied me to a press/public screening of this movie last Monday in Portland, Oregon. We are older folks (but more educated and better speakers than those two Reel Geezers on YouTube). We thought that Steve Martin was very Charlie Chaplin-esque in his performance and all the actors surrounding him were very well chosen. Charlie Chaplin represents the silent film era, of course, and I studied his work while I was at UCLA in the Theater Arts department. Chaplin was even before my era, but Martin and his stunt people have brought the Chaplin repetoire of sight gags back. These comedy routines have been around for decades, but it's always fun to see them done again.
The scenes in the Vatican with the Pope stand-in are just priceless. Since the movie flies along like the escapist romp that it is... make sure you're comfortable enough to make it to the end without a walkout for snacks or necessities.
Since we have had the opportunity to be in Paris and Rome several times during our lives, there was great fun in trying to figure out where they (or their second unit cinematography) had worked. My husband works with digital photography and walked all over Paris on a recent trip. Some of the filming was near the D'Orsay Museum, which is a beautiful building with some art treasures inside. So maybe the photographic ambience improved the experience for us in a unique way.
I'll tell you one thing -- Steve Martin at his worst is better than most comics at their best. There was heartfelt general applause after this movie ended at this screening, and best of all, my eight-year-old grandson loved it! He gets to see lots of movies with Grandma and Grandpa!
Sincerely,
Ellen Kimball
Accessible Media Services
Portland, OR
PS. I review on my blog and also post movie reviews at www.kgw.com, the website of our NBC-TV affiliate here in Portland, OR
You forgot Little Shop of Horrors. Steve Martin really only owes us two more good movies.
Jabber - You're right about Little Shop; that should've been in the bit part category before 1989. Good supporting work. However, I also included Father of the Bride in the good category, so, you know, that's pretty fluid.
Ellen - Thanks for checking out the site and for your thoughts.
However...Chaplin? Seriously? Steve Martin predictably falling out a window at the Vatican compares favorably to Charlie Chaplin?
And the question isn't how Steve Martin stacks up to other comedians when he's performing at his worst but why he's performing at his worst in the first place. Shouldn't he try to make better films? If the last 20 years of his career points to anything it's that he'd rather take the money and run than cultivate something original, which his legacy is built on in the first place.
I too have been re-examining my love for Steve Martin. I saw him live in 1977. I have a very bad transfer to DVD from the old Sony Betamax Tape of him in 1976 live at the Troubadour in California. I watch this still to this day and I think it is his best ever.
First of all Colin, you kick ass bro, and I agree completely with everything you say in this letter. I was born in '88 so I wasn't around during Steve Martin's heyday. So I've never understood why he was on this comedy "pedestal", untouchable because of his incredible body of work. I liked The Jerk, Planes, and Bowfinger and that's about it. I've never thought he deserved half the acclaim he has accumulated over his career, and it's nice to see someone has the balls to call this guy out for making some awful films. Anyway Colin, keep up the good work, I love your site and look forward to hearing your reviews every friday.
P.S. You were great on the Edge too. I was devestated when that no talent ass-clown Adam Carolla replaced you, Chuck and the gang.
I am not exactly sure I understand why Steve Martin would "owe" anything to you or anyone else for his body of work. He made his own choices, took his own chances, and was and is a giant success.
I would think he truly could care less about your opinion.
Who REALLY brought THE SERIES TO the CRAPPER
Blake Edwards was a genius in the sixties and seventies but remember the last 3 Stink Panther movies he wrote and directed? Sellers last wife even sued Edward's BUTT for bringing Peters name to shame.
I respectfully disagree. I think many if the films you mentioned after 1989 were great, solid pieces that will stand up over time as genius before it's time. That being said, I found all of your points well thought out and not a one of them without merit or malignant. Thank you for writing it.
Beerotter
Prmo1 -
Steve Martin, and any other performer, always owes his or her audience their best effort. Or do you not think that? Do you think for the amount of money they get paid they should be allowed to just phone it in for 20 years? In this case, because I believe performers should always give their A game, Martin has overtaken his good work with his bad, lazy work, and in so doing, he has taken his level of performance down consistently and left audiences holding the bag. Believe me, if his career began with Mixed Nuts, nobody would give him any credit.
I'd kind of like to see the old Steve Martin again, because that guy wasn't afraid to fail by taking risks and challenging himself. The current Steve Martin just wants a big check.
I have had similar thoughts, and I appreciate the article because what Steve Martin has been doing recently just doesn't make any sense. I can only assume he's just not getting a lot of offers, or reading any good scripts. I mean if he needs the money or likes being in conventional Hollywood films, I have no problem with his doing them now and again. But his recent track record is not good.
There was a time in the 90's when I became such a fan, I rented every movie he'd been in (over the course of a year or two), ending with Leap of Faith. L.A. Story is actually my favourite movie, so I do wish the article had given him until 1991 in the good column, but since then he's made little of substance to measure up with The Jerk, Planes Trains and Automobiles, The Man With Two Brains, Roxanne and Grand Canyon.
The last time he got actively involved in a film's creation (to my knowledge) was when he wrote Bowfinger, so he still knows what he's doing. And his books have been pretty good, Born Standing Up is amazing.
The message ultimately is do some Hollywood schlock if you want (even these Clouseau remakes although I don't really see the point), but mix in some edgy comedies or well-written dramas, there must be some scripts out there for him, and if not, he needs to get to work writing another one.
Wow Mr. Boyd, that's some pretty tough criticism. But you know, Steve Martin (like myself) is one of only a very small number of people originally from Orange County, California who aren't complete assholes, which I figure has gotta count for at least one good movie.
So according to your calculations we're down to only 2 good movies owed.
Technically, he's originally from Waco, Texas.
Uh, question, Mr. Boyd...if Steve Martin is a "has-been", then why is it that he continues to be a loved and respected comedian, while you are spending all of your time "blogging"? Wouldn't someone along the lines of yourself be considered a "never-were", Mr. Boyd? Just wanted to poise these questions toward you.
In response to: "Do they not make these kinds of movies for white guys anymore?", there's I Love You, Man coming out next month, with two guys (Jason Segel and certainly Paul Rudd) who at least appear to give a damn about entertaining their audience, unlike Steve Fartin', Cheavy Choke, and most heinous of all Eddie Merdehe...
I have never been a big Steve Martin fan. Most of his films have been forgettable and those I do remember I have rarely sat thru a second time. Bowfinger and Roxanne are probably my favorites. Three Amigos I liked but that was years ago. Granted most of his work, the Cheaper by the Dozen, Father of the Bride, or the Pink Panther series among others I haven't seen and don't want to. His other movies have been overrated such as Plane, Trains, and Autobmobiles, and Parenthood. Maybe I am the wrong audience for him and for this letter but I do admire your plea for someone you once found funny to do more than cash a paycheck.
No performer owes their public anything. They get paid a lot not by some magical fiat but because people go to their movies. If you saw a bad movie, well, that's part of the gamble--you can choose not to go back again, or to tell others it was bad--just like you don't get your money back for a bad meal at a restaurant unless it poisons you. Performers may owe good work to themselves--if they choose, and their public insofar as they need money.
My point is--where the sense of entitlement comes from here makes no sense to me. You don't own steve martin. He can do whatever he wants, and you can do whatever you want-- as in, not go to his movies, or review them as terrible. But saying he owes you something or chastising? What have you done? You're like so many out there who think it their right to criticize the quality of what the producers or creators are making, but have no ability to make on their own, or don't have the courage or the interest. I don't mean to belittle criticism--I think it's helpful, especially as it it helps viewers choose not to go to movies. But Martin's allowed to "sell out." He owes his integrity only to himself. Just like Robin Williams can play serious if he wants to. It's his life. Performers don't perform as a gift to the audience, and the audience go as a gift. No one is owned. Audiences can do what they've always been allowed to do: ignore. You want no more pink panthers--don't see it, and they won't make another one.
Steve Martin's appearances in the film Jiminy Glick in Lalawood and on the Primetime Glick tv show, both within the last eight years, are sublime. The Martin interview is a highlight of the (excellent) Best of Primetime Glick dvd.
And Steve Martin has a beautiful smile.