open letter to Jodie Foster
Dear Jodie Foster,OK, Jodie. Seriously.
What's UP???
I get that you don't care that you're aging. That's great. Wear those crow's feet with pride. I also get that you don't care if you're ever nominated for an oscar again. That's fine. After all, you've already won two. Spread the wealth, I say. I ALSO get that you don't care whether your movies are good. Or whether you're ever IN movies. Or whether that closet you're in is getting a little cramped.
But Jodie... like... do you care about ANYTHING??? I know you care about your wife and kids, but that's not what I'm talking about. I'm talking about the implications of your fame. Your career. The respect you command (or could command). The clout you could be using to better advantage. THERE IS SO MUCH YOU COULD GIVE TO THE WORLD. Do you realize what a great role model you could be? Do you realize what a great actress you are and what kind of movies you could be making if you wanted to?
Here's a thought: If some executive on a film of yours fights with you about inserting a crappy ending, FIRE HIM. Demand that you get your way. Sure, the studios are powerful, but you're JODIE F***ING FOSTER. If they give you shit, just tell them: "I want this movie to be good, and if it's not, I walk." Play a little game of "everybody who's getting paid 10 million bucks for this movie, please stand up." Guess what? It's probably just you.
Maybe I'll give you the benefit of the doubt, and assume that perhaps you've actually done this a few times, i.e. wanted to do a movie, but couldn't do it on the terms of the studio, and maybe that's why you've been in so few movies. But you know what? I don't really think that's true. I think you've really just been sitting around with your wife and kids having fun, being like "whatever, I'm rich"... until once every three or so years, you deign to star in a film if Nicole Kidman drops out of it and they offer you 10 million dollars. I can just see you being all, "sigh, okay, back to work." Yeah, Jodie, life is so hard.
Okay, I'm being harsh. I know. But I'm just sick of this "I'm so above it" vibe you've been sending out lately. 'Cause I really miss seeing you in good movies. Like, maybe even one every year. Do you know how many times I've seen Contact??? I LOVE you in that. Please make something else that good. I'm only saying these things because I love you. In high school, I wanted to BE you. You're just so cool.
But oh yeah, one more thing. Maybe you haven't heard.
Jodie... you are a LESBIAN.
L-E-S-B-I-A-N.
That's what it's called when you have a wife and kids who you provide for. Yeah, you heard me. Need more proof? Look at this:
I rest my case.Now, maybe it's none of our business... but guess what? We already know. Please don't pretend we don't. It only insults our intelligence. No one's asking you to go all Rosie on us or anything. You don't have to be some kind of Super Lesbian. We just want you to come out and say it. Just talk to the Advocate or something one day and be like: "Yes, it's true, I'm one of you... now let's all just move on." That's all you'd have to say. It's that simple. And then we'd all have SO. MUCH. MORE. RESPECT for you. Seriously.
Maybe you're afraid that being openly lesbian would jeopardize your work - 'cause you know, it's hard for lesbians to get roles as victimized, butch vigilantes - and that might be a valid excuse if you actually worked at all. And by "worked" I mean actually sought out roles that didn't just fall in your lap every few years because Nicole Kidman got skittish. But as it is, I don't think you're that worried about your acting prospects. We both know you have enough money to last you the rest of your life. And that you're not exactly looking to "stretch" and be accepted in a wide range of roles. So no dice. I think you just don't wanna deal with the trouble of it. Coming out, that is. But... come ON.
And again... I love you. Not in a creepy John Hinckley way, just in a devoted fan way. I miss the Clarice Starlings and Ellie Arroways of years past. I just want you to get your sh*t together and start doing something meaningful with your life. If you can't find good roles out there, produce something yourself. If Flora Plum just refuses to come together, start looking into something else. There are lots of films just begging to be directed by someone of your talents.
Please, Jodie. You only live once.
Your fan,
~Adam
Labels: Jodie Foster
posted by adam k. @ 2:29 AM
24 Comments:
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Harsh.
UHh ?
How do you know she's a lesbian ? She could be bisexual. Ever thought of that ?
By the way, she's not in the closet. She would be if she were married to a man or hiding her relationship with her female partner.
Why is it so hard for some gay people to understand that some people don't believe in coming out ? would you feel better if Jodie call you and tell you "I'm a lesbian" ? my advice is GET A LIFE
OK, then, I change my wording from "LESBIAN" to "queer in the umbrella sense." But I find it amusing that you say she's not in the closet and yet she also doesn't believe in coming out. So is she, like, in the closet doorway? Just hangin' out, neither here nor there? Actually, I'd argue she is.
But anyway. Perhaps some atonement is in order. The post does sound rather mean and spiteful looking at it now.
But this post was meant mainly to amuse myself and perhaps others, not to psychoanalyze Jodie Foster. It's all in good fun, is what I'm saying. It was very late when I wrote it, and perhaps my extreme fatigue/insomnia was screwing with my brain. I can only imagine what Jodie would think of me, though, if she ever actually read it. Yikes.
Obviously the fact that I expend so much mental energy on Ms. Foster means I think she's worth the trouble. Even if she does frustrate me. I have much love and respect for a great deal of what she does.
And I actually sympathize with her a lot, as I am also not very public about my sexuality (except on the blog), don't appear particularly gay on first glance, don't wanna be labeled "GAY GAY GAY" all the time, and certainly wouldn't if I were a famous movie star, which I really wish I were. But I do know from experience that this "neither here nor there" open secret business is just not a great way to go about things.
Plus, Jodie's movies lately have been bad. And that frustrates me.
And I have a life, thank you very much. I've actually been really busy, and have NO time with which to be writing this insanely long comment, so what am I doing? Later.
~Adam
p.s. Anyone else have a say in this?
So you want to be an actor and a big star, right ?
Well, good luck, because as a young actor, openly bisexual, i can tell you that it's not particularly easy in this business ( I mean, the movie business, not the theatre). Studio executives and casting directors don't really cast openly gay/bisexual actors in leading roles. Of course it's different for women, like Foster, but that doesn't mean it's easy.
So we'll see how you cope with that in a few years..
maybe you will be tired to know that people only discuss your sexuality because you appear to be the only major gay movie star in the business.
P.S. Sorry, I was a little rude with my get a life comment.
I kind of agree with lukanboy; And I'd like to add that LGBT people are a very diverse group. Extremely diverse, in fact. And if she refuses to talk about her sexuality, that's her right. Don't you think? Some gay people have no problem being open; others, like Jodie, prefer not to discuss it for various reasons. Please don't try to force your values on other LGBT people. Leave that type of intolerance to ignorant straight people.
Re: her choice of movies, I have no comment about that. Maybe she's satisfied with her life. Is that a bad thing?
Thank you cozy closet (lol)
i mean, does Daniel Day-Lewis have to discuss his sexuality when promoting a movie (something he rarely does, i know !) ? No. Who knows what he's up to in his small village far away from Hollywood ? Maybe he's having threesomes with Pakistani taxi drivers.. so what ? Who cares ? it's his life, and i bet it has no influence on his performances.
I absolutely respect Jodie's right not to talk publicly about her sexuality. In fact, I think it's refreshing. I admire that she doesn't want that to be the focus of her public life. But look at someone like Ellen, for example, who also rarely discusses anything overtly gay (these days), but who is still known as being out and proud. It's not this weird issue that people don't know what to make of.
It just seems that there must be a basic lack of comfort with yourself somewhere if you can't come to terms with that part of yourself publically. It can't be particularly fun for her. Again, it's not about being vocal about things, but just a basic acknowledgement that she is who she is and she's comfortable with it.
I fully admit that part of this is me projecting my own issues and history on Jodie, but by the same token, I understand what it is to be more out in some circles than others, and to want an identity apart from that. But I know that with em, it eventually creates a rift when people don't know that aspect of me. And I really think that idea is universal. Mustn't it be pretty strange to have that rift extended to millions of fans?
If Jodie is really happy with how her life and career are going now, then I'm happy for her. But it just seems that things are rather "off" is all I'm saying. Judgmental or presumptuous to think that way about someone I don't even know? Sure. But that's just my gut feeling on the matter. Celebrities are celebrities and people will have their feelings about them.
If I were Foster, I'd want to be able to engage in the construction of my public image in an active way, to engage with the touchy issues, rather than skirt them. It just seems like a copout to me.
Anyway, Lukanboy, if you're still reading this thread, I love your display name, and am fascinated by your career situation. I may yet end up there myself.
p.s. I'm actually not at all like my blog persona in real life. It's weird sometimes to look at my posts and think "I really wrote that???" But it's a good outlet for certain things.
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i liked foster's work in the 90s...i don't think she can redeem this decade though.
So I stumbled over here from NR's blog. I don't think you were too harsh on Jodie. It was kind of amusing,but the whole out/not out debate is a losing battle either way. There's frankly good arguments on both sides, and since it's Jodie's life she gets to make the call.
BTW, could it be that perhaps it's her partner who wouldn't like the extra attention? I've seen more than a few pics of Jodie with said partner and when the wife notices a paparazzi taking a picture, she turns/lowers her head, or subtly covers her face.
RE: the more important topic of JF's career
Honestly, I think she keeps making these movies, in hopes that they make money so she can go off and make the movies she actually wants -- case in point -- right after Flightplan she was all set to direct and star in "Sugarland" with DeNiro. It's a true-life modern day slavery story. But Deniro kept postponing and finally after a year, the studio shelved it.
After Panic Room she was all set to direct that gay baseball movie set in the 1940s or whatever, then after some major actors backed out, it was canned. (BTW, this was picked up again later, then dropped again, but Jodie wasn't in the running, no more).
So I think the Brave One was her attempt at testing the waters with an immoral, reprehensible character en route to her Leni Riefenstahl biopic. But since it ain't doing so hot, maybe that's it for that project too?
You gotta admit, the woman has some really bad luck in getting her directing projects off the ground. I don't know why, though I'm going to throw out the woman card, because well, how many women directors exist that actually get their movies made? And women actors? None come to mind, though I'm sure there are a couple
Also, I'm personally pissed about the baseball movie. How awesome would it have been - JF directing a mainstream, man on man movie? She would've had to come out then. I'm 90% sure of it.
Wow, if that's the case, then I feel really bad for her. Is it really THAT hard for JODIE F***ING FOSTER to get a movie made? How depressing. It's probably made her really jaded, and I couldn't blame her.
re: women directors... Sofia Coppolla is the only one I can think of off the bat, and then look how people reacted to Marie Antoinette. It really is hard to be a woman director. People just don't "get" it, on the whole. Rather akin to being a gay male actor, I'd say. There are a couple women in my class here at film school (meaning literally two), and like 12 guys. Must be weird for them.
But anyway, I'm glad someone was amused by this post. So far I I'd only really gotten negative feedback, so it's nice to hear someone enjoyed it.
Oh, and good point about her partner. It could definitely be her call for Jodie to not go public.
I suddenly feel really bad for making fun of her. She situation does seem pretty dysfunctional, but it sounds like there are a lot of factors playing into it, many of which are not her fault.
Sorry, Jodie : ) Love...
Good point about her partner not wanting to be exposed. Kinda like Meryl Streep who alway talks about her kids but is extremely discreet about her husband.
I don't think it's impossible for an openly gay/bisexual actor to make it (in terms of stardom), but you can't expect to land leading roles in romantic comedies alognside Reese Witherspoon. But I'm sure you can have a career such as Johnny Depp's, who never play your typical leading man, always guys with a secret or slightly atypical..which I think is a good thing, because those roles are certainly interesting. But if you suck as an actor and you still get work, everyone will say that you f**** with the gay casting director !
I would KILL for Johnny Depp's career. If only it were so easy...
Lol, my career situation is actually quite good actually.. and, having read some of your posts, it's good to know that you enjoyed one of the films I've been in.
Hmmm... who ARE you?
What film are you talking about?
Anyway, if you like my blog, keep reading! I love having readers. Readers who've been in feature films are even better.
Can't you tell? It's Jodie Foster. She's just messing with you.
No I'm not Jodie lol
I haven't even met her, though I got a casting call for one of her recent films a few years ago.
Let's just hoep she gets that Leni Riefenstahl biopic up. THAT would be killer.
BTW I don't care whether she's gay or not. Not even a little bit. Don't matter.
Of course it doesn't matter, but SHE IS.
Probably....but I wouldn't presume to know anything about a person I've never met.
I suppose.
Anyway. This thread has been worn out. I hereby cease and desist.
But I will say, I actually had a dream last night that Foster came out on some national live talk show, by saying something about her "wife." And all of Hollywood was there, cheering. Specifically Angelina Jolie, with this big smile on her face. Weird. But it seemed so real...
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