4B - The Michigan Daily - W"ue.4, U - Thursday, January 25, 1996
Lawrence Fishburne: Moving among the stars
By Prashant Tamaskar
Daily Arts Writer
When the subject ofHollywood's fin-
est actors arises, numerous household
names like De Niro, Pacino, Hackman
aid Hanks are thrown around. However,
little consideration is given to Laurence
Fishbume, whose willingness to take risks
has allowed him to become one of the
most entertaining performers in the mo-
t~n picture industry.
Fishbume's first role in a major film
was in Francis Ford Coppola's epic war
movie"Apocalypse Now,"whereheplays
a naive, young soldier who is barely old
enough to enlist. Although he is not nec-
essarily a featured character and does not
have many lines, the actor certainly dis-
plays his potential by expertly portraying
araw, inexperiencedman-childwho does
not understand the nature of war.
However, it wasn't until nearly a de-
cade later that Fishburne made a name for
himself with a remarkable part in John
Singleton's "Boyz N the Hood." He stars
as Furious Styles, a father who serves as
the perfect mentor for his son, Tre.
Fishburne's Furious is strong, stubborn,
proud, caring and wise. He understands
the perilous conflicts that his son faces,
yet, he expects and demands that Tre
overcome these obstacles. Determined to
make his son a man, Furious is the main
reason for the success of Tre. Simply put,
Singleton could not have picked a more
suitable actor for the role.
After "Boyz N the Hood," the sud-
denly marketable star earned a feAture
role in "Deep Cover," as an undercover
cop whose mission is to fight drug deal-
ers. The mediocre film overshadows an-
other strong performance by Fishburne.
Yet, it was not until his next movie,
"What's Love Got to Do With It," that
Fishburne was
nominated for the
greatesthonorasil-
ver screen per-Y
former can receive
- an Academy
AwardforBestAc-
tor. Fishburne stars
as the manipulative
and jealous Ike
Turner, who on
several occasions
nearly fatally,
abuses his wife, Mi.
Tina. Ike's anger,
powerfully por-
trayed by
Fishburne, stems
from envy of his
wife's success.
lackluster performance makes him un-
popular with several of his African Ameri-
can pupils. Working with Fishburne for a
second time, Singleton presented the ac-
tor with an opportunity to expand the
characterization of the positive black in-
fluence.
Still, to many, Fishburne's greatest
achievement may turn out to be his por-
trayal of the title character in "Othello."
In this recently re-
leased film, the ac-
tor brings passion
and spice to a role
that requires it.
Fishburne'sOthello
is enslaved by the
;..allegations of infi-
delity planted in his
head, and he is
dominated by his
emotions. The actor
isconvincingly able
to make the transi-
tion from passion-
ate lover to enraged
h u s b a n d.
Fishburne's perfor-
mance in "Othello"
should for once and
for all make his ver-
'than just chess. satility apparent to
everyone.
It is difficult to overlook an individual
who can masterfully play a strong-willed.
father, an undercover cop, a jealous mu-
sician, a haughty professor and a suspi-
cious warrior with equal skill. This, how-
ever, has been the case with Laurence
Fishburne.
Soon, Fishburne may receive the acco-
lade that he has been deserving in the
form of an Oscar. And, if he does win,
don't be too surprised if he chooses to
celebrate by once again playing a role that
tests his ability as an actor. Fishburne has
shown us that he is always up for this
challenge.
Bullock on sappy streak
9"
In roles such as
Furious and Ike
Flshbume plays more
Turner, Fishburne
displayed his range by being as convinc-
ing a scumbag as he was a strong father.
And even though he was already a well-
known performer, "What's Love Got to
Do With It" gave Fishburne a permanent
respect that would allow him the opportu-
nities to play roles that may not have been
offered to him before.
One such role was as a professor at
Columbus University in Singleton's
"HigherLearning." In this film, Fishburne
plays an arrogant Ph.D. who refuses to
allow his color to be an excuse for failure.
However, his unwillingness to accept the
racial situation as a potential reason for
By Christopher Corbett
Daily Arts Writer
You're kickingback in yourlocal movie
theater with your date, waiting for the
lights to dim. Sandra Bullock's new-
movie, "Two if by Sea," comes on, and
your date forgets you, slaps your hand
back toward your own lap and absorbs
herself in the romantic comedy.
You are left to wonder why lately
Bullock has devoted herself to movies
that work to block your actions; movies
that have your date frowning upon you;
movies where a strong female character
screams at, punches and causes some
sort of destruction to a man. And you
think, "Why can't I somehow nip such
a career move in the bud?" Imagine ...
YOU (as Judge in the People's Court
of Hollywood): Sandra Bullock, you
have been charged with making roman-
tic comedies. We let it slide when you
starred in'95's "While You Were Sleep-
ing"with Bill Pullman. Your career had
just taken off and you might not have1
been thinking clearly in your over-
whelmed state (you had made three
successful films in two years). Besides,
you were, when your character was
selling bus tokens in "Sleeping," like
the apple juice: Very Fine. But you are
taking things too far now, with your
latest film which co-stars Denis Leary,
"Two if by Sea."
HER: Well, like, what about Meg.
Ryan?
YOU: (The response causes gasps of
"Unclean!") How dare you speak that
name? We will deal with that menace
when we apprehend her. Now, why
can't you stick to action flicks like
1993's "Demolition Man?" You looked
killer in between Wesley "Rodman 'do"
Snipes and Sylvester "duh" Stallone.
Your innocence and charm made us
want to leap right into the story and
rescue you from the bullets and bomb
blasts. The sucky sap stuff must stop.
HER: What about my pores? You
couldn't see any of them! Not one!
YOU: Yes, of course. About a-yes
and a halfago, the Hollywood buzzsai
you were the top choice for the role of
psychologist Chase Meridian, in-,
"Batman Forever." You didn't do it;
because you wanted to make "While
You Were Sleeping." You could have
kissed Batman! Don't you know whit'
that would have meant? Guys -wh .
we were 7 years old - tried to be coi*
like Batman. Drop yourself some sci-
ence: Since we grew up identifyii;
with a character like Batman, your kiss.
ing him would have done it for us.
HER: Bill Pullman and Denis Leary.
are, like, really nice people. And all ihat
matters is what's inside.
YOU: Then somebody oughta tarnr
themselves inside out. Now, what wil*
your next project be? The big-screem'
adaptation of"A Time to Kill," the first
novel by John 'I could write "Ha-Choo" .
and 28 million people would buyi '
Grisham? OK. That's better. Wait
minute ... Now that you're here, weJust
remembered that you have committe a
most heinous, despicable offense. ,
HER: Why must you, like, torture-e
so?
YOU: We also charge you with aid-
ing and abetting the career of Keanu
Reeves. Yes, we know "Speed"
launched your career - it raked in'
hundreds of millions ofdollIars and cat
pulted you to super stardom. But it also
gave Canoe a hit movie, as well.
HER: I'm sorry, it's just that, like, he
was so cute and all, and then, lik,'his
butt, like (lip starts to quiver, fingers go
to eyes).
YOU: She's crying? Oh, n'o-,
PLEASE! Anything but THAT!'UGet
her some puppies or something! Some-
body do something, quick!
You come out ofthe dream shiverihZ'
and see your date smiling at you as t
film ends. "Two if by Sea" has pnt a
romantic look in her eye, and you think,
"Then again, maybe I could get used'to
this after all."
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