New Faces in Film Break the Cinematic Déjà vu Cycle

Growing up, I used to watch movies for the plot, not the celebrities plastered on the movie boxes.  Don’t get me wrong.  I have my favorite actors, but after a few Drew Barrymore movies, it’s hard not to think of the last character portrayed.  Hollywood has produced countless films, whether loved or loathed – but movies become carbon copies of the same twenty actors.  Celebrities get recycled into their next cinematic reincarnations, and the audience remembers their past lives in film.

            While sitting on my couch in isolation, I watched a few Netflix movies, and it was nice to see some new faces.  Watching movies with actors I’ve haven’t yet heard of is great.  Instead of thinking of the protagonist’s past five roles or the celebrity gossip surrounding them, I think of the character more, and the plot becomes the focus of the film.  It’s easier to fall spellbound while watching a story unfold. 

The point of making a film is to tell a story.  Money is the other motivator, which covers production costs and pays the actors.  Sadly, celebrities drive the ticket sales moreso than the storylines.  However, that has begun to change.  Beloved actors have passed away, and new actors are bringing characters to life on screen.  Smaller film companies can air their films to Netflix, Hulu, and YouTube, and more people will see these films due to quarantine.

            In the midst of this global crisis, people can view movies with new actors – seeing just the characters and the story distracts from the pandemic.  When producers cast rookies, they are granting the longtime wish of all aspiring actors, a chance in the spotlight.  When celebrities turn down movies, a hopeful individual gets a shot at their dream.

Too many people assume that a lack of fame denotes a lack of skill.  Hollywood is so competitive that the people who didn’t make the cut still had some talent.  There are plenty of good-looking runners up in auditions who were the best in their hometowns.  It’s unreasonable to believe that celebrities were competing with thousands of ugly people with zero talent.

            After decades of cinematic déjà vu, filmmakers are finally answering the call that echoes from my childhood – to give new people a chance.  I’m happy for the rising stars who are shining on my television screen.