Thoughts on a Tale of Two Faces

 

Thoughts on a Tale of Two Faces --

Ben Platt and Timothée Chalamet are roughly the same age (27 and 25, respectively) and they both attended Columbia but are occupying entirely difference spaces in the cinematic universe right now.

Platt is being savaged as the star of what many critics say is the grossest miscalculation in movie history, that is, turning the celebrated Broadway musical Dear Evan Hansen, which starred Platt, into a movie musical starring Platt. Setting aside the subject matter -- mental illness and suicide among teens -- Platt's appearance is way out of character and because the film spends so much time on his face, the camera is not his friend, critics say.

On the other hand, there's Chalamet, who seems to go from strength to strength, moving between contemporary and period pieces, from comedy to drama, anchoring each performance in what appears to be studied discipline. His choice of material is age-appropriate; he plays the youthful Paul Atreides in the upcoming Dune, directed by Denis Villeneuve. The film has received nothing but critical and movie-goer praise, mostly for Villeneuve's fresh and authentic treatment of the source material.

Platt is first and foremost a stage performer with a truly wonderful voice and he's a decent songwriter. He lacks Chalamet's striking visual presence and the younger man's acting range, but Platt's no chump.

Except, perhaps, for saying yes to playing Evan Hansen on the screen. It was no doubt a safe choice, in that he knew the role by heart and his father is one of the producers, but it probably wasn't wise.

Chalamet has demonstrated impressive professional wisdom in his choices, working primarily with auteurs -- Villeneuve, Christopher Nolan, Woody Allen, Greta Gerwig, Luca Guadagnino, Wes Anderson. He is as sagacious a judge of material and his craft as they come. He also has a disarming, ingratiating manner that seems to come from a place of generosity. He may have the bone structure of a Grecian statue but he's no prima donna.

Platt, meanwhile, has responded to criticism of his film -- which, granted, has been brutal -- a bit more defensively than his agent would likely recommend. But I guess that's what happens when the distance between you and your role has shrunk to nearly nothing. Still, he has many fans and will weather this storm, wiser for the wear.