There’s a great line in Jim Bouton‘s book “Ball Four.” About one third of the way through the iconic baseball tome Bouton is running in the outfield with a kid recently called up to the big leagues for the first time. The youngster turns to the aging vet and says something to the effect that it really does tingle when you finally make it to the big leagues. Later that day in front of his locker, Bouton reflects on what the kid said. He tells the reader that after all his years in the majors, “I sometimes forget to tingle.”
Hollywood often forgets as well.
Last week, one of the biggest events in history took place when the Egyptian people overthrew Hosni Mubarak after 30 years of a brutal dictatorship. It was a refreshing and stunning event.
One of the most fascinating aspects to me was the statement by Wael Ghonim, the young Google exec whose Facebook page started the protests. In an interview with CNN, Ghonim cited his influences as Mark Zuckerberg and the film V For Vendetta. Not President Obama’s speech in Cairo, like the people on the left would have you believe, nor George Bush’s invasion of Iraq like the right would have you believe. (That’s not to say those events did not have some affect.)
Some people I know think the Wachowski brothers should have packed it in after the Matrix films, but if we take Ghonim at his word I think it can now be argued that last week’s events in Egypt may have been their greatest triumph (and that’s not to say I’m forgetting Alan Moore).
The fact is, with the help of satellite TV and the Internet, Hollywood might be doing more to change the world, simply by making quality entertainment, than anything our government has done in the last 40 years. And I’m not the only one who is saying that. The State Department itself admitted it in several cables leaked last year by WikiLeaks.
This weekend I decided to ask the stars of the upcoming film I Am Number Four what they thought about Hollywood’s influence around the world. It turned out they were already aware of Hollywood’s power to make a positive change.
Dianna Agron, who plays Sara in the film, told me she and her cast mates from the hit series “Glee” have done appearances all over the world. “It really shed light on a lot of things,” she said. “Plus you discover how different everyone is around the world and how similar at the same time.”
She talked about how young people often approached the cast, telling them how the show had helped them through tough times. I asked if I Am Number Four might be able to help people around the world as well. “I hope so,” Agron responded. “It has a good message about finding yourself and who you really are. And learning how not to live in fear.”
Alex Pettyfer who plays John, the titular Number Four, told me he hoped it would adding, “It’s about fighting for what’s right.” Not a bad message to send out around the world given the current situation.
Aussie actress Teresa Palmer, who plays the butt-kicking lass Number Six, has taken her global responsibilities one step farther. “I like to think of myself as a bit of an adventurer and I’ve been working with a group called Happy Africa who work with AIDS orphans among other things. They have a school with 50 students. We sang English songs and danced on the playground, but I learned much more from them than they did from me.”
What had they learned exactly? How about the fact many people on the African continent love Adam Sandler flicks. “They’d seen them all,” Palmer told me. “His comedy really appeals to the people over there and they really appreciate someone who can make them laugh for an hour and half. Especially when times are tough.”
She agreed with Pettyfer and Agron that I Am Number Four had a good message that deserved to get out there. “It’s a universal feeling to feel alienated. It’s good to feel a part of something and that’s what the film is all about.” I wasn’t sure if she was talking about the film or the terrific young cast. I think it might have been both.
After checking in with Pettyfer, Agron and Palmer I headed over to the press conference for Rango featuring Johnny Depp, Gore Verbinski, Isla Fisher and Abigail Breslin. Most of the questions went to Johnny and he was as charming as ever.
When the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise took off back in 2003, Depp became an international superstar to everyone in the world with the apparent exception of his own kids. When asked how they responded to their dad playing a lizard he responded that his kids were much more interested in Justin Bieber than what their dad did for a living.
A man from the back of the audience then asked if Depp was a “Belieber.” For the first time Depp was taken aback. “A what?” he asked.
“A Belieber.”
“I guess I am,” Depp replied.
Shortly after Bieber, who was also at the Four Seasons where the press conference took place, stopped in with his handlers and walked up to the dais where the Rango crew was sitting (watch the video to the right). He very politely stated that he had always wanted to meet Johnny Depp. He shook the actor’s hand and then quickly retreated. Considering both Rango and the new Bieber film are produced through Paramount’s Nickelodeon Films it would be easy to be cynical and think the whole was planned. I don’t believe it was. I think it was just a happy accident between two stars at the apex of their success.
After Justin left, Depp cracked that he wasn’t sure what he’d tell his kids when he got home. “You gotta understand,” he said. “To them I just met The Beatles.”
Laterm as I was leaving the hotel, young Justin exited the elevator, as I was about to get on. At first I didn’t even recognize him. As he was walking away with a lone bodyguard, I told him that everyone enjoyed his pop in at the press conference. He stopped, turned around and smiled at me. “Thanks a lot for saying so. I really appreciate it.”
I think he did.
A few minutes later I was in my car driving through Hollywood on my way home. All I could think was that it had been a good week. A despot had been brought down by a group of committed young people over in Egypt who have been inspired by social media and films, Adam Sandler had made another comedy for his fans in Africa and Justin Bieber made a film for his around the world. And for once the box-office was up instead of down for the the first time in weeks.
Certainly, one of these things is dramatically more important than the others, but there’s no doubt, through everything I witnessed, the effect Hollywood and our entertainment industry has on the world was on full display. I just never expected it would be so evident through such unexpected circumstances.
