Mrs. What Would Toto Watch isn’t exactly a movie buff. When we first started dating she couldn’t pick Al Pacino or Robert De Niro out of a lineup.
Since then, I’ve introduced her to a gaggle of great films, and she’s grown to appreciate movies even if her passion can’t match mine. Yet, she’s still nonplussed about the actors I meet for my job, or even the stars we see on the big screen.
But Ryan Gosling is another matter.
She watched him strut his considerable stuff in “Crazy, Stupid, Love.” and became the proverbial school girl in his presence. It’s one reason why I know Gosling is arguably the best young actor around. Sure, acting chops and sex appeal aren’t necessarily joined at the hip. But the Missus wasn’t responding solely to his abs or handsome mug.
Gosling’s character in “Crazy, Stupid, Love.” is exactly the kind of fellow my wife despises in real life. He’s cocky and calculating, a ladies’ man with who assumes any woman would kill to spend the night with him. And she fell for him all the same. He’s simply that magnetic in the role, daring you to judge him or even look away. Gosling took a cardboard character and made him human.
The actor took a modest step back with the recent indie misfire “All Good Things,” but his bravura turn in “Blue Valentine” revealed an actor capable of flashing tenderness and cruelty within the space of a single conversation.
In “Drive,” opening Sept. 16, Gosling gets to play another uber-cool character sure to set female heart’s aflutter. He’s a Hollywood stunt man who moonlights as a getaway car driver. The early reviews hint the film is far from your standard genre picture, but simply knowing Gosling is the star guarantees at least one smitten lady can’t wait to see it.
(Photo: Rising star Ryan Gosling plays a stunt man who uses his skills to help a young mother in “Drive.” Film District.)
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{ 7 comments… read them below or add one }
I think he’s the kind of guy that other guys get man crushes on.
Personally, I didn’t really think he was all that hot… that is until Crazy, Stupid Love and then I thought, wow, he’s hot.
Good point, Heidi. No doubt the Steve McQueen of his generation in that regard.
Gosling earned my eternal goodwill when he was promoting one of the 12 movies he’s in this year on Good Day LA and he slammed their resident harpy/name-dropper/dimtwit Jillian Barberie, aka “Trampy McWeatherton,” for her pompous pronunciation of “Machete.” Yup, though I won’t drink his bathwater, he’s so cool.
He’s hot! And I’m a dude! LOL! I think he needs to play a superhero as he’s got the looks and physique for it. The Flash anyone??
resident harpy/name-dropper/dimtwit Jillian Barberie, aka “Trampy McWeatherton?”
Oh, I love this blog.
Gosling fans should check out All Good Things. It’s based on a true story, but throughout the movie I kept telling myself that they must be making the crazier things up just to hold audience interest. Afterwards, I read about the case and was amazed to learn that was pretty much how everything happened.
Personally, I put him in the same category as Edward Norton, a favorite with the critics but he doesn’t do much for me. In regards to the title of article, I would say there are a couple. I watched the new X-men movie the other day, and I was riveted by Michael Fassbender’s Magneto. I’m also a fan of James McAvoy who played Professor X. I think they are both better than Ryan Gosling, but that is just my opinion. For whatever reason, Gosling just hasn’t really blown me away yet. In his defense, I haven’t seen a bunch of his movies. I might check out Drive though, the reviews are pretty good for it.
@Shane you should watch “The Believer” too.
I fell in love with his acting when I watched it and he was young.
He’s gifted, very talented actor and I’m sure he’ll do great things.
Like Heidi I didn’t think he was that hot but when I saw him acting … waw ! I thought ” man he’s actually hot”.
But he is not the only young great actor. Joseph Gordon Levitt is very talented too.