Jessica Lange makes claim about why Hollywood is being ruined
Jessica Lange is a veteran actor by now. After breaking out in the 1970s, she’s seen the industry go through various changes and phases. Now, Lange has revealed what she thinks is ruining Hollywood right now.
Lange has worked in almost every corner of the industry. She broke out as a major film star in the action film King Kong, but has dominated in the genres of musicals, comedies, romantic dramas and beyond. She’s also worked in TV and on Broadway, seeing how the machine works from every vantage point.
For the actor, there is one clear issue that has Hollywood in a chokehold right now: money. In an interview with Vulture, she spoke about how financial interests are squashing creativity in the modern movie scene. The topic came up when discussing the films Batgirl and Coyote vs. Acme, both of which were axed after being fully shot for a tax write-off. “There should be a law against it,” Lange said.
“We’re living in a corporate world and it certainly has rolled over into the film industry,” Lange said. There is no denying that Hollywood is a business by now. It is a $42.5billion dollar industry, bringing in a vital contribution to the American economy and propping up hundreds of different film and TV businesses. But to the actor, that fact has overtaken the artistry that should be at the core of the industry.
“So much of the industry now is not about the creative process,” she continued. “Obviously, this is not across the board, but there are many instances where I feel like the artistic impulse is overwhelmed by the corporate profit motive.”
In her opinion, perhaps Hollywood is over. Instead, the actor is looking across the seas to the exciting film scenes thriving in Europe and beyond. “You look at some of the best films of the past year — what do they have in common? They’re not from America,” she said. “My favourite was Anatomy of a Fall”, she added, sharing her love for the 2023 French legal drama. She continued, “How often do we get to see a film like that, where the ambiguity of things is never sewn up?”
In general, Lange has simply seen the industry change so much as technology has advanced and everything has become increasingly digital. “I remember sitting on a film set waiting for hours for the cinematographer to get the lighting right and it was worth it because the result was spectacular. But that’s changed,” Lange said. “Cameramen don’t light anymore; they’re shooting on digital. You’re not going to watch dailies,” she added. All in all, she has to admit, “It’s a different ball game.”
Never Miss A Scene
The Far Out Film Newsletter
All the latest film news from the independent voice of culture.
Straight to your inbox.