Is New Moon Star Robert Pattinson the New James Dean? by Larson Hill
Judging
by the daily tidal wave of Twilight Saga related
headlines about Twilight and New Moon star Robert
Pattinson, you would think Pattinson is the reincarnation
of James Dean. Sure Robert Pattinson is popular,
but do Twilight and New Moon fans think Pattinson
has enough acting credit under his Twilight belt
to be compared to James Dean? Seriously.
From the countless Twilight photos and New Moon cover shoots that Robert Pattinson has been the center of attention, there was always something familiar about the Twilight Saga look of Pattinson that I couldn't narrow dowm. But now I get it since it's been Twilight revealed that New Moon actor Robert Pattinson based his look and mannerisms on the classic screen legend James Dean.
In a Twilight related New Moon interview with USA Today, Robert Pattinson revealed that he did indeed draw inspiration from James Dean for his role as Twilight Saga character Edward Cullen, saying, "‘Rebel Without A Cause’ was a big influence on the first [‘Twilight’ film], it influenced the hairdo and stuff." Even before Robert Pattinson revealed his James Dean inspiration, the stylish Twilight signs were there.
Although comparisons can be made between the look of Robert Pattinson and James Dean from the many Twilight and New Moon photos, Robert Pattinson mentions the Twilight arc is reminiscent to the most famous role James Dean played, as Jim Stark in Rebel Without a Cause. "In lots of ways," said Pattinson, "it has a very similar character arc: An everyday girl brings this relatively strange individual out of his slump."
So is Robert Pattinson this generation's James Dean? The way Robert Pattinsone styles his hair to his facial expressions certainly reflect the classic images of James Dean. And now it's clear that Robert Pattinson has tried to emulate James Dean, at least in appearance. But Pattinson emulation doesn't quite translate to the legend of James Dean. Sorry Twilighters, not yet anyway. There's a huge difference between "popular" and "talent". And I'm not saying Robert Pattinson isn't talented either. But just because Robert Pattinson tried to look like James Dean, doesn't mean he's in the league of James Dean. Like I said, not yet.
Until
Robert Pattinson begins to land roles beyond
Twilight and New Moon in films of the level
of East of Eden, Rebel Without a Cause, and
Giant, there's no way you can compare Robert
Pattinson to James Dean other than a planned
attempt at looks alone. However, there is an
interesting Robert Pattinson - James Dean comparison
in that Robert Pattinson recently revealed he
was unsure if he would continue acting in the
future, which mirrors the rumors surrounding
James Dean that Dean was about to quit acting
after shooting Somebody Up There Likes Me, which
never came to be since James Dean died suddenly
in a car accident in 1955.
But comparing Robert Pattinson to James Dean is a dangerous game since the popularity and mystique surrounding James Dean has grown larger after his death to elevate Dean to pop-culture icon status. Is Robert Pattinson a current Twilight and New Moon pop-culture icon? Yes, absolutely. Is Robert Pattinson James Dean reincarnate? Absolutely not. But we do agree that Robert Pattinson looks good from the James Dean inspiration.
Haven't we learned to not compare people to deceased celebrities? From the moment we do, they're doomed to end up like them.
devontae – yahoo.com
October 24, 2009 - 22:36
Subject:
Personally I have no idea who james dean is but I do no who robert pattinson is an that I am a fan of his and a huge twilight saga fan. Ps. Can't wait for twilight new moon to come out
Judging
by the daily tidal wave of Twilight Saga related
headlines about Twilight and New Moon star Robert
Pattinson, you would think Pattinson is the reincarnation
of James Dean. Sure Robert Pattinson is popular,
but do Twilight and New Moon fans think Pattinson
has enough acting credit under his Twilight belt
to be compared to James Dean? Seriously.
Until
Robert Pattinson begins to land roles beyond
Twilight and New Moon in films of the level
of East of Eden, Rebel Without a Cause, and
Giant, there's no way you can compare Robert
Pattinson to James Dean other than a planned
attempt at looks alone. However, there is an
interesting Robert Pattinson - James Dean comparison
in that Robert Pattinson recently revealed he
was unsure if he would continue acting in the
future, which mirrors the rumors surrounding
James Dean that Dean was about to quit acting
after shooting Somebody Up There Likes Me, which
never came to be since James Dean died suddenly
in a car accident in 1955.