Posted by Isis at 132.236.35.61 on July 23, 2001 at 15:38:37:
Alright now, I love me some Jonny Favreau, so let's not get into personal dissing. I'm sorry to come in late on this bandwagon but my weekend got devoted to music and mind-altering substances so I'm lagging behind.
Let me ask you guys what you think -- VA staff, fans, anybody -- do you think that ensemble casting detracts or adds to the enjoyment of a director's films? Particularly Kevin's?
Personally, I actually enjoy the tactic and think it works remarkably well particularly for directors who are also writers. Writing with a certain actor in mind makes for a certain richness in the acting, I feel. It's also a treat for those who follow that director's work to be able to recognize the actors and enjoy seeing them play a variety of characters. It also introduces the audience to talented actors and vice versa and keeps those poor show bizzers employed.
Spike Lee does it and no one complains, so does P.T. Anderson, so does that "Waiting for Guffman" guy. It's actually one of my favorite things about all these writer/directors.
(Then again, we can't be too mad at Favreau considering I just don't think he was paying that much attention to "Dogma". Jason Lee didn't play the Devil but a minor demon. So I wouldn't take his comments too seriously.)
-- i
If Dogma was being made today I'd say cast P.T. as the Devil -- hilarity!