Male on Sunday - 12

"I cut things off because I no longer want to be like a wall, or a rubbish bin where you dump anything you want." - Gerard Depardieu

If Gerard Depardieu was born outside France, his life would have been different. If he entered film in places like Hollywood, he would have been typecast or had a short lifespan as an actor because the realm of Hollywood prefers the aesthetically ‘beautiful’ actor, the type of person that doesn’t cause too much visual friction for the audience. In almost every film from La-La Land, it’s the same thing. It’s not about the person, and Botox does little for facial expression, it’s more about looks or a certain type of neat appearance that evades categorization but is noticeable throughout many major releases.

As the third child of six children, he didn’t expect much. Gerard’s beginning, in Châteauroux were ordinary where poverty is concerned. The Second World War, particularly in Europe was one of the darkest periods of the modern era, but this era also infused every survivor with a sense of adventure. It’s much like the saying, ‘there are worse things,’ and millions of Europeans who lived through the war, and personally endured trials and tribulations had a close example of the worst.

Depardieu didn’t follow the customary rules that actors follow today. He didn’t have some epiphany at a young age and immediately decide, like many of today’s actors, that ‘acting’ was in his blood or whatever else. He left home at 12, and became a nomad, living an adventurous life. Life is an adventure when one leaves home so early in the piece. He worked as a dishwasher, and he also worked on the Riviera as a beach boy, doing things such as putting up umbrellas for people. His adventure through Europe was also funded via stolen cars, and petty crime. During this early age, he also lived with two prostitutes.

Much has been said about his entry into drama, but according to one interview, Gerard relays that he lost a part of his language by the time he came to Paris. On the advice of others he enrolled at the Theatre National Populaire. The rest, they say, is history. Since his 1965 debut, at the age of sixteen, in French short film Le Beatnik et le Minet he’s never been out of work and is classed as one of France’s most accomplished actors with 150 feature films under his belt, some of these films include English language films such as Peter Weir’s Green Card, Ridley Scott’s 1492 - Conquest of Paradise and Randall Wallace’s The Man in the Iron Mask.

There are no limits where acting is concerned. Each emotion, gesture or speech mannerism may look effortless to execute, but the wide variety of characters Depardieu has played emphasizes the skill of the actor’s art. In Green Card he played the bumbling émigré, in Cyrano de Bergerac (for which he received an Oscar nomination) he displays a vulnerability (aside from being naturally endowed with a sizeable nose that’s fitting to the original character from the play) within Bergerac’s flamboyance and masculinity. In the Return of Martin Geurre he plays a humble peasant, who upon returning from a war asserts his identity. He isn’t purely a dramatic actor, he’s also played comedic characters, the sort that aren’t far removed from everyday life. In Tais Toi, starring opposite Jean Reno’s suave criminal character, he plays Quentin the bumbling wannabe criminal that drives Reno’s character to the brink of distraction.

It’s all in the eyes, I think. Gerard’s eyes have seen many things, and his personal life has been tumultuous. In more recent times he’s publicly fallen out with his son Guillaume, and at the same time he’d also maintain a clear work ethic, delivering roles with a skill that’s second to none. Others would have gone into hiatus, or at worse reach a ‘senior’ age and be sidelined, whereas Gerard went from strength to strength as an actor. This is why I’ve always loved French film (and European film in general). France doesn’t view their actors in terms of half lives, or peak periods, and doesn’t sideline actors due to age, appearance or personal crises. There is a distinct line between an actor’s personal life and their work. The two never blend, and an actor’s personal life is separate from their acting ability and/or films.

Outside of Europe it’s different, and an actor’s personal life can affect the success of their film. A more recent example would be Russell Crowe, and the limited success of The Cinderella Man in the wake of the fracas at the Mercer Hotel. It will be interesting to see whether or not Mel Gibson’s next film, Apocalypto, fares well. This, I have to confess is why I don’t particularly like mainstream Hollywood film that much and prefer independent films in more recent times. If an actor isn’t good looking enough, or has experienced a few rounds in rehab, the actor is judged severely and their work opportunities can dry up. One only has to look at the likes of Brad Pitt and Robert Downey Jnr to see the different acting ranges, and yet how many times do we see Robert Downey Jnr? He’s one outstanding actor. But open up a magazine and we’ll see Pitt and Angelina; their recent popularity isn’t based on their work or artistry, it’s based on the controversy of their union and ten million paparazzi shots.

Thus, in an actor like Gerard, a viewer sees the actors art, and it’s an art that can be compared to the likes of Pacino, de Niro, Brando, Hanks and of late, Jim Carrey (his role as Count Olaf, and footage of his improvisations provide glimpses to immense talent).

I first saw an article about Gerard Depardieu as a mid teenager. He was described, back then, as one of the sexy actors to watch. Women find him sexy, because he’s gregarious and full of life. Men like him because he’s a man’s man, and doesn’t pull any punches. He’s also considered a gourmand, and has written his own cook book, has also extended his love of fine wine to produce his own wines. Although he announced his retirement from film in October last year, he could also be considered one of the highest paid actors in France and has also received the 'Chevalier du Légion d'Honneur' or Knight of the Legion of Honour.

He is the vulnerable Geurre, lovelorn Cyrano, swashbuckling Musketeer Porthos, happy go lucky émigré Georges, the intrepid Christopher Columbus, and most importantly that vulnerable twelve year old boy who decided to drop out of school to embrace an adventurous life.