Summary
- Jessica Lange criticizes Hollywood for prioritizing corporate profits over creativity, expressing dismay at the industry’s shift.
- Lange praises foreign films for their artistic depth, highlighting the French legal drama
Anatomy of a Fall
as a favorite. - Jessica Lange reflects on her career experiences with filmmakers like Sydney Pollack and Costa-Gavras, expressing concerns about industry changes.
Jessica Lange is not pleased with the Hollywood film industry’s prioritization of profit over creative expression. During a recent interview with Vulture, the award-winning actress, whose acclaimed career spans back over four decades, slammed the industry’s shift towards a “corporate world.” She told the publication:
“We’re living in a corporate world, and it certainly has rolled over into the film industry. So much of the industry now is not about the creative process. I mean, 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.”
Jessica Lange Considering Retirement Due to Changes in the Industry
Academy Award-winner Jessica Lange may be stepping away from acting soon saying, “creativity is secondary now to corporate profits.”
Lange, however, did have praise for foreign films, noting her favorite film from last year was the Palme d’Or winning French legal drama Anatomy of a Fall.
“You look at some of the best films of the past year — what do they have in common? They’re not from America. My favorite was ‘
Anatomy of a Fall’
. How often do we get to see a film like that, where the ambiguity of things is never sewn up?”
Jessica Lange Reminisces on Positive Filmmaking Experiences
Throughout her career, Lange has garnered acclaim across film, television, and stage. She made her big screen debut in 1976’s King Kong, where her portrayal of Dwan earned her the Golden Globe Award for New Star of the Year. Her notable film credits include Blue Sky, Frances, Country, All That Jazz, The Postman Always Rings Twice, Cape Fear, and Rob Roy. Lange has also impressed on television, earning accolades for her work on Grey Gardens, American Horror Story, and Feud: Bette and Joan. Lange’s expansive career has exposed her to changes as a result of technology in the industry. These advances, as Lange sees it, are not always for the better.
“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. Cameramen don’t light anymore; they’re shooting on digital. You’re not going to watch dailies. It’s a different ball game. I’m just happy I had the opportunity when I was starting out to actually have those experiences with filmmakers like Sydney Pollack and Costa-Gavras. I have to kind of kick myself every time I think,
‘Oh God, it’s not as good as it used to be
.’ Because it’s like the Buddhists say — there are two certainties in life: change and death. You can’t go backward.”
Two of Lange’s most celebrated projects were alongside the lauded directors she fondly recalls working with. Lange worked alongside Sydney Pollack for 1982’s Tootsie, which earned her an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress. In 1989, she starred in Costas-Gravas’ Music Box, receiving a Best Actress Oscar nod for her portrayal of attorney Ann Talbot.
This isn’t the first time Lange has expressed her disillusionment with the film industry’s evolution. Late last year, she publicly contemplated retirement, frustrated by the decreasing emphasis on creativity in favor of profit and “satisfying your stakeholders.” At the time, Lange called out comic book franchise films, saying:
“I’m not interested in these big comic book franchise films. I think that they’ve sacrificed this art that we’ve been involved in … for the sake of profit. I don’t know if it’s because the filmmakers think that they can’t hold the attention of the audience anymore. That kind of filmmaking drives me crazy.”
Jessica Lange’s 8 Best Performances, Ranked
Jessica Lange is one of the most acclaimed actors in Hollywood. From American Horror Story to Grey Gardens, here are her best performances, ranked.
Despite her talk of retirement, Lange is currently involved in several projects. She is earning praise for her current work on Mother Play – A Play in Five Evictions at the Hayes Theater, where she stars alongside Celia Keenan-Bolger and Jim Parsons. She is also set to star in the drama Long Day’s Journey Into Night and Places, Please co-starring Kathy Bates and Pierce Brosnan.
American Horror Story
American Horror Story is a Horror Anthology series created by Ryan Murphy and Brad Falchuk. The franchise has seen stars like Connie Britton, Jessica Lange, Denis O’Hare, Zachary Quinto, Evan Peters, and Dylan McDermott. Each season follows a new premise and spans an array of horror genres like witches, ghosts, serial killers, and more.
- Release Date
- October 5, 2011
- Seasons
- 12
- Studio
- FX
