From a Certain Point of View (essay)
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| Title: | From a Certain Point of View |
| Creator: | Joann Emerson |
| Date(s): | November 1983 |
| Medium: | |
| Fandom: | |
| Topic: | |
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From a Certain Point of View is a 1983 essay by Joann Emerson.
It was printed in Rogue's Gallery #13.
The topic was the male fan, why they liked Harrison Ford, and how they expressed themselves.
Some Topics Discussed
- guys being worried they were gay
- different way males and females watch movies
- it's important to be funny
The Essay
Have you ever noticed how one man's opinion about a male movie star is a secret affair? This innocent viewer sallied forth last year intent upon getting male opinions on Harrison Ford films, finding more often than not, men are inhibited when it comes to open, candid remarks about a male movie star. Male attention to a male actor still has too many homosexual overtones. Yet men go into the acting profession with the desire to attract an audience of mixed gender. When asked, "What do you like about Harrison Ford's performance?" most would not answer, but if one answered several would add to it sometimes creating lengthy conversation. Male opinions are strong and varied.
First and foremost, Mr. Ford's sense of humor attracted the greatest comment. Ford's cynical delivery fits almost every situation and comments included, "I'd like to be like that myself," "This line really fits," and "I wish I had said that." One individual mentioned Ford's humor is best in his interviews, however most found great humor in every HF movie they had seen with the RAIDERS Black Arab scene mentioned most often. Second, the male audience is split on which characters they like best, but Indiana Jones, a more contemporary hero, usually edged out Han Solo.
One man said he liked the way both characters handled their women because of the characters' "Take it or leave me" attitude, in spite of Marion's whack on the jaw in RAIDERS and Leia's singeing retorts in the SW trilogy.
Third, most meh seemed to like the way Ford, the actor who is not athletic, handles himself in a fight. One male fan said, "I wouldn't want to tangle with him anywhere." Several of his male friends agreed. Another male patron, who was fast becoming a Ford fan, remarked. Ford's best roles are the SW movies, RAIDERS and BLADE RUNNER. His reasons were that Ford becomes the character; he loses himself in the part. This movie fan did not feel that HANOVER STREET, FRISCO KID, or FORCE 10 had this quality. These he claims were Ford acting, but not as a character, a very astute observation. Many male patrons of RAIDERS of the SW movies did not care what else Ford had done. They knew there would be sequels and were content with just these portrayals.
Fourth, violence and special effects were primary reasons men watched BLADE RUNNER, although some were intrigued with it's deeper nuances, and these gentlemen were generally more open in their remarks mentioning Deckard's irresolute occupation in a degenerate society.
Last but not least, they spoke about Ford's character of the reluctant hero, applauding the character's fortitude. Along with Ford's sense of humor and non-atheletic abilities on screen, the reluctant hero role has captured the attention of male fans. The reluctant hero idea in SW, RAIDERS and even BLADE RUNNER brings unusual happenings closer to the male fans point of view.
It is interesting that of all the male patrons asked, not one mentioned they liked Ford because he played this part or that like Cary Grant, Bogey or John Wayne. They simply liked Ford's acting style. The conclusion is that although men are usually reluctant to voice their opinions, they believe they have found a contemporary hero who can mix it up with the best of them, while adding dry wit to every situation, it is no wonder then that Harrison Ford is the most sought after actor of this hero seeking time and he has every right to be proud of his accomplishment.