“Write what you know,” that’s what they say — which may account in some part for why Hollywood loves to make movies and shows about, well, Hollywood. Just as astrology enthusiasts study their sun signs to confirm what they know about themselves, so too does the movie-making biz enjoy a bit of self-reflection. Or is it self-indulgence? Either way, it makes for great stories.
Of course, at the center of those stories are actors, and watching an actor portray a character who is also an actor offers a fascinating meta-perspective. Are they being themselves? Are they pulling from their own experience of stardom? Are they exaggerating or mocking or romanticizing the job? One can’t help but wonder.
As essayist William Hazlitt wrote, “Actors are the only honest hypocrites.” Which just might make playing an actor the most complicated role of all.
Whether you appreciate the art of filmmaking, the craft of acting — be it on stage or screen — or simply want to escape into the glamour of Hollywood, consider these shows and movies about actors and acting your personal (albeit fictional) peek behind the curtain.
Jay Kelly
Noah Baumbach directs this movie about a Hollywood superstar reflecting on his career, identity, and relationships — and he’s played by George Clooney (Hollywood superstar). Jay is mourning the passing of his friend, the director (Jim Broadbent) who gave him his big break in the industry, when he runs into his old college roommate (Billy Crudup) and is unpleasantly reminded of those he hurt on his way to stardom. Dragging his loyal manager, Ron (Adam Sandler), and long-suffering publicist, Liz (Laura Dern), to Italy for an awards ceremony, Jay searches for validation, both in his memories and through his children, for the choices he’s made. At the same time, Ron is realizing, too, that the sacrifices he’s made for Jay have blurred the line between professional and personal.
May December
Among acting’s many challenges, taking on the role of a real person is certainly up there. Natalie Portman took things a step further as an actor playing an actor — Elizabeth — who is preparing to portray a real woman. The woman in question is Gracie Atherton-Yoo (Julianne Moore), who has built a life and family with Joe (Charles Melton), a man whom she raped when he was 13 and she was 36. Elizabeth spends time with the family, interviewing Gracie, who naively romanticizes her and Joe’s beginnings, and also Joe, who starts to question the power dynamics at play, both then and now. Elizabeth falls deeper into the role, mimicking Gracie’s mannerisms and lisp, but she’s not the only one who’s trying to convince the world — and themselves — of who they are.
The Kominsky Method
A sad truth of the acting profession is that it’s hard to break in, and even harder to stay in. Sandy Kominsky (Michael Douglas) was once successful as an actor, though he never reached true stardom. Now he’s an acting coach, advising young actors who are exactly where he used to be, chasing their dreams. His best friend and agent, Norman (Alan Arkin), is a dry, witty counterbalance to Sandy’s ego-driven flightiness. Together, they navigate the trials of aging while coming to terms with their diminishing place in the industry. Darkly funny and emotionally affecting, The Kominsky Method won the Golden Globe for Best Television Series — Musical or Comedy, and Douglas earned the Golden Globe for Best Actor in a television series, musical or comedy.
Hollywood
Many would call the late 1940s the peak of Hollywood’s “Golden Age.” The war was over, and moving pictures now had sound and, sometimes, color. This series, from Ryan Murphy, presents a slightly idealized version of ’40s Hollywood. One where prejudices against race, gender, and sexual orientation are on their way out much sooner than in real history. Jack Castello (David Corenswet), a WWII vet and aspiring actor, moves to Los Angeles with his wife. He gets a job at a gas station that’s actually a front for a brothel, catering to the industry’s biggest names. Jack and the other equally ambitious men working at “Golden Tip Gas” use their, ahem, connections from the gas station to further their careers. The show includes a vibrant cast of characters, many of whom depict real historical figures from the industry at the time.
Marriage Story
A peril of acting, and one that many movies about the craft include, is the repercussions of pursuing one’s dream at the expense of others. In this emotionally gripping film from Noah Baumbach, a successful theater director, Charlie (Adam Driver), and his wife, Nicole (Scarlett Johansson), a former teen movie star, navigate the dissolution of their marriage. Charlie is celebrating the forward momentum of his Broadway play just as Nicole lands a role in a TV pilot in LA, separating the family. Nicole asks for a divorce, and thus begins a very messy process of splitting up and reckoning with who they have been to each other — and who each wants to be moving forward. Adam Driver’s rendition of Sondheim’s “Being Alive,” toward the end of the film, is a perfect example of how performance enhances our understanding of ourselves.
Dolemite Is My Name
Based on a true story, this hilarious take on breaking into the biz demonstrates that persistence sometimes pays off. Rudy Ray Moore (Eddie Murphy) is a struggling comedian working at a record store when he’s inspired to create a character named Dolemite. Dolemite is a crass pimp who uses rhymes to tell stories humorously. While Rudy has some success on a comedy tour with his act, he dreams bigger, deciding Dolemite should be the main character in a Blaxploitation film. He uses his wit and brazen confidence to raise money, assemble actors, and write a script to pull it all together, eventually creating the film that would solidify his place in movie (and hip-hop) history.
Blonde
Marilyn Monroe is arguably among the most identifiable actresses in Hollywood history, which means Ana de Armas took on quite the feat portraying the screen legend. From her childhood as Norma Jeane Mortenson to her success as a pin-up model to the exploitative treatment she endured on her way to stardom, this drama captures many of the highs and lows of Monroe’s short life. It’s a sad and brutal look at the ways the studio system used and abused their stars, and at the sycophants who latched on to take advantage.
The Bubble
For lighter fare, this comedy from Judd Apatow pokes fun at the hungry beast that is the film industry, pumping out movies and leaning on franchises — no matter the cost. Carol Cobb (Karen Gillan) is an actress on the decline, tainted by controversy. So when she’s offered the chance to reprise her role as Dr. Lacey Nightingale in the sixth installment of the box-office-hit franchise Cliff Beasts, she jumps at it. But there is a worldwide pandemic in play, meaning the cast and crew must work within their quarantine bubble. Cabin fever, on-set tension, production delays, and prima donna actors all contribute to a hilarious and absurd movie-making experience.
BoJack Horseman
This adult animated series explores many themes: the pursuit of happiness, mental health struggles, evolving identity, and the need to be understood. But on its face, it’s about an anthropomorphic horse (Will Arnett) facing the reality that his time as a TV star has come to an end. BoJack is now an aging, jaded has-been who pushes away the few people who care for him. While the show has its heavier moments, many of its funniest scenes involve flashbacks to BoJack’s tenure on his hit sitcom, Horsin’ Around, and his time as a celebrity, showing the difficult, but addictive, life that comes with fame.
Saturday Night
50 seasons in, Saturday Night Live has become an institution of American television, and this film depicts the first night the show aired, in 1975. Gabriel LaBelle is Lorne Michaels, the young producer who faces skepticism from the studio about his show, ego-clashing among his cast, and even derision from established TV talent like Johnny Carson (Jeff Witzke). Despite the mounting odds, Michaels and his cast tweak the show and proceed with what would become a historic evening. The movie features a star-studded cast portraying actors and comedians who went on to become major players in the industry.
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