Movie Stars: My Cryptonite
by Societal obsession with celebrity.
Of course that is easier said, than done. It can be a true test of your identity. What is fame to you? Who deserves your respect and gratitude? Remember, there is NOTHING behind the curtain. Nothing but a human being.
Others may refer to Anderson’s fairytale but a “motion picture” comes to my mind as well, when I am faced with the ridiculousness of Hollywood. I think of Citizen Kane. Now I’m sure that this movie has been analyzed to pieces and thesis’s been written, etc. but since I am a layperson, I will just tell it as I remember it. It’s the final scene with Orson on his deathbed and all the wealth and fame of his life before, gone. He is alone and his final word is “Rosebud”, the name of his sled as a child. The name of his sled! He is referring to a time in his life when he had been happy.
So what does that have to do with anything? Fame and fortune can be taken away and will be taken away but happy memories, good friends, family, even kind strangers can make a life worth living. Perhaps I should be famous for being a dog walker? Certainly the dogs at my local park think I am a celebrity- but that’s because they know I have treats in my pocket and I let them sit on the furniture when they are over. I don’t know, maybe my point is that there really is no reason to think that someone is better than you because they made a movie and are a millionaire. It is an age-old story I suppose. Personally I don’t believe in hero worship, be it an actor, teacher, priest, yoga instructor, bus driver, etc. If you are polite and gracious, I will be the same in return.
I saw Peter Bogdanovich one day and it reminded me of something he once said:
”I made a lot of mistakes when I was successful in the ’70s. You know, there’s no handbook for success so I couldn’t make out what vibe I was picking up. But it’s called jealousy, envy and loathing, though they come at you with smiles because they want something from you. So you put on a front of arrogance to cover insecurity.”
Perhaps that is why Hollywood “industry” Orks (as my sister and I affectionately call them) act so crudely? Their insecurity is masked by arrogance? Somehow, I think that’s being generous.
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