‘3rd Rock’ star can hold his own in tough roles
Anyone who watched the late ’90s sitcom hit
”
3rd Rock From the Sun
”
watched Joseph Gordon-Levitt grow from a baby-faced boy into an
awkward adolescent. The show aired from 1996 to 2001 and Levitt
played Tommy Solomon, an elderly alien trapped in the body of a
teenager. It was exceptional fare for a sitcom and Gordon-Levitt
did a good job playing the moody teen.
‘3rd Rock’ star can hold his own in tough roles
Anyone who watched the late ’90s sitcom hit “3rd Rock From the Sun” watched Joseph Gordon-Levitt grow from a baby-faced boy into an awkward adolescent. The show aired from 1996 to 2001 and Levitt played Tommy Solomon, an elderly alien trapped in the body of a teenager. It was exceptional fare for a sitcom and Gordon-Levitt did a good job playing the moody teen.
But for a while it seemed his career path would take the same direction as many teen actors. He had bit parts in horror flicks, and teen comedies, including “Halloween H20: 20 Years Later” and “10 Things I Hate About You.” And he voiced an animated character in “Treasure Planet.”
In the last four years, however, Gordon-Levitt has earned his acting chops with tough roles in which he has transformed himself into his characters. Though his more recent films have not been as mainstream, they have won him critical acclaim and shown he is more than a cute sitcom kid.
The Lookout
Imagine living a life of privilege and through a careless mistake losing it all, but being able to remember just enough of what life used to be like to drive you mad. That’s the case with Chris Pratt, played by Gordon-Levitt, in “The Lookout.” Pratt was the most popular kid on campus at high school, the son of wealthy parents and he had a promising life ahead of him when a car accident destroyed it all.
Scott Frank, the director and screenwriter, gave the actors great material to work with in the film. It should come as no surprise for anyone who has seen any of the movies he has to his credit, including “Dead Again,” or “Out of Sight.”
Chris suffers short-term memory loss as well as other brain damage that makes it hard for him to function on his own. He keeps a notebook because he has to write himself lists to do things such as lock the front door or turn off the stove. His social worker tries to reassure him that he can tell the whole story if he just starts at the end. He is aware enough of what he used to be like that he knows something is wrong and he can’t do anything about it.
Chris lives with Lewis (Jeff Daniels), a blind man who looks out for him. The two have plans to turn an old gas station into a restaurant if only they can get enough money. Gordon-Levitt plays the role with just enough frustration to make Chris’ actions in the movie believable
When hanging out at a bar, Chris makes the acquaintance of Gary (Matthew Goode). Gary says he was an old boyfriend of Chris’ older sister and he remembers a great hockey game from the high school years in which Chris played the hero. His new friend seems to take a genuine interest in Chris and even introduces him to a beautiful girl named Luvlee (Isla Fisher).
Chris’ new friends really want more from him than just companionship, and with his limited mental capacities, he is faced with a moral dilemma. He has one true friend in the end and he learns that he can tell a story if he just starts with the end.
Mysterious Skin
Gordon-Levitt’s exceptional acting in “The Lookout” came as no surprise to me because even though the role was challenging, nothing could compare to his 2004 role in “Mysterious Skin.” Gordon-Levitt’s role earned him the Golden Space Needle Award at the Seattle International Film Festival. The story is based on a book by Scott Heim about two boys who share a similar experience when a baseball coach abuses them as 8-year olds. One boy remembers everything. The other has blocked out all his memories and imagines aliens abducted him.
For those who have read the book, the movie is just as raw as the text. Screenplay writer Gregg Araki, who also directed the movie, did not soften the edges for viewers. The movie is not for everyone and it is a tough topic to take in, but it was the acting of Gordon-Levitt that kept me watching until the end.
Gordon-Levitt plays Neil, the abused boy who remembers everything, but still can’t see how damaged he is. We learn about everything that happened to him through his interactions with his best friend Wendy (Michelle Trachtenberg).
Brady Corbert plays Brian, the boy with dreams of alien abductions, but Gordon-Levitt’s fatalistic take on Neil really steals the movie.
“The Lookout” is a must see for anyone, while “Mysterious Skin,” should only be viewed by those who think they can stomach the topic.
