I’m right behind you with this one, Maria, and I couldn’t have said it better!

By the way, I, too, remember Johnny from 21 Jump Street… and I have followed his career since :).

Here’s the comment I posted:

“Is it me or this article is soaked in uncalled-for contempt, for some unfathomable reason? Or is it a failed attempt at witty sarcasm?

Personally, I don’t see why any of Rob’s previous work (especially “Little Ashes”) should be embarrassing for him: they were all pretty honest films and roles, for a young actor at the beginning of his career. Has Steven Zeitchik actually seen any of them, besides “Goblet of Fire”?

As for Rob having “yet to display his talent”, I think that’s what “Little Ashes” just did. As Zeitchik knows, it was “pre-Twilight” work, which means that, with his outstanding portrayal of Salvador Dalì, Rob had already proven his sheer talent *before* “Twilight” was even a speck on his horizon.
I’ll have to agree that “Twilight” was not the best showcase of such talent, but he certainly did the best he could with the material he was given, which is more than Orlando Bloom could say, I reckon. Speaking of which, in my opinion, comparing Robert Pattinson with Orlando Bloom is like comparing solid gold with thin gilding. Respectively.
As others have pointed out, a better comparison would have been with Johnny Depp, a hugely talented actor who has never gone for the “easy job” and who can now afford to take on any role he pleases, regardless of its cash-in value. That is the kind of path Rob has the talent and the guts to undertake. I actually think he is already doing just that, go figure.

There’s something else that just occurred to me: how does Zeitchik measure a successful career? What if Rob had no intention of staying, or being in first place, a teen heart-throb? What if he were happy with just doing small, independent films with challenging roles? Something that did not cause a mass-hysteria phenomenon as Twilight did? Would Steven Zeitchik consider that a successful career or not? Personally, I would.”

I absolutely agree with you about the Johnny Depp comparison. Johnny was a little older ( @ 25 ) when 21 Jumpstreet really took off, but they are both originally musicians who both turned to acting, both are what I would call old souls in that they have a manner and wisdom that belie their years, that can be seen in their role choices, their interests and their favorite books, movies, bands, etc. They can now both choose roles to “pay the bills” which then leaves them to follow the projects that really interest them.
My one thing is this – if there was going to be any other comparison to a young actor, with the same musical / artistic roots with the way that Rob seems to now be suffering and becoming withdrawn under the weight of fame, it is River Phoenix. I just hope beyond hope that Rob manages to take Johnny’s lead , rather than take refuge in drugs and go down the same self-destructive path that River did. He sounds like he has some really loyal friends – I hope he continues to lean on them for support, and continue to do what he loves with acting and music for as long as it makes him happy to do so.

Thanks Rob’s Mountain Lion. I hadn’t actually thought about River, but I hope Rob does take Johnny’s lead rather than his. River definitely left us way too early and before he could show us exactly what he was made of.

Couldn’t agree more!He has always reminded me of River Phoenix same on-screen ability to pull you right in and intrigue you.
I am so saddened by his constant self deprication, so yes no one really thinks themselves are that talented but he seems so beyond even that sometimes. I am in my late 20’s and for some reason this guy abroulutely fascinates me. The funny thing is, I haven;t really been “interested” in someone esp. someone I don’t even know since I can remember (I think 15 years ago I had a “crush” on keanu reeves-but i was 14 so I get that). But Robert Pattinson intrigues me. He seems to have an incredible talent for characterisation, even through his music. And to everyone, including rob, who seems to write off his performance in Twilight. I am not ashamed to say I loved it. He is the king of the dramatic pause and I loved what he has done with the character of edward. Notwithstanding his other very fine performances. Thanks for captivating me…

Anyone that has seen all of Robs films, can see that he has the raw talent to have a long and successful career.
Robs post twilight success I believe will rest in his film choices and direction. He certainly appears grounded in his motivation for acting, as he has stated that he wants to do roles that challenge him. This fact alone I believe will help him choose the right roles that will prove his star power and success.

I agree with Athena, in that what is ones definition of a “successful career” or “Real Movie Star”. We could even go down the path of comparing Rob with the late Heath Ledger. Although Heath doesn’t do it for me personally, I believe Heath also had that “natural talent”. Once Heath got his Hollywood break he also choose his roles carefully, resulting in his ultimate success. I wonder how much of Heath passing was contributed the pressures of Hollywood or what he had placed on himself. I too believe Rob is an old sole, but I think he is also grounded enough not to make the same mistakes as River and Heath.

One thing is for sure, Rob has that special something you can’t quite define. I have never been drawn to an actor as I am to Rob. I want to see the all the films he has made and will go see his future movies. I think there is allot of other Rob fans that feel the same, we want to see him succeed and be happy in whatever he wants to do. Rob is so young to the business overall, but to have this type of draw to me is the makings of a Real Movie Star.

Thanks for your comments Helen. I’m a little older than my late 20’s and I too cannot remember the last time someone interested and intrigued me to this level. As far as I’m concerned I doubt anyone else could have portrayed Edward Cullen as believably as Rob did. The emotion alone in the “lion and lamb” and “don’t know how long I’ve waited for you” dialogue sealed it for me – considering the script he was given to work with.

I don’t have much to add in relation to Johnny Depp, since you all said it so perfectly already. Just for the record, I sat through (or taped) every single episode of 21 Jump street, that’s just between us though.

One thing that managed to bother me (other than the unworthy comparisons he mentions) is how this Steve fellow can speculate as to which direction Rob’s going to take (as if Rob wasn‘t already under enough pressure). As Maria mentions, it’s obvious poor Stevie hasn’t done his research. Not only has Rob shown us his versatility and high work ethic in pre-Twilight roles, but has mentioned in interviews on several occasions that he (paraphrasing) loves to be challenged so prefers meatier roles. With this motivation, I don’t see why he would decide any other direction.
I’m still not sure why Rob’s role in Twilight isn’t to be taken as seriously as his other works. I agree with Athena as she points out, “he did the best with what he was given”. Isn’t locking yourself away for a couple of months to study a character such as Edward, for a small indie film not showing a depth and commitment to a project? He had me totally convinced.

I’m not much for speculating, however, just like Johnny, I’m hoping Rob continues to carve his own path rather than allow himself to be poked, prodded and sold off among the money spinners. Being grounded as mentioned above makes for a good compass. I hope he goes for the roles that will give him something to really sink his acting chops into, even if they aren’t what we the audience are longing for. That’s how it went down with Johnny. I sat through some real freaky sh%t for him. The beauty however was in watching how he could take a role and bring an entire film to it’s surface, how he could take the weirdest or most mundane and make it captivating, real and in bizarre fashion, left one feeling oddly connected. It had nothing to do with the eye candy (some of the time) because he managed to play some very unattractive peeps (his directors/producers must have had a difficult time of it, just like our Oliver).
I’ve not seen Little Ashes yet so am really looking forward to seeing Rob do a little crazy while connecting to Dali.

Anyway, whatever Rob decides, I’ll have the “Teen” pom poms of joy at the ready, no matter what. No pressure from me. A successful career is getting to do what he loves to do, not what the critics and so forths imagine for themselves.
It’s clear he is smart, knows what he wants and is securing himself a position not to have to go down the path of the soul-less.

Oh look it’s a ramble, I have a terrible head cold today.