The Screening Room Talks Bel-Ami
I know I’m like a dog with a bone but I just like talking Bel-Ami even if it’s pretty much the same as yesterday’s article. Â According to the Screening Room:
“Once Edward Cullen, always Edward Cullen? Well, Twilight star Robert Pattinson certainly hopes not. With last year’s Remember Me and next month’s Water for Elephants (Pattinson purportedly signed on to Elephants after learning that it was going to look like Terrence Malick’s Days of Heaven), it seems pretty evident that the 24-year-old actor is doing the best he can to sidestep any possibility of being typecast in the breed of “sulking heartthrob”.
There’s another Pattinson movie coming up though that has been particularly difficult to market. Slated to be released sometime this year, “Bel Ami” – based on Guy de Maupassant’s novel of the same name – has Pattinson playing the role of a specious 1890s Parisian social climber named George Duroy – a character whom Pattinson has labelled a “s**t.” Here’s more of what the Water for Elephants star had to say to Total Film about his Duroy character:
“We were really true to the book and because the guy is basically a s**t who wins everything at the end it’s really difficult to market it – especially with me in it. Everyone’s worried that everyone’s going to be thinking, ‘Oh I want him to be nice, he’s got to be nice to all the ladies’.â€
Hmm… a tricky predicament indeed. How, exactly, does one go about marketing Edward “The Deceptive Bastard” Cullen?  My hunch, and this is just a hunch of course, is that many twentysomethings (young and older alike) would be thrilled to see Robert Pattinson flex some honest acting chops. When it comes to teenagers though, my hunch isn’t quite as strong. Important to note, however, is that in Bel Ami, he’ll be playing a “sexy” specious social climber. In that regard, he can both disgust and charm us at the same time. A win for the critics here, a win for the twihards there… what’s not to like?”
OMG I can’t believe I’ve been so delusional to think that Rob Pattinson was actually a person … no seriously I’ve spent the last 3 years believing he wasn’t  Edward Cullen and now Mark has brought it to my attention that they need to market “Edward “The Deceptive Bastard” Cullen”. The realities of life …
And Mark almost redeemed himself that Edward  has non Twi fans, but seriously that last comment “a win for the twihards there …”  hahaha – they will be lucky to be able to get in to see this film.  Like I mentioned in the comments section of yesterday’s article, I think the dilemma isn’t that they are editing to make Edward likeable – I think they need to make sure the film doesn’t get an “R” rating and will limit the audience that can watch it.  If they’ve stuck really true to the book then it can’t be lower than MA+ in Australia really.  And perhaps this is the reason the US had trouble with a distributor – no offence but our classifications are far less prudish.  Jesus I mean how over the top was the US media re Melissa Leo’s slip up at the Globes.  Hahaha I don’t think its Australian television unless we hear “shit”, *f*&k”  or insert any other expletive you desire.  Oh wait I’m rambling now – see what  you do to me Edward.
Once again thanks to Roberta for the tip re this article!
PS. Â I know that I’ve called Rob/Georges Edward throughout my comment – it’s tongue in cheek. Â After all for poor Rob it’s almost like “he never existed” Â – hahaha.
16 comments on “The Screening Room Talks Bel-Ami”
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Vicky
Where do I start, oh I know, stop trying to market Edward Cullen and start seeing Robert Pattinson!!!! It is insulting to both Rob and many of his fans to assume that everyone just wants him to be Edward at all times. There are enough crazies already who can’t tell the difference do we need to keep perpetuating it? Seriously? I want to see Rob as Georges, as a shit, as a “ruthless manwhoring bastard”!!! I cannot wait!! Ok my rant is over, sorry everyone. Thanks for posting Maria.
Martha M
Vicky I just copied and pasted what you said, because you stole the words right out of my mind. So here goes again what Vicky said: stop trying to market Edward Cullen and start seeing Robert Pattinson!!!! It is insulting to both Rob and many of his fans to assume that everyone just wants him to be Edward at all times. There are enough crazies already who can’t tell the difference do we need to keep perpetuating it? Seriously? I want to see Rob as Georges, as a shit, as a “ruthless manwhoring bastardâ€!!! I cannot wait!! Ok my rant is over, sorry everyone. Thanks for posting Maria. You said it perfectly Vicky.
Vicky
Awww thanks Martha.
Martha M
My pleasure Vicky.
ephie
Oh how I love your sarcasm @maria!!
@vicky and Martha I totally agree with what you said so I will not repeat it again.
Get it in your minds people and critics alike!!! We, Rob’s fans want to see him ACTING!!! And that means all types of roles whether he be playing a “shit”, a murderer or a nice guy…last time I looked that was the definition of an actor…Why should we want him typecast? Where is the artistic expression in that? And you’d better believe it: Rob is an Actor with a capital A. Not just a teen pin-up.
And that’s all i have to say.
Cindy
Oh No eddie Cullens not real!!?
Please say it aint so!! {said in my most sarky smart arse voice} Honestly where do these dingus get there degrees in journalism From the inside of a toilet roll ?!!
Carmel
Am I right that it is only in US that BA is having distributor problems? If it is edited to keep it family friendly for that market, will there be a different/original cut for the UK and elsewhere? Maria, you may know this.
I want my RMB.
Maria
@Carmel – no they have a US distributor now I believe and I doubt they would edit it purely for one market. I don’t think we will see an original cut seeing as Rob mentioned that they are still editing it and remember they already held a screening in the UK. They are clearly responding to that audience’s reactions. I’d say they are just tweeking – I wouldn’t worry that we are going to see some fluff instead of what they set out to do. Just my opinion.
Sometimes the old adage “there’s no such thing as bad publicity” could be what they are doing – after all – it’s got us talking about it again – in case we had forgotten.
Vicky
LOL Maria like we could forget but I can see what you’re saying cause here we are talking about the movie again!!!
ephie
I hope you’re right @Maria and that it will be close to the original. It would be very frustrating to all involved if it ended up a watered down version just to keep a a few idiots happy. The story is a classic for a reason.
Sare
@Maria so true about our ratings being more lenient compared to America. I just hope we get to see it as how Rob wanted it to be portrayed.
Vicky
My fear for the movie is more about its release and that it may only be limited to a small number of theatres. I really hope that fear is unfounded. RM only played three times in my local theatre. I hate the thought of not seeing this movie on the big screen.
Maria
@Vicky it is an indie film though – not a big Hollywood blockbuster. Hopscotch are the distributors and they tend to have their films shown at the Dendy or Palace Cinemas – not that I’m saying that’s happening, just trying to ward off people expecting that it might be shown at all the megaplexes. Although Event Cinema seems to also be on board with some of their films.
Vicky
That’s what i was thinking Maria, thanks for the confirmation. The important thing is that it is released.
Carmel
@ Maria – Thanks for the assurances. I was getting worried. Like Ephie, I hope they don’t tweak the main story too much.
I love seeing movies at places like The Dendy or The Ritz. Somehow it makes it more of an experience to me. Those places have ready made atmosphere
Sare
@Carmel I’ve been to the Ritz once and the whole experience was amazing. The atmosphere and decor created an old hollywood feel. I loved it!