Overrated: Robert Redford

One of the most well-known actors of his age Robert Redford has received two Oscars. Tellingly, none of them were for his acting. Redford’s most distinguished award came from France. In 2010 he was made a chevalier in the Ordre national de la Légion d’honneur. This is nothing to brag about, MOO’s probably got one. Although established by Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte the decoration is now handed out willy-nilly to lesser mortals. It’s on a par with winning an England football cap.

Hollywood loved the young Redford. He was your average all-American good looking blond boy, made for the screen. Nevertheless the young star showed signs of vanity and only wanted to be shot (film terminology meaning shot from a camera not a gun, for the avoidance of doubt) from his best side. He was conscious of the presence of facial moles on his right side and they were kept to a minimum on film. This startles me as imperfection is more interesting. Motorhead’s Lemmy has warts the size of golf balls on his coupon yet it doesn’t bother him and he’s done alright for himself.

Ok, let’s review a selection of his films which is where Mr Redford is out of his element.

The Chase (1966) Redford is seriously miscast as a violent criminal. Come on, good-looking, all-American, this can’t be right. Anyway, Redford’s character escapes from jail and all the townsfolk in the small town he lived are running scared, so much so that they from a vigilante band to take him down. This is melodrama at its most melodramatic. Redford’s unconvincing performance was overshadowed by an under playing Marlon Brando as the town sheriff. Even at his worst Brando could outdo the opposition.

The Hot Rock (1972) Implausible crime caper written by the usually able William Goldman. Part comedy part drama Redford sleepwalks through the part of a recently released prisoner (again) who is encouraged to use his skills to steal a valuable gem. The gem flits from place to place by a series of unfortunate events. The audience’s attention span flits likewise.

The Great Gatsby (1974) Not much to be said here. Nobody has been a great Gatsby and Redford sure wasn’t.

Indecent Proposal (1993) A not very threatening Woody Harrelson accepts Redford’s offer of a million bucks to sleep with his wife; Demi Moore: Overrated also. Redford was nominated for a Golden Raspberry award for his lacklustre portrayal of a seedy businessman. Again, he gets it all wrong by being nice when he should be sleazy. The GR mob know what’s tripe.

The Horse Whisperer (1998) Seabiscuit it ain’t. Another sluggish overlong production which did give Redford the chance to give full rein to his talent for Sushing. Horse vets everywhere must be wishing it were that easy. All you need to do is whisper. AAARRRGGGHHHH, GIVE ME STRENGTH.

So you’ve gathered that I’m not impressed with Redford’s acting skills. To me, he comes across as bland, boring, uninteresting with no sense of impending danger in any of his roles. I’ve not mentioned the two films he made with the great Paul Newman. In Butch Cassidy, Redford does do a good turn as the Sundance Kid but I think that movie is all about the script (screenplay by the capable aforesaid Goldman). In The Sting, however, all Redford seems to do is run. And run. And run. Newman also wins this one hands down.

Making matters worse, the mole man has upset me immensely. It is reputed that he is set to make an appearance in one of next year’s Marvel blockbusters, provisionally titled Captain America 2. He’s going to ruin it, he always does.