Humphrey Bogart reportedly said, “The only thing you owe the public is a good performance.” So let’s forget the Scientology stuff. Let’s ignore the speculation on his hair (or lack of it) and his sexuality. And let’s admit that John Travolta — who has lots of movies available for rent or sale on iTunes — is the most interesting actor around.
Why? Let’s list the ways.
Travolta’s not afraid to try something different. Mock his attempt at a Serbian accent in the underestimated “Killing Season” if you will, but the guy’s adventurous and doesn’t play the same role over and over. He also does a fine Arkansas accent (“Primary Colors”) and Texas accent (“Urban Cowboy”), as well as a not-too-bad English accent (“The Dumb Waiter”).
Travolta’s a triple threat man. He sings (“Grease,” “Hairspray”), dances (“Saturday Night Fever,” “Grease,” “Hairspray”) and, of course, acts. When it comes to the latter he does action films (“Face/Off,” “Broken Arrow”), comedies (“Look Who’s Talking,” “Wild Hogs”), dramas (“A Civil Action,” “Phenomenon”), and dramadies (“Get Shorty”).
Travolta’s a great bad guy. Has any leading man since James Cagney (one of the actor’s idols) played more villains? Travolta has walked on the criminal side in, among others, “Swordfish,” “The Punisher,” “Broken Arrow,” “Face/Off,” and, of course, “Pulp Fiction.”
Travolta’s a chameleon. I dare you to find many similarities between the blue collar disco dancer in “Saturday Night Fever,” the doofus hit man in “Pulp Fiction,” the ex-cop turned special effects artist in “Blow Out” (one of the most under-appreciated films of all time), the diabetic alcoholic in “A Love Song for Bobby Long,” the epitome of cool in “Get Shorty,” and the Serbian ex-soldier in “Killing Season.”
Travolta’s not afraid to look silly, at least by Hollywood standards. See the schlubby angel in “Michael,” the overweight mother in “Hairspray,” or the balding, chubby FBI agent in “Savages.” How many other top actors around would be willing to look so unattractive on-screen?
Travolta actually seems to enjoy acting. Whether he’s singing “Me and Mrs. Jones” to his gun in “From Paris With Love” (a horrible movie, only worth seeing for Travolta’s over-the-top performance) or riding a Harley and mugging in “Wild Hogs,” he seems like he’s having fun — and that’s contagious. Too many current thespians/critic’s darlings play the same one-note brooder — and look like they’re bored doing it.
Travolta has a relatively good track record when it comes to the box office. When adjusted for ticket price inflation, he would have 17 films that have earned more than $100 million at the North American box office (and three more just barely below that). That compares with 22 for Tom Hanks, 21 for Tom Cruise, 17 for Julia Roberts, 14 for Will Smith, 13 for Brad Pitt, 12 for Matt Damon, 10 for Sandra Bullock, and five for George Clooney. Of course Travolta has made more films than most of the others, which brings me to my final point:
The guy needs to make better movies. He’s the most interesting actor around, but he makes some horrendous choices when it comes to his film projects. He’s interesting in almost every move he makes, but — and let’s only consider the ones he’s done since his “Pulp Fiction” resurgence — for every good movie there’s crap like “Battlefield Earth,” “The Punisher,” “Old Dogs,” and “From Paris With Love.”
So, Mr. Travolta, if you’re reading this, please be more selective in the roles you choose. Get on the phone NOW and contact Scorsese, Spielberg, Tarantino (why weren’t you in “Inglorious Bastards”?), Wes Anderson, David O. Russell, Christopher Nolen, the Coen brothers, and David Fincher and offer to work for scale (or, heck, for free; you’ve got the money) on some of their projects. Don’t be afraid to take on more supporting roles as you did with “Savages.”
You’re one of the most interesting actors around. Now get busy and make some of most interesting movies around.
(And speaking of bad movies saved only by a Travolta performance, “Gotti” is coming soon to iTunes. I’ll have a full review later, but it’s a disappointing flick that features a splendid turn by Travolta.)
