MovieChat Forums > Eyes Wide Shut (1999) Discussion > Why did Kubrick hire Sydney Pollack?? Hi...

Why did Kubrick hire Sydney Pollack?? His acting is awful!!!!

posted 8 years ago by Collector-Man
44 replies | jump to latest

Sydney Pollack was probably a friend of Kubrick's but seeing as Kubrick is such a perfectionist director it surprises me he would hire such an awful actor.

[–] silver_snail14 8 years ago

Because Harvey Keitel was originally cast in the role of Ziegler but dropped out early on, so Kubrick had to scramble to find a replacement with filming already underway. It was probably easier to get someone he knew to do it than to have to go through the hassle of auditioning new actors. I think Pollack did a fine job personally.

You who wish to conquer pain, you must learn to serve me well.

[–] DepheatingRub 8 years ago

In numerous viewings since 1999 I've never had a problem with him. Guess me and Kubrick have a fondness for awful acting in common.

[–] Collector-Man 8 years ago

Its just the delivery of his lines. You know that horrible unnatural way people try to say lines, right? Eg. "That prick piano player"

[–] Barbed_Wire_Strawberry 8 years ago

Suffice to say he was considering Woody Allen at one point. So the Jewish thing was a consideration...someone pointed out that the location of Zeigler's mansion was the (former?) Polish embassy in NY. Also, Pollack was a director, and had worked with Cruise before. A major theme of Zeigler is control. Influence.

Buy The Ticket, Take The Ride

[–] DepheatingRub 8 years ago

I don't quite grasp your criticism. I'm sure you'e not saying all characters should sound the same, but... what are you saying then?

[–] GuyNCognito 7 years ago

What makes it horrible? If you can't identify it, then there's nothing to complain about and you're just blowing hot air to do so.

Grant discovered raptor eggs in Jurassic Park

[–] lisa451-20-772162 8 years ago

Nicole and Tom are pretty bad also.

[–] Prismark10 8 years ago

Pollack started out as an actor and made himself quite a name by making little cameo appearances and he was rather good here.

It's that man again!!

[–] Barbed_Wire_Strawberry 8 years ago

I think a more interesting question is what do Pollack and Keitel have in common that Kubrick wanted for the character?

Buy The Ticket, Take The Ride

[–] keyser_soze_smokes 8 years ago

Manfulness.

(\___/)This is Bunny! Put him on your
(='.'=)signature to help him gain
(")_(")world domination

[–] McQueen1980 8 years ago

I actually thought Pollock was the best actor in this movie

the billiards scene proves that....he brought a great level of intrigue

[–] dk17111 8 years ago

i didn't have a problem with pollack...same kinda role as in the player...not that he has the chops to be an actor only.

[–] [deleted] 5 years ago

I agree, Pollack was outstanding in his menacing address to Bill

[–] coolbrett 8 years ago

I think under normal circumstances, he would be a terrible actor. But in this movie he got away with that style of acting cos the whole movie had that same style of acting. It just fit well with the story and under Kubrick's direction, but I can't explain why lol.

[–] bpollen 8 years ago

I thought he was good. He IS an actor, you know. He's been in other movies. It's not like the part was big.

[–] spaceman88 8 years ago

Seriously? Just watched the movie for the first time, his performance outshines everyone else in the entire film. In my opinion.

[–] klondike99 8 years ago

I agree with his effective performance. A slimy tactile regalness qulity to it. As if he could represent any of the average billionaire elites that rule the world.