Saw the latest Jack Reacher film yesterday. Nice that once again they didn't resort to a Central Romance Plot, but there was still heavy flirtation between Cruise (54) and Cobie Smulders, who at 34 is a cool twenty years younger than Mr Scientology. Rosamund Pike, who was the female interest in the first instalment, is 37. It's 2016 for goodness sake. When will Hollywood allow men in their fifties and sixties to act opposite women of the same age? It's not only deeply sexist, it's now... well... boring and dated and just plain silly.
Liam Neeson, now 64, planting his wrinkly lips on women in their thirties just makes me squirm. Is it just me? The odd role would be fair enough, representative even, cuz obviously there are relationships out in the world with big age gaps, some of which, dear Hollywood, include older woman with younger men, a concept Hollywood is obviously still very uncomfortable with. However, these old geezers are all at it with women sometimes half their age in almost every role and it's pervasive.
These box-office 'stars' are powerful men within the film industry, Reeves, Cruise, Neeson and the rest could think, hey, I'm the bankable lead in this film (and sometimes also the producer), so let's stop this charade, stop making me look like an awld perv and cast me opposite one of the many great actresses in my age range please! Robin Wright (50), Sarah Jessica Parker (51), Sandra Bullock (52), Demi Moore (53), Julianne Moore (55), Emma Thompson (56), Sharon Stone (58), Michelle Pfeiffer (58), Geena Davis (60), Meryl Streep (67), Sigourney Weaver (67), Susan Sarandon (70) to name but a few. But... they don't. They perpetuate the sexism by playing this old-fashioned Hollywood game, when really, they could break the cycle with the waft of a hand. I'm losing respect for these guys and the choices they're making. Hollywood doesn't force these powerful men into these roles anymore... they CHOOSE them and they have power. It's about time they started wielding it for more than just their own wallets. Get on it guys, remember what century we're in.
Found an old Guardian article on this very subject: https://www.theguardian.com/film/filmblog/2015/may/21/hollywoods-love-affair-with-old-dudes-romancing-young-women It's worth a read.
And another from Vulture: http://www.vulture.com/2013/04/leading-men-age-but-their-love-interests-dont.html