Comments on: And This Is Word For Word: The Theory of Relatability and Rethinking Justin Long’s Face http://therumpus.net/2010/10/and-this-is-word-for-word-the-theory-of-relatability-and-rethinking-justin-long%e2%80%99s-face/ Books, Music, Movies, Art, Politics, Sex, Other Wed, 22 May 2013 10:01:40 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.5.1 By: Steve Bryan http://therumpus.net/2010/10/and-this-is-word-for-word-the-theory-of-relatability-and-rethinking-justin-long%e2%80%99s-face/comment-page-1/#comment-66071 Steve Bryan Sun, 14 Nov 2010 02:06:04 +0000 http://therumpus.net/?p=64888#comment-66071 OK, I am officially mystified. The idea of accepting the possibility that someone who looks like Justin Long might be romantically involved with someone who looks like Drew Barrymore seems to be settled by the fact that the two actual actors are (or were) precisely romantically involved. Q.E.D. I have not viewed the movie so possibly that would clarify what I find so puzzling. But I don’t see how.

]]> By: Erin http://therumpus.net/2010/10/and-this-is-word-for-word-the-theory-of-relatability-and-rethinking-justin-long%e2%80%99s-face/comment-page-1/#comment-65712 Erin Fri, 12 Nov 2010 19:16:43 +0000 http://therumpus.net/?p=64888#comment-65712 While I’m probably not adding anything new to the string of very astute comments here, I think it speaks to the inner makeup of people who share themselves through actions like writing and acting (I try to do both, but neither as well as you, Michelle and Justin)that this little event has left me wrestling with myself for days in an effort not to comment. Both have a difficult and vulnerable job to do, and you both have the guts to do it publicly.

Justin, your grace under fire astounds me nearly as much as your talent and the soft, strking beauty of your ‘milky, half-formed features’ always has – and hell, that over developed ass too – and you can pass that self-same sentiment on to Drew. As with this entire affair, such things are subjective and I’ve always enjoyed the beauty inside-and-out of the two of you and wished you both well.

Michelle, you do a job that isn’t always – in fact is possibly never – easy, and to wield words in a manner that grabs enough to be remembered and quoted is an accomplishment. I don’t have a taste for ‘mean’ but I think it’s a reality of the world the internet operates in today, that I may not be the majority and if such things are Darwinian…you see where I’m going with this. You certainly have ‘honest’ and ‘eloqouent’ down pat. Kudos due to both of you, and to all the intellect drawn out by you, above.

]]> By: Jonathan http://therumpus.net/2010/10/and-this-is-word-for-word-the-theory-of-relatability-and-rethinking-justin-long%e2%80%99s-face/comment-page-1/#comment-63673 Jonathan Fri, 05 Nov 2010 15:16:21 +0000 http://therumpus.net/?p=64888#comment-63673 As poignant as this little sparring session was, and as well as Justin’s response was put together, I still feel like we’re all over-thinking it a little bit. The bottom line is that while Michelle wields a scalpel of a pen, and Justin was beyond gentlemanly in his reply, she was just doing her job, and so was he. I think it speaks to each party’s character that Justin’s response came off as genuine (which I think he is and always has been, not taking himself too seriously), and that Michelle’s conscience literally kept her up at night, reavealing a heart beneath her surgical garb. Michelle writes for her audience, as should every author who expects to make it anywhere. Ergo, the folks who tune in to see what she has to say expect this tone and language in a review. Just my 2 cents.

]]> By: Kendra http://therumpus.net/2010/10/and-this-is-word-for-word-the-theory-of-relatability-and-rethinking-justin-long%e2%80%99s-face/comment-page-1/#comment-63192 Kendra Thu, 04 Nov 2010 01:08:23 +0000 http://therumpus.net/?p=64888#comment-63192 I know I should be more open-minded to this writer but I honestly feel she is so off! Justin Long is an awesome actor. And very,very attractive. I’ve always thought that. Even when I first heard about him and Drew dating I thought they were perfect for eachother. Both of them are beautiful inside and out with exceptional charisma.I think people are drawn to them both. It’s sad to me someone could be so harsh.
I also love his above comment. Very kind and not the kill you with kindness sort of response but very realistic, mature reaction to such a uncouth and crass comment. Which really I hope he knows is so far from the truth. He really is a very realistic actor and good-looking MAN.I would drop my husband in a heartbeat;) I myself can think of 10 actors right now that are considered HOT that I find repulsive. Does that mean I think they should’nt be paired with someone I find personally attractive? Uhhh NO! because there are far more favorable qualities than appearances. Looks fade. But obviously he is well-rounded thoughtful guy that will grow from this experience and be the better man for it.

]]> By: DiEibner http://therumpus.net/2010/10/and-this-is-word-for-word-the-theory-of-relatability-and-rethinking-justin-long%e2%80%99s-face/comment-page-1/#comment-62777 DiEibner Tue, 02 Nov 2010 20:00:20 +0000 http://therumpus.net/?p=64888#comment-62777 I think you both (Justin and Michelle) have made excellent use of this incident. While everyone IS entitled to their opinion, it’s nice to see that there is professional yet entertaining dialogue being communicated. I admit I am a fan of Justin’s so I’m not surprised that he was charmingly articulate in his response (not defense). Sorry, I do have to say though; I have seen Justin in better films. I have never seen him do bad acting – something you can see and feel when the actor is not quite there in character… Justin never fades in and out.
Some of his better films are little gems that are unfortunately not so well known. A film from his earlier years, Raising Genius, and the recent After.Life show some good moments of versatility in his acting. I think he is slowly but surely finding better roles and will not only be able to withstand more slings and arrows but will now be taking further leaps and bounds.

]]> By: derek http://therumpus.net/2010/10/and-this-is-word-for-word-the-theory-of-relatability-and-rethinking-justin-long%e2%80%99s-face/comment-page-1/#comment-62707 derek Tue, 02 Nov 2010 15:56:11 +0000 http://therumpus.net/?p=64888#comment-62707 jeez, i thought justin looked better than drew in that movie. “no homo” as they say. but i’d like to have abs like that.

]]> By: Donna http://therumpus.net/2010/10/and-this-is-word-for-word-the-theory-of-relatability-and-rethinking-justin-long%e2%80%99s-face/comment-page-1/#comment-62568 Donna Tue, 02 Nov 2010 07:17:43 +0000 http://therumpus.net/?p=64888#comment-62568 I don’t know if you’re still reading comments on this article, Justin, but (while I entirely support your POV) I wonder if perhaps you and your very powerful actress/producer girlfriend might consider what you can do to help balance out the situation you describe by developing projects in which it’s the female romantic lead who is fighting above her weight class? And have that difference go unremarked, i.e., not a movie “about a fat chick who…” blah blah blah. There are plenty of actresses only slightly above “Hollywood fat” who are gorgeous, are about the same size as the average American woman, and who date and fuck just the same.

I’m not talking some Mike & Molly type thing (though bless their hearts, I wish them well). I’m talking about a fluffy woman (say 5’5, 170 lbs) with a non-fluffy man (let’s say Jon Hamm – oh wait, that’s my personal fantasy, sorry) like say…you. And Drew could play *her* best friend, for box office drawing power.

Be the change, baby. I have a feeling Drew is sympathetic to this POV. You both seem like good people, and Drew can make things happen. Just at least consider it?

]]> By: Faryn http://therumpus.net/2010/10/and-this-is-word-for-word-the-theory-of-relatability-and-rethinking-justin-long%e2%80%99s-face/comment-page-1/#comment-62555 Faryn Tue, 02 Nov 2010 06:09:22 +0000 http://therumpus.net/?p=64888#comment-62555 That was a commendable reply, Justin. Me thinks the humility in your words has added even more to your charisma.

As for Michelle, I find your take on writing critiques somewhat poignant and enlightening…keep up the good work (“,)

]]> By: Jesus http://therumpus.net/2010/10/and-this-is-word-for-word-the-theory-of-relatability-and-rethinking-justin-long%e2%80%99s-face/comment-page-1/#comment-62532 Jesus Tue, 02 Nov 2010 03:49:22 +0000 http://therumpus.net/?p=64888#comment-62532 Seriously, let’s be realistic. Justin Long is obviously cute in a stocky, little Italian man sort of way, and Drew Barrymore has a face like Eric Stoltz in Mask. Drew Barrymore attractive? Maybe to a plastic surgeon or an anthropologist. If you want to attack someone in this film for looking freakish, your aim is a bit off.

]]> By: Anon http://therumpus.net/2010/10/and-this-is-word-for-word-the-theory-of-relatability-and-rethinking-justin-long%e2%80%99s-face/comment-page-1/#comment-62509 Anon Tue, 02 Nov 2010 01:00:39 +0000 http://therumpus.net/?p=64888#comment-62509 I used to write for a “snarky” TV site. My one rule was never to hate on actors for things they couldn’t (easily) change, like their faces. Or their breasts, or the hairiness of their arms, or their heights.

It’s one thing to criticize the casting and suitability of the actors, and another to detail why you find their faces unattractive. Michelle, you wrote all these long, beautiful paragraphs about what you do, but you never said why you felt the need to criticize a person’s face in such detail. Were you scared that if you didn’t back it up, we wouldn’t accept your opinion as fact? ;)

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