Mara Wilson who is best known for her appearances in the films, 'Mrs. Doubtfire', 'Matilda', 'Miracle on 34th Street', and 'Thomas & the Magic Railroad' has revealed why she quit film acting. She claims that, "Film acting is not very fun."
It also had to do with the the beauty standard for today's big screen is too contentious for her, and the talent pool is impressive:
"I think that there are many much more talented, much more conventionally attractive actresses out there who are taking the roles I would have been offered. To paraphrase the showtune, anything I can do, Anna Kendrick or Ellen Page or Jennifer Lawrence (or any actress from the plethora of actresses waiting to be "discovered") can do better."
She then addressed the continued enthusiasm her fans have, many of whom ask her to return to film. She compares her early success to finger painting:
"It's flattering, but you haven't finger-painted in years, and it seems like something you did a long, long time ago. You've realized you don't particularly enjoy getting your hands dirty and that there are other outlets for your creative urges. But people are adamant: are you going to finger-paint again? When? Wait, you're not? Why not?... That's what it feels like."
She still occasionally does theater productions and voice work. Then she finally said, "...no, you will not ever see me on 'Dancing With The Stars.' Sorry."
"I think that there are many much more talented, much more conventionally attractive actresses out there who are taking the roles I would have been offered."
I can absolutely see how her blog could come across as self-pitying, and it's a shame, because Mara isn't one for self pity. She's a tough girl who lost her mother while shooting a film, and later became an adolescent who was no longer marketable in the industry she had grown up in. I think she is still coming to terms with these things, and she uses dry self-deprecation as a means of dealing.
I think the sentence points out that roles she might be eligible or possibly considered for would go to far more talented actresses who enjoy what they are doing with more conventional beauty. She would have to fight for roles and when she did get something, should would feel like someone else would be more deserving. I think it's pretty honest. I thought she was a horrible child actress, but it's a comfort that she sees it for what it is. There are far too many Tatum O'Neils in Hollywood who still think they can act, when in truth, they were just cute kids.
I understand that Mara may not have wanted to play the Hollywood game, but Elisabeth Moss is proof that an actress who is not Hollywood beautiful can successfully transition from child actor to adult actor.
Remember when Elizabeth Moss was burned all over her body? All she could get was that small role in GIRL, INTERRUPTED? That's whyI was really happy when she had her burns removed so she can do more movies and tv specials now.
In the first few lines I have learned that her mother, rather than put the needs of her sick child (and every kid in her son's 4th grade class) first, took a kid with a fever to school and had her lay at the back of the room while she read to the class. Class act.
joined:6/28/07
Posted: 4/17/12 at 07:27pm