Robert Downey Jr. vs. Patrick Dempsey: Who Ya Got?
Friday, 02 May 2008
Robert Downey Jr.
Once again, it's a weekend battle of head-to-head stars. In this corner, we have a longtime troubled actor so good that even jail couldn't keep him from having a career, the invincible Iron Man , Robert Downey Jr. And in this corner, we have a man whose career vanished (despite avoiding incarceration) only to return with a vengeance when most people had counted him out, as the newly enchanted Dr. McDreamy, Patrick Dempsey. You know the rules. Let's drop the cage. Two men enter! One man leaves!
In the box office this weekend: Winner = Iron Man
You cannot change the laws of physics. Go head to head with a summer blockbuster superhero film and get creamed. It's like an old lady standing in front of a bus. I don't care how badass an old lady she is, the woman is going to kiss grill. Hard. And so is Made of Honor . Not that Made of Honor won't have a respectable showing. But there's gonna be a BIG drop-off between the number one and number two spot next week.
In the critical arena: Winner = Iron Man
Already this more down-to-earth superhero movie is getting rave reviews. The character of Tony Stark has always been a complicated and intriguing one, as his is the tale of a self-destructive billionaire who develops an altruistic streak, but refuses to give up the self-destructive part. Dempsey's Made of Honor, on the other hand, looks like the male version of My Best Friend's Wedding. In fact, I'm guessing that's how they pitched it. The critics aren't exactly going to go gaga over that. Oh yeah, and there's nothing pretty to gawk at. Unless Made is holding back some incredible surprise, I'm guessing it will be get the "Also opening this week..." treatment.
In their careers: Winner = Iron Man
Downey is indestructible. Booze? Check. Women? Check. Drugs. Double check. Hard drugs? Oh yeah. Prison? You bet. And yet, he is still considered one of the greatest actors of his generation, a troubled artist with some dark demons to draw upon. When he wants to be funny he is instead hilarious; when he wants to be serious he is instead heartbreaking. Dempsey, on the other hand, has always been fluff. Not that he's not good, talented or charismatic. It's just that he does a great job of making the women swoon while making the men shrug. He's likable enough. But while he was making Can't Buy Me Love, Downey was making Less Than Zero. And that fact pretty much nails their entire careers.
In a fight: Winner = Made Man
In truth, any hope of a fight would be squelched by Downey's handler who would jump in and ensure that the studio's investment doesn't get screwed. But Dempsey would get in a solid blow or two, and if he could have a friend distract said handler, might even win the fight. Besides, I actually really like Dempsey. And he should win something this weekend.
Winner = Iron Man
A romantic comedy against a superhero film? Not in this decade.
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