just to cut it off at the pass: I know the first image isn't from american gigolo. I included it in the essay because it's further evidence of Gere's comfort with that kind of self-regard - the piece isn't just about american Gigolo, it's about Gere in general. Substack pulled it in to the promo because it's the first image in the piece. Carry on!
Wonderful piece, Sheila. You really capture what’s so captivating—yet so impenetrable—about Gere. (Does Affleck have this quality, or is he merely a pretender to the throne?) I’m writing about a narcissist now, so for me this is fun, useful, and timely. Thanks!
hmmm interesting. I think, no, in re: Affleck. Affleck isn't a sex symbol - and he isn't activated sexually. (I don't mean him as a real man in life, where presumably he is, but as a persona on screen). BA has always struck me as very shy, sexually. any time he has to have a romance onscreen, he seems uncomfortable - and if his discomfort is PART of the character (I'd put Gone Girl in that category - because the guy is discombobulated and not at all in control) then it really works! not all men are confident in their sexiness. Men have as much variety as women do in terms of their relationship to themselves as sexual beings. Gere is the opposite of shy. He's not as mysteriously impenetrable as Alain Delon - no one is - but there's this ... self-possession self-absorption thing that comes naturally to him - maybe because he was like the most gorgeous person who ever lived in the late 70s, early 80s, and if you look like that your relationship to your "self" will be very different from regular people. It's like if you're that beautiful you are FORCED to have a "public self". I don't know. It's interesting to think about!! thank you for reading! curious to hear more about your piece!
Wow… would love to send you a private note about it. Will try to do so within the next few days. Yes, think you’re right about Affleck. He’s “at sea” when it comes to sex/love.
yeah and his "at sea"-ness is interesting! - it feels very real. a lot of men are like that! not everyone is some confident sexual dynamo, lol. when BA was suddenly doing romantic leads for about 5 years after Good will hunting - it didn't really fit him. he looked so uncomfortable! so thankfully he grew out of it. he does have a wall up - which can be interesting in the right kind of material, I think. sure, send me a note - would love to hear!
just to cut it off at the pass: I know the first image isn't from american gigolo. I included it in the essay because it's further evidence of Gere's comfort with that kind of self-regard - the piece isn't just about american Gigolo, it's about Gere in general. Substack pulled it in to the promo because it's the first image in the piece. Carry on!
Wonderful piece, Sheila. You really capture what’s so captivating—yet so impenetrable—about Gere. (Does Affleck have this quality, or is he merely a pretender to the throne?) I’m writing about a narcissist now, so for me this is fun, useful, and timely. Thanks!
hmmm interesting. I think, no, in re: Affleck. Affleck isn't a sex symbol - and he isn't activated sexually. (I don't mean him as a real man in life, where presumably he is, but as a persona on screen). BA has always struck me as very shy, sexually. any time he has to have a romance onscreen, he seems uncomfortable - and if his discomfort is PART of the character (I'd put Gone Girl in that category - because the guy is discombobulated and not at all in control) then it really works! not all men are confident in their sexiness. Men have as much variety as women do in terms of their relationship to themselves as sexual beings. Gere is the opposite of shy. He's not as mysteriously impenetrable as Alain Delon - no one is - but there's this ... self-possession self-absorption thing that comes naturally to him - maybe because he was like the most gorgeous person who ever lived in the late 70s, early 80s, and if you look like that your relationship to your "self" will be very different from regular people. It's like if you're that beautiful you are FORCED to have a "public self". I don't know. It's interesting to think about!! thank you for reading! curious to hear more about your piece!
Wow… would love to send you a private note about it. Will try to do so within the next few days. Yes, think you’re right about Affleck. He’s “at sea” when it comes to sex/love.
yeah and his "at sea"-ness is interesting! - it feels very real. a lot of men are like that! not everyone is some confident sexual dynamo, lol. when BA was suddenly doing romantic leads for about 5 years after Good will hunting - it didn't really fit him. he looked so uncomfortable! so thankfully he grew out of it. he does have a wall up - which can be interesting in the right kind of material, I think. sure, send me a note - would love to hear!
the best!
thank you Marya!!