Today we revisit the first installment of Friday Film-O-Rama, and deconstruct the stellar career of Sean Penn. He burst onto the scene in 1982 as Jeff Spicoli in Fast Times at Ridgemont High and his portrayal of the ultimate California surfer-stoner dude became a part of our pop culture lexicon, and remains so to this day. We'll look at pivotal moments in Penn's career, at what he's got coming out soon, and finally, we'll wrap up this Penn Retrospective with a list of DVDs for you to go out and rent to complete your Pennucation.
Spicoli may be Penn's first breakout role but it also signaled the beginning of a Penn mythology - his complete transformation from character to character. In 1981, Penn played the role of Cadet Alex Dwyer in Taps. His character was a military school student involved in a movement to stop his school from being torn down to build condos. Can you imagine Spicoli being so motivated? This was just the first of many transformations this versatile actor has made in his career.
In fact directly after doing the Military school cadet to Spicoli transformation, Penn again did an about face, playing Mick O'Brien in Bad Boys. Mick's character is in prison for murder, albeit accidental murder. Penn played this role with such a perfect intensity that you could really believe he was Mick O'Brien, murderer.
This three film 1981 to 1983 period in Penn's early career set a mark for him to follow for years after. He sought out roles that were challenging, characters with depth, often, as in the case of Spicoli, hidden depth; and roles that were diversely different. He went from being a military school cadet to Spicoli to a murderer. And his commitment to each character was absolute.
In the mid-80s Penn had a famous penchant for getting punchy with the paparazzi that stalked him and then wife Madonna. This bad boy image would stick with him for eons, long after he'd settled down with Robin Wright Penn and channeled his anger towards political activism.
From 1986 to 1989 Penn again took on a three-film character arc that showcased his talent and his agility with dark subject matters.
Spicoli may be Penn's first breakout role but it also signaled the beginning of a Penn mythology - his complete transformation from character to character. In 1981, Penn played the role of Cadet Alex Dwyer in Taps. His character was a military school student involved in a movement to stop his school from being torn down to build condos. Can you imagine Spicoli being so motivated? This was just the first of many transformations this versatile actor has made in his career.
In fact directly after doing the Military school cadet to Spicoli transformation, Penn again did an about face, playing Mick O'Brien in Bad Boys. Mick's character is in prison for murder, albeit accidental murder. Penn played this role with such a perfect intensity that you could really believe he was Mick O'Brien, murderer.
This three film 1981 to 1983 period in Penn's early career set a mark for him to follow for years after. He sought out roles that were challenging, characters with depth, often, as in the case of Spicoli, hidden depth; and roles that were diversely different. He went from being a military school cadet to Spicoli to a murderer. And his commitment to each character was absolute.
In the mid-80s Penn had a famous penchant for getting punchy with the paparazzi that stalked him and then wife Madonna. This bad boy image would stick with him for eons, long after he'd settled down with Robin Wright Penn and channeled his anger towards political activism.
From 1986 to 1989 Penn again took on a three-film character arc that showcased his talent and his agility with dark subject matters.
NOW SHOWING
A-List Actresses
A-List Actors
|
|