Ryan Gosling's directorial debut fell flat on its face at Cannes this past week but thankfully these thesps had better luck with their filmmaking firsts.
How many times have we heard actors pull out that old line about how they love acting, but what they really want to do is direct? It seems like an inevitable progression for a lot of actors, borne either out of a desire to exert greater creative control over the process, or simply as a way to maintain active in the industry after their looks aren't enough to sell tickets anymore. Regardless, it's a very common goal in Hollywood to finally be in the position of running an entire film. But is every actor cut out for that role? After Ryan Gosling, an actor who seems determined to try his hand at everything, was met with a less than enthusiastic response to his directorial debut Lost River at the Cannes Film Festival, it became easy to see that even for good actors it isn't always an easy road to work behind the camera. But then there are some actors that seem to transition seamlessly into a directorial role, and really find a niche for themselves right off the bat. Some, we dare say, are better at directing than they ever were at acting.
10. Robert Redford - Ordinary People
Despite Robert Redford's status as one of America's most beloved actors, he's never actually won an Oscar for his performances. In fact, his first and only competitive Oscar came in 1981, when he directed Ordinary People. That's how good his film debut was. Since then, he's gone on to a celebrated behind the scenes career, directing films such as A River Runs Through It, Quiz Show, The Horse Whisperer, and The Legend of Baggar Vance. His efforts behind the camera prove once and for all that Robert Redford is incredibly talented at three things (at least): looking gorgeous, acting, and coaxing great performances out of his stars. His directorial debut Ordinary People was not only acknowledged for his filmmaking, but won a Best Actor Oscar for Timothy Hutton as well as two nominations for Mary Tyler Moore and Judd Hirsch (Best Actress and Best Supporting Actor, respectively). His films all feature more than a touch of sentimentality, but he has a real artist's eye for storytelling that keeps them from veering too far into the world of melodrama.
Audrey Fox is an ex-film student, which means that she prefers to spend her days in the dark, watching movies and pondering the director's use of diegetic sound. She currently works as an entertainment writer, joyfully rambling about all things film and television related. Add her on Twitter at @audonamission and check out her film blog at 1001moviesandbeyond.com.
