Discovering Franco

     I recently came across a brilliant piece of work by New York Magazine. One of the writers, Sam Anderson, wrote an intriguing, complex profile of actor James Franco. Franco is known for the insanely good looks that led him to be the face of Gucci's most recent ad campaign as well as his roles in films such as "Spiderman" and "Pineapple Express" (shout out to all my fellow "Freaks and Geeks" lovers!). In 2008, Franco impressed the world when he decided to attend graduate school at NYU, but that quickly diminshed when a risible picture of him asleep in a lecture class began circulating the internet. The world let out a big scoff, followed by arrogant cries of, "I knew it." Franco, they assumed, got a free pass because of his looks and his name. They shook their heads and brushed him off as a burnout, much like his "Freaks and Geeks" character, Daniel Desario.

     In this profile, Franco acknowledges constantly being compared to the characters he has played. From being called a homosexual for his roles in films such as "Milk" and "Howl" to being called a pothead because of his roles in "Freaks and Geeks" and "Pineapple Express", Franco is consistently misunderstood and perpetually mysterious.

     But what the world doesn't know about him is that the picture of him sleeping was not, in fact, in one of his classes, but a lecture he wanted to sit in on after an entire day of classes and work because he wanted to hear the speaker.

     Classmates, professors, and friends alike insist that Franco is one of the most hardworking people. Currently, the Renaissance man is enrolled in three different colleges, bouncing around New York just to make all of his classes, flying around the world to continue his acting, and taking on several other projects. And, much to the surprise of the world, he does not smoke, drink, or do drugs.

     In fact, he could not even possibly find the time to do so. Franco appears to be, in the most bizarre way, a kind of Superman who can take on many things at once with extreme focus. And a man who is proudly heterosexual, but not afraid to be called a homosexual and pose connfidently for the cover of Out magazine. Franco has gone from being just a pretty face to being taken seriously as an actor, scholar, and all-around artist.

   From the most mystifying gestures (see, in profile: The Wink) to the violent and obscene art show he participates in, and even the sad, sweet, humorous reaction four-year-old Franco had upon hearing about the death of a family friend, Anderson exposes Franco boldly while never really being able to solve the mystery. Nevertheless, it's a fascinating read (albeit an 8-page one), and serves as a magnificent example of what a profile should be to all aspiring journalists......and Franco lovers. =)


(Photo Courtesy of Ann.)