number of his films. Clint is a pianist – and he has
unimpressive films like Pink Cadillac and Dirty
written the score for several of his own films. Both
Harry V. Woody was releasing clunkers like Curse of
part of the same generation, they have kept a passion
the Jade Scorpion, some of which did not even merit
for the music of their youth.
a theatrical release. Age was taking its toll on both.
They also share an economical working method,
Clint was too old to play a credible action star, and
that allows them to produce a film every year or so. A
Woody too aged for a romantic lead. They needed to
marked contrast to other notable directors such as
find a new direction to stay relevant. Increasingly,
Stanley Kubrick or Terence Malik, who might
that meant directing rather than acting.
produce a film every decade or so.
A major point of difference between the two is in
Clint found a resurgence with Unforgiven (1992),
winning his first Oscars for Best Picture and Best
writing. Woody writes the scripts of his own movies.
Director. He became one of the few directors to
He has won four Oscars for his screenplays, and been
repeat this feat with Million Dollar Baby. In this last
nominated for his writing more times than any other
phase of his career he has been acknowledged as one
person. His screenplays are published and appreciated
of the great American directors, producing classics
as literary works in their own right. Clint’s main
that can stand alongside the finest of any era. Woody
contribution to the scriptwriting process is to
also achieved a new level of success with his late
eliminate dialogue, paring it down to the minimum
films, with works such as Midnight in Paris and Blue
that suits his laconic style.
Jasmine, winning a Best Actress Oscar for Cate
In their personal lives, they also have much in
common. Their own romantic partners have often
Blanchett in 2014.
Remarkably, Clint being in his 80’s and Woody
appeared as long-standing co-stars in their films. For
in his 70’s, both men have reached a new high point
Woody, his first muse was Diane Keaton, appearing
in their careers, and continue to work with
in many of his earlier films. This role was later
undiminished energy.
assumed by Mia Farrow. Clint had a similar personal
The question this leaves for us, is whether these
and professional relationship with Sondra Locke, who
extraordinary careers could take place in today’s film
first appeared with him in The Outlaw Josey Wales.
industry – whether their distinctive talents would be
Both of these relationships were doomed to end in
recognised and nurtured through the long period of
great acrimony – in a way that was very public and
development to reach their creative potential, and
very damaging, with drawn-out legal battles that
sustained through troughs in commercial success to
continued to flare up for years afterwards.
achieve a similar longevity. Considering the nature of
These personal struggles also marked a period of
the current industry, with its reliance on big-budget
decline for both filmmakers. Late in their careers,
blockbusters and endless comic-book s uperheroes, it
after reaching the heights of success, they faced
would have to be doubtful.
waning popularity and critical neglect. Along with
more ambitious projects, Clint was grinding out
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