Michael Douglas recently praised Oliver Stone’s unconventional direction during the filming of “Wall Street,” which contributed to his Oscar-winning performance. At the TCM Classic Film Festival, Douglas recounted an intense moment with Stone that has since become a notable anecdote in Hollywood.
Oliver Stone’s Challenging Direction
During the early days of filming in 1986, Stone approached Douglas in his trailer. He asked, “Are you doing drugs?” Douglas was bewildered, responding, “No.” Stone followed up with a piercing comment, saying, “Because you look like you’ve never acted before in your life.” This blunt critique left a mark on Douglas.
Aware of Douglas’ hesitance to view the dailies, Stone encouraged him to do so. Although initially reluctant, Douglas examined the footage critically. To his surprise, he found his performance satisfactory, prompting Stone to agree, “Yeah, it is, isn’t it?”
A Unique Technique for Performance
Douglas realized that Stone’s methods were designed to provoke a stronger performance. He noted that Stone was willing to risk their working relationship for the sake of authenticity, saying, “He was willing for me to hate his guts for the rest of this movie to get that extra little push.” This approach stemmed from Stone’s high expectations, influenced by his own experiences, including those from the Vietnam War.
A Lasting Impact
Nearly four decades later, Douglas looks back at this interaction with a sense of appreciation rather than resentment. His portrayal of Gordon Gekko in “Wall Street” remains iconic, earning him the Best Actor award at the Oscars. Douglas’ reflection on Stone’s critique underscores the challenges actors face in their pursuit of excellence and the sometimes-unorthodox methods directors use to elicit top performances.
Key Takeaways
- Director: Oliver Stone
- Actor: Michael Douglas
- Film: Wall Street
- Award: Best Actor Oscar
- Year of Release: 1987
Douglas’ experience with Stone serves as a reminder of the intense dynamics that can exist between actors and directors, illustrating the lengths to which some will go to achieve authentic performances in cinema.
