Hollywood’s Profit-Driven Creativity: Jessica Lange’s Critique of the Industry

In a recent interview with Vulture, actress Jessica Lange criticized the Hollywood film industry for prioritizing profits over creativity. She expressed concern over the practice of shelving films as tax write-offs like Batgirl and Coyote vs. Acme by Warner Bros. Discovery. Lange suggested that such practices should be against the law, noting that the industry has become more corporate-driven, with the artistic impulse often overshadowed by the profit motive.

Lange also pointed out that many of the best films of the past year are not from America, citing examples like Anatomy of a Fall. She emphasized the importance of artistic creativity in filmmaking and highlighted how rare it is to see films leave ambiguity unresolved. Despite Hollywood’s focus on big film franchises, Lange revealed that she has never been asked to be in one, expressing uncertainty about how she would approach such roles if offered.

Reflecting on how technology has changed the film industry, Lange recalled waiting for hours on set for lighting perfected by cinematographers in days gone by, contrasting it with today’s fast-paced digital shooting methods. She expressed gratitude for having worked with filmmakers like Sydney Pollack and Costa-Gavras early in her career and acknowledged that while change is inevitable in the industry, embracing change without dwelling on past practices is key to success.

Overall, Jessica Lange’s comments provide a unique perspective on the challenges facing Hollywood and highlight the need for more emphasis on creativity rather than profits in order to produce truly great films.