BBC Radio 1 Movie Blog on How “Bel Ami” Benefits Rob’s Career

It's certainly a good move for him to make. I remember reading the book of Bel Ami in my French classes at school and Rob's character, the fame hungry Georges Duroy, is a million miles away from icy Edward Cullen. This is the story of a social climber, a Parisian nobody who works his way up the financial ladder by being the arm-candy of frustrated housewives. It's a great role.

And, of course, it's a role that he needs to be a success to get away from that relentless curse of the franchise star - type-casting. As Zac Efron attempts the same thing - turning down the teen-tastic Footloose in favour of moody drama Charlie St Cloud - both guys face a battle with the media over whether they can be seen outside of their blockbuster bubble. Both, I reckon, have the talent to pull it off.

More importantly, they've also got the looks. Whilst Star Wars leading man Mark Hamill (Luke Skywalker) struggled to find other hit movies it was his decidedly sexier co-star Harrison Ford that hit the big time. Ditto Eilijah Wood and Viggo Mortensen from Lord Of The Rings. The jury's still out on exactly who will break out of the shadow of Harry Potter although maybe R Pattz, as the former Cedric Diggory, has already claimed that prize. With upcoming movies co-starring Hugh Jackman and Rachel Weisz (Unbound
Captives) and Reese Witherspoon and Christoph Waltz (Water For Elephants) he's certainly got the cream of Hollywood on his side, with those projects reeking of awards potential.

Even if they do what Rob's recent pic Remember Me did - ie. disappear without a trace - then I still think that the guy's got the talent (and cheekbones) to do a Johnny Depp and, aged 40, find himself the toast of mainstream Hollywood with a wayout role in some Disney blockbuster. Don't forget, Depp's movies were generally only cult hits until Jack Sparrow came along.

So have another look at these Bel Ami pics and remember this moment. Come 2030, that guy you're looking at now could be starring as a rum-swigging Jack Jnr in Pirates Of The Caribbean 12. Arguably a better career move than Taylor Lautner, recently signed up for Stretch Armstrong, a movie based on a plastic toy. Savvy?

James King
BBC