Only important, unassailable figures like Eastwood and potentially Hanks and Spielberg could attempt such a "bi-focal" approach. Spielberg took this approach toward the Palestinian and Israeli sides of the Middle East conflict in "Munich," for which he was roundly criticized. But the massive (costing $200+ million) HBO series does not attempt such an ambitious, humanist effort. According to Brian Lowery in Variety, "only a passing effort is made to locate humanity in the Japanese."
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Like many talented, successful feature actors (think Tom Cruise and George Clooney), Hanks avoids serious arguments and relies instead on a quick smile and breezy attitude. He keeps his public appearances light, with a kind of forced frivolity appropriate for, well, a light comedy actor. No one wants to hear Hanks wax philosophical, which he is smart enough to realize.
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Naturally, one wonders about the real Tom Hanks. Although he has a fabled Hollywood marriage (to Rita Wilson), it is his second - the first, lasting ten years, also produced two children. That's fine, but complicating, like Hanks' own upbringing, which he describes as "fractured." He was brought up by a series of stepfamilies.
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Hanks' off-screen quotes suggest a fascinating, complex human being; albeit one as yet incapable of producing films that portray such complex emotions.
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"My wife keeps on telling me my worst fault is that I keep things to myself and appear relaxed. But I am really in a room in my own head and not hearing a thing anyone is saying."
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"Some people go to bed at night thinking, 'That was a good day.' I am one of those who worries and asks, 'How did I screw up today?'"
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"My favorite traditional Christmas movie that I like to watch is 'All Quiet on the Western Front.' It's just not December without that movie in my house."
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A man driven is Tom Hanks. Why, he doesn't even watch "It's A Wonderful Life," and "A Christmas Carol" over the holidays, like the rest of us.
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