Catch a Falling Star...

The Los Angeles Times featured an article a few weeks ago that pondered the state of stardom in contemporary Hollywood, asking "Who killed the movie stars?" The short answer:

Conversations with dozens of Hollywood insiders result in a forest of pointed fingers. Certainly, the entertainment media are blamed for their obsession with tearing down talent as fast as it blooms, but so is the death of the midlevel movie, the dismantling of the studio system, competition from television and the Internet, the enormous paydays with their just as enormous expectations, not to mention the sometimes questionable behavior and talent of the young stars themselves.

The article made no mention of Harrison Ford, who used to be one of the most bankable and respected stars in Hollywood. During the Eighties, he took creative risks on projects like Blade Runner and The Mosquito Coast, which other actors at the top of their earning power probably wouldn't have done. While the former has become a cult classic, perceived missteps like TMC and genuine ones like Regarding Henry did little to tarnish the Ford luster.

Oh, how the mighty have fallen. Since 1997's Air Force One, Ford has not had a bona fide hit, much less appeared in a good film (though K-19 was passable).

Today, his latest moribund effort, Firewall, hits multiplexes. Surely it will do better than the gawdawful Hollywood Homicide, which I regrettably plunked down money to see. With the success of Jodie Foster's thriller vehicles Panic Room and Flight Plan -- neither of which I really enjoyed -- success is to be had for aging stars given the right creative mix and marketing.

Should Firewall tank, the future doesn't look very bright for Mr. Ford, notwithstanding a major career overhaul. How about a return to Jack Ryan? Lord knows that Ben Affleck, et al. may have killed the series permanently. And Tom Clancy was never happy with Ford in the role of the CIA operative turned White House occupant. So that is unlikely.

With his career languishing for almost a decade, one has to ask: will Indiana Jones IV be Harrison Ford's swan song? Perhaps... if it ever gets made.

I guess he really doesn't need more Hollywood success, given his apparent domestic bliss with Calista and the kids. But his tortured, dwindling fan base -- myself included -- wishes otherwise.