Motel Musings: Lindsay As Linda Lovelace

It was May, before she went to Cannes, before she lost her passport, before she went all Eleanor Parker and was shut in the slammer. Of course, her incarceration wasn't as bad as Caged. But it certainly wasn't any fun for the freckled one.

In a dumpy Burbank motel, the woman I've defended too many times to count, a woman who's endured more than her share of gossip, family drama, personal demons and quite literally, mean girls, sat down with me to discuss her role in the upcoming movie Inferno: A Linda Lovelace Story.

Of course I'm talking about Lindsay Lohan, a talented actress I root for, and an actress who should be judged for that -- her acting.  I don't care what so-and-so movie writer from whatever newspaper or Web site feels about Lindsay's partying or sexy lifestyle (there's a strong strain of misogyny in this kind of critique), the real question is, can she act? And if so-and-so movie critic doesn't think she can act, then I can only wonder whether he or she is judging the actress for her off-screen behavior. That's a shame. If critics assessed Jack Nicholson for his off-screen behavior, he might not have the Oscars he so richly deserves. And I won't get started on legends like Warren Beatty, Richard Burton, Peter O'Toole and the late, great Oliver Reed. And then there's younger names, like...Colin Farrell.

I revere these men for their work and for their legend. But these are movie stars. Take off your sanctimonious, hypocritical Hedda Hopper hats for a moment and think about it -- since when are movie stars role models? How boring Hollywood would be if stars had absolutely no scandal in their lives. How boring life would be if anyone didn't dip into a pool of scandal every once in a while. God bless you sinners! Lindsay's antics aren't anything new -- actors have often been wild, especially young ones. "It" girl Clara Bow (whom Lindsay adores), was for a time, shunned from "decent" Hollywood society because of her supposedly "crazy" behavior. Still, she didn't have TMZ filming her every move.

And with Lindsay on board, even in the middle of the night No-Tel, Motel, paparazzi showed up -- in the Parking Lot.  We were all amused by their desperation. And Lindsay handled it in stride. She's used to it. Thoughtful, funny and good, Lohan depicted her shoot, which were essentially, stills from the movie (written and to be directed by Matthew Wilder), with impressive, shifting emotions, gritty strength and intense poignancy. As photographer Tyler Shields snapped the dramatic pictures, based on an especially sad moment in  Lovelace's life, it was fascinating to watch her go in and out of character.

When it was all done, Lindsay sat on the bed with me while I asked questions (and here, simply listened, like a therapist), and she talked quite easily about the sadomasochist relationship of Lovelace and Chuck Traynor, at one point saying the script reminded her of her parents. Yes. She has been through some things.

Comments

[Film Production]

We create patterns in our lives, and we repeat the familiar ones.

Once you recognize that, I don't know if it's good idea to repeat them all.

Some of them are really bad, really destructive. You should walk around those.

[Jeremy Richey]

This was great to read and watch Kim...Thank you. She's incredibly talented (I absolutely adore her work in Freaky Friday, Mean Girls and the Altman film) and I was thrilled when I had heard she had gotten the Lovelace role. Inferno is one of my most anticipated films of the upcoming year or so and I can't wait to see her performance in it...thanks again for this piece. It was really nice to read something about her talent rather than the nasty gossip that is always printed.

[Mythical Monkey]

Appropriate you should mention Clara Bow. I wrote about her a year or so ago and realized to what degree the current, casual perception of her is defined by mostly-false tabloids stories written nearly eighty years ago. The conventional wisdom is that today's tabloids line tomorrow's bird cage, but the fact is that our momentary giggle at someone else's expense does lasting damage.

Lindsay Lohan is a talented actress (The Parent Trap, Freaky Friday, Mean Girls, etc.) and I hope she can weather this years-long storm and re-emerge with the career she deserves.

[NinjaRuss]

I agree with a lot of your points. Scandal is fun. We need movie stars who live over the top. And as a guy who defended Mickey Rourke all through that wilderness known as the '90's, I agree that actors shouldn't be judged for your drunken and ego fueled mistakes. Although that can take a turn to conflicted feelings depending on the severity of the mistake (let's not talk Polanski or Allen or even Gibson). Lohan isn't in that category yet. But while I've never sat on a bed and talked to Lindsay about her career, I do think one thing separates her from those actor bad boys you mentioned. It's quite clear that the work isn't her first priority. Say what you will about Colin. I have. But the moment he had a chance, he worked with every great director he could. He's in a Malick film, for (Days of) Heaven's sake. And despite the oceans of booze or mountains of coke Nicholson or Burton sucked up, they were in some iconic films DURING their hardest partying phases. Lindsay was in Mean Girls and an Altman film. But her utter indifference to her career is painfully obvious by her actions. Despite whatever she says. Linda Lovelace is an interesting role, though the quality of the screenplay remains to be seen. As for Lohan, I'm done rooting for her.

[Michael O'Keefe]

Kim: I share your admiration of Ms. Lohan's talent and the need to judge her by that and that alone. She's terribly gifted and I hope this film gives her a chance to demonstrate that. Michael O'Keefe

[Rob]

This is so thoughtfully written, Ms. Morgan. I admired Lohan for the longest time, even after the scandals started piling up, but I have to agree with the commentator who noted that Lindsay's first priority isn't her career, and really, isn't that what should be the priority for her? If she were delivering with her performances, the tabloid BS wouldn't matter a bit. I have a mad love for Joan Crawford and Lana Turner, both of whom knew their share of drama and headlines, but those ladies were pro's for the most part, no matter what was going on in their lives.
I feel like Ms. Lohan's gotten hooked on the attention and drama, but without her terrific performances (which she certainly is capable of), she just seems like a Paris Hilton type to me at this point. Thanks for this appraisal, it made me think about her again. And I am looking forward to Machete!

[Beck]

Dear M Monkey I'm thinking the same thing til I found out that Miss Lohan was working with Robert Rodriguez and Tarantino on Machete then throw Robert De Niro to the mix.
"SOLD" in RR's word.

[B.]

I heart LiLo, and I like that you defend her... All people in the limelight have an unfair shake when it comes to their personal life. Half of the people who put her down would be devastated if the public found out about even a slice of their personal lives. She is beautiful, real, and talented.... Kudos to you for fighting the good fight.

[Kevin A.]

What a cool sit-down that was! And you make such astute points about how there is almost a gender-bias wherein women-starlets are held to the flame for behaviors deemed so unbecoming but that, were they male, would somehow be, if not acceptable, at least expected of them...

Lindsay Lohan is a good actress. She has shown that. And she is beautiful. I do hope that, if the media and culture vultures are correct in saying that she needs help, she in fact does get it and soon... It would be such a waste to see her talent squandered on her becoming the next Anna Nicole Smith.

You did her a solid by showing her respect.

Thanx for sharing!