Bruce Willis: some careers die hard

I saw the trailer for the new DIE HARD sequel (the first one where John McClane is now eligible for Medicare) and was excited. The first DIE HARD is still the gold standard for “action hero saving the day against impossible odds” genre. For years, every action movie out of Hollywood was DIE HARD on a ship, DIE HARD in a stadium, DIE HARD in space. DIE HARD in a telephone booth.

But it got me thinking of all the really bad movies Bruce Willis has been in. From his most recent bomb PERFECT STRANGERS to HUDSON HAWK and all the BREAKFAST OF CHAMPIONS and THE KID in between. But then I checked imdb and wow, I was amazed at all the really good movies he’s been in. I’ve always liked his work, from the time I saw him play a slick drug dealer in the first season of MIAMI VICE (so long ago he had hair). But of late I was under the impression that he went from one STORY OF US to another.

But no. His work in PULP FICTION was Oscar worthy. THE SIXTH SENSE was terrific, as was THE JACKAL, SIN CITY, and BLIND DATE. And I’m guessing you have one or two others you’ve liked him in (please don’t say APOCALYPSE or ARMAGEDDON – which is the same movie, isn’t it?)

But there are two really interesting Bruce Willis movie you probably are less familiar with. COLOR OF NIGHT and NOBODY’S FOOL, both from 1994.

COLOR OF NIGHT was directed by the very underrated Richard Rush. It’s a psychological thriller with lots of sex. Best to see the director’s cut on DVD – not for more sex but for the story to make sense. I found I liked the film even better once I understood it.

NOBODY’S FOOL was an adaptation of a Richard Russo novel, directed by Robert Benton. Not only does Bruce do a nice turn but Paul Newman gives one of his finest performances ever. Set in a small Upstate New York town, this slice of life movie received several Oscar nominations yet is mostly forgotten.

The mark of a real movie star is not how many great movies he’s been in but how long he’s managed to endure. And considering all the boxoffice flops, pressure from representatives to take certain projects, fickle audiences, and the constant onslaught of younger, fresher stars coming up, for Bruce Willis to have a very successful feature career for twenty long years means he really is John McClane. DIE HARD in a talent agency.