OWEN WILSON

by Nate Lee

THE REAL O:

Wedding Crashers ...

Not only does it mirror his obvious gift with women, it shows the sensitive side that separates him from the Frat Pack and the cool side that makes him more fun (if not funny) to watch. Owen is the Dean Martin of this pack.

GREAT PERFORMANCES YOU MAY NOT HAVE SEEN:

Zoolander (Stiller’s “model” friend)

Around the World in 80 Days (cameo with Luke Wilson as the Wright Brothers)

Behind Enemy Lines (the war semi-hero)

THE TEXAN:

Shanghai Noon

Shanghai Knights

Night at the Museum

Bottle Rocket (sort of)

BEST FILMS:

Wedding Crashers

The Royal Tenenbaums

Cars

Meet the Parents

Meet the Fockers

You, Me and Dupree

BLOCKBUSTERS:

Armageddon (a crazy reluctant hero)

Shanghai Noon (ditto)

AN UNLIKELY WRITER:

The Royal Tenenbaums (Oscar-nominated screenplay)

Rushmore

Bottle Rocket

ACTING STYLE:

Though he sometimes delves into the absurd self-parody of his fellow Frat Packers Ben Stiller and Will Ferrell, Owen Wilson just can’t hide the smart, charming, romantic, extremely positive leading man (but still funny) side of himself.

So, he may not get the broad laughs they get, but he connects with his audience. We like him enough to stick with him while he’s being a jerk. We root for him and wait for his big speech – which he pulls off like a young, (even more) nasally Jimmy Stewart.

And, he’s a great writer!

BITS AND QUIRKS:

The huge grin. Sometimes somehow he closes half his mouth or talks out of the side of it. The stoop. The funny cowboy walk. The high nasal threat when he’s really serious.

GREAT SCENES:

WEDDING CRASHERS - This is one great scene after another. > Being seduced by Jane Seymour > Playing the “wedding gift psychic” for Rachel McAdams > The big love speech at the end interrupting Vince Vaughn’s wedding > The “Shout” montage showing how much they love weddings and how much they love women.

YOU, ME AND DUPREE - Caught by Kate Hudson “wailing on himself” > Catching the house on fire with his candles > Interrupting the newlyweds to use their bathroom.

SHANGHAI NOON - Playing drinking games in the tub with Jackie Chan

THE CABLE GUY - Getting beaten up in the bathroom by Jim Carrey.

STARSKY AND HUTCH - Playing the guitar and singing “Don’t Give Up on Us, Baby.”

ZOOLANDER - “Saving the day” and then busting the computer at the fashion show at the end > His deejay fight.

IF YOU LIKE HIM, YOU PROBABLY DIDN’T LIKE:

The Haunting

Breakfast of Champions

The Life Aquatic of Steve Zissou

The Big Bounce

GO TO THE... OWEN WILSON BIO