Another shallow qualm many have with foreign films is that the actors are difficult to distinguish, the classic problem of people of another ethnic background blending together. It’s an uncomfortable truth to face, and one that I understand is fairly universal across the racial spectrum. Yes, white people, we all look the same to much of the world’s population.
What’s more important can be the effectiveness of utilizing the recognizability of stars, and it’s a tool Hollywood has used since the star system was first established. Marketing a movie based on its star power is one thing, but there is also an undeniable connection made between a movie and its audience based on the previously established relationship between viewers and performers who have been observed in previous films. There is an inherent bias towards people that seem familiar when it comes to sympathizing with characters, and it’s not unfair for a movie to use this to its advantage (or, oftentimes, the opposite is used to great effect—a movie exploiting an actor’s obscurity).
Using the Oldboy example, even a star like Josh Brolin warrants a certain base level of interest simply for his Josh Brolin-ness, and that can help make the story more accessible to more people.
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