Yes, Oz the Great and Powerful, and James Franco’s performance in it, really left a bad taste in my mouth, and this was despite the fact I was eating cotton candy throughout, so, yeah, it was pretty bad. I’m not even prepared to pass judgment on his acting in this or other films where he has seemed like a weak element, because especially in the case of Oz, there’s a good bet he was hung out to dry, along with the three witch portrayers—Mila Kunis, Michelle Williams and Rachel Weisz—who are normally excellent.
The whole movie felt off, and a lot of it was due to the Oz character and how he was treated. It seemed like they were aiming for one of those complicated heroes who’s not really a good guy but then does good things and redeems himself and yada yada. These are apparently really hard to pull off, because a lot of writers and filmmakers seem to think that all they need to do to establish someone as a good man is to have female characters refer to him as a “good person” or “good guy.” I just don’t find this satisfying. I didn’t think there was enough in front of me to agree with Glinda that Oz was good in the end. And I’m not just going to take a witch’s word for it, I’m sorry.
This is only one example, and admittedly, there aren’t many. I think, if pressed, I would side with those who say Oz and Your Highness are the exceptions in Franco’s filmography rather than the rule.
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