Is method dressing the new method acting?
For some years now, method acting has been losing its sheen. Once it was seen as the ultimate commitment to the part, and a sure-fire way to get critical acclaim. James Dean, Marlon Brando and Montgomery Clift all used method acting — which was originally thought up by director Konstantin Stanislavski — and their performances are dynamic to this day.
Despite this, nowadays it’s not so hot and more and more actors are at pains to distance themselves from it.
Andrew Scott described it as “overpraised nonsense”. Brian Cox said it was crap and “f**king annoying”. Actress Kirsten Dunst spoke about the impracticalities: “What, am I gonna be like that with my kids when I come home? Speaking in an accent? I can’t do that. It seems like something only men can afford to do.”
Mads Mikkelsen said it was “pretentious”. Will Poulter thinks it is an “excuse for inappropriate behaviour”, while Toni Colette believes it is “utter wankery”.
In a famous anecdote, Laurence Olivier was so fatigued by Dustin Hoffman’s decision to stay up all night to look exhausted for a scene in Marathon Man he asked, “My dear boy, why don’t you just try acting?”
Stories of those who are committed to it sound bizarre; like when Jared Leto reportedly sent rats and dildos to castmates on the set of Suicide Squad. Oscar winner Viola Davis deserves better than that.
Anyway, while method acting may have divided the acting community, it is being replaced by ‘method dressing’.
This is when actors channel the fashion of their character at all press and red carpet events. Think Margot Robbie in Barbie when she wore an array of dresses inspired by Mattel’s famous doll, or Zendaya in Challengers wearing a pleated mini-dress and heels stabbing fluorescent tennis balls. Timothée Chalamet wore a dazzling lilac jumpsuit to the Wonka world premiere.
Vogue says ‘method dressing’ is “a chance to extend a project’s cinematic universe onto the red carpet”. Cosmopolitan magazine stated that “Method dressing has become the new method acting”.
Red carpets can be exceptionally tame, and this trend has certainly created more talking points. It’s more accepted by thespians and, I’d imagine, it’s less irritating on set.
However, I don’t know if this will have the same longevity as method acting, which, despite its critics, is still being utilised.
Vogue asked, “How quickly could that quirkiness feel rote?” I think that it is inevitable this sartorial trend will soon have pop culture fans rolling their eyes. But for now I am enjoying the silliness and the spectacle.