The Sycophant in the Room

Or, Just what is it about Seth Rogen that is so appealing, and so unappealing?

I keep watching Seth Rogen, and hoping. One who could be a great character actor got lost somewhere along the way, and found himself in leading roles. It is as if Walter Matthau got all the roles Cary Grant turned down. I keep watching, and hoping: any minute now he will turn into a leading man.

As a romantic lead, his flirtations are at times wonderful, especially in The Green Hornet. And looking over his career, there is enough rapport between these aspects of his roles to suggest he improvises something of himself into the dialogue.

But outside of these repartees, he is too friendly, too supportive. Infusing every Seth Rogen role is a kind of support, congeniality, agreeability, amiability. He compliments characters. He offers retractions. And this overall amiability is Seth Rogen’s weakness in leading roles. One would love to walk beside him, but not to follow him.

A leading man cannot be agreeable. He can agree, but not be agreeable. A leading man cannot ask questions. He knows. A leading man must not seek approval. He must offer it. A leading man leads, supporting actors support. 

A leading man cannot smile like a sycophant.