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Stardom has finally come to Mark Wahlberg, a decade
after he proved his skills as an actor. Wahlberg has come a long way since
his dubious entrance into show business with Marky Mark and the Funky
Bunch, and I’m sure he would like to forget that chapter in his life.
(I would.) His current release, Shooter, is essentially a star vehicle, resting squarely on
Wahlberg’s screen presence. He lends his intensity to the role of a
government assassin on the run after being set up as a scapegoat. Shooter is one of those films
in which no one can be trusted, and his character probably should have
known better. The implausible plot is one of those movie concoctions that
exist only to launch the chase. Wahlberg’s ability to shift from
serious actor to action hero makes it work despite the holes. Shooter may not offer Wahlberg
great challenge as an actor, but it certainly helps solidify his growing
stardom. Coming on the heels of The Departed (2006), in which he was the only one of the stellar
cast to be nominated for an Oscar, Wahlberg has truly arrived. His
character could have easily disappeared into the background, but he made
the role of the obnoxious, foul-mouthed cop a standout. Wahlberg made the jump to movies in a supporting role
as a recruit in Renaissance Man (1994). Two years later he grabbed attention in his first
starring role, as Reese Witherspoon’s psychotic boyfriend, in Fear. Wahlberg followed this
with his searing portrayal of a porn actor in Boogie
Nights (1997). Paul Thomas Anderson’s
probing examination of the unseen human side of the porn industry should
have catapulted Wahlberg to stardom, but it was co-stars Burt Reynolds and
Julianne Moore who received the attention and Oscar nominations. Wahlberg
at least became bankable without truly establishing his own screen persona.
Many major features came his way, including three high-profile remakes. The Planet of the Apes (2001)
was a major disappointment, but The Truth About
Charlie (2002) is a bit better than Charade (1963), and The Italian Job (2003) is far
superior to its empty original. To bolster his newfound stardom, Wahlberg
also appeared, last year, in Invincible, a surprisingly realistic sports film, considering that it
comes labeled with two ominous words: “inspirational” and
“Disney.” Wahlberg’s physical prowess makes the actor the
perfect choice for the role of the bartender who played pro football for
the Philadelphia Eagles in the 1970s. You believe Wahlberg as this
character, just as you believe he can really play the game. His potential
seems limitless.
New on DVD this Tuesday (April 10): Bobby.
This article appears in Mar 29 – Apr 4, 2007.
