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Channing Tatum – Hollywood hunk, and People Magazine’s newest “Sexiest Man Alive” has pretty much made 2012 his bitch. This has been the year where the former Abercrombie-&-Fitch-model-turned-actor has made his mark in cinema. And we can either love it or leave it.
Despite random cinematic misfires—such as “The Eagle,” a dusty swords-and-sandals drama that failed at ripe homoeroticism or even a plot, or “The Dilemma,” an ensembled mess, in which he had a small role—Tatum’s body of work, for the most part, has been a smart selection of audience pleasers, among them the “Step-Up” movies (2006, 2008), “G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra” (2009), “Dear John” (2011), and “21 Jump Street” (2012).
Now, thanks to a fruitful collaboration with award-winning filmmaker Steven Soderbergh, Mr. Tatum has embarked on an intriguing filmic journey. He was given a juicy supporting role in the greatly entertaining, high-octane “Haywire” opposite the ass-kicking MMA superstar Gina Carano. Later, he was on full beefcake display in the blockbuster “Magic Mike” opposite Matthew McConaughey, Matt Bomer, and Alex Pettyfer. We can no longer call Tatum a rising star: Chan-the-Man has arrived (and it took awhile to get here).
In Brave New Hollywood’s ongoing observation of their on-screen partnership, we note Tatum and Soderbergh’s next collaboration: the next serving in their triple-punch is “Side Effects,” (Open Road Films) a thriller centered on a young woman (Rooney Mara) who starts taking prescription meds to cope with her anxiety over the upcoming release from prison of her husband (Tatum).
Just like a drug, the film’s trailer does a great job of leaving the viewer dazed but needing more. And it carries over a theme of healthcare-disaster-chaotic-thriller the director filmed so indelibly in “Contagion” (Soderbergh also employed one of his actors from that film, Jude Law, for “Side Effects”).
So, what do we get out of this ongoing team up between the award winning director and rising superstar?
Easy. Positive side effects— no pun..
Look, Tatum is quite charming and a stud. There is no debating that. A successful marriage to the drop-dead-gorgeous Jenna Dewan adds to his appeal in that nearly-unattainable, “dream husband” kind of way. He is clearly focused on his career, and actually interested in working hard in order to make a name for himself and earn his place in this industry. Say what you will about acting skills, but this guy can deliver his lines more convincingly than most young actors who, nowadays, just want the fame, the money and the glitzy lifestyle, but don’t necessarily want to work for it.
On the silver screen, his upcoming roster includes the action-thriller “White House Down,” as well as sequels to “21 Jump Street” and “G.I. Joe,” which ought to secure him a spot on top of the Hollywood food chain for awhile.
Just like the best of them—Tom Cruise, Tom Hanks, George Clooney and a few others who understand the importance of satisfying the press and the public—Tatum show up on time, talks to every reporter, meets the fans, and promotes the film. It’s a necessary part of the process, one seen as an unnecessary burden to some actors as soon as the film has been shot, and their fat check has been cashed.
With Soderbergh, Tatum can move past any “flavor-of-the day” status. In fact, the two help each other. Tatum, 32, gets to build his acting muscles under the guidance of a great filmmaker. And if the silly retirement talk is still going on, then Soderbergh is going out with a bang (he is barely 50) with memorable films such as “Contagion” and “Magic Mike.” (Let’s not forget two upcoming films: in addition to “Side Effects,” he has also finished the HBO biopic “Behind the Candelabra,” starring Michael Douglas as Liberace.)
Tatum’s 3.1 million fans on Facebook and 2.9 million followers on Twitter make for a very strong social media presence, and a major weapon in his publicity arsenal. The Tatum brand comes with good looks, an appealing personality, a solid work ethic, and low drama. Who wouldn’t want to work with such a superstar?
SIDE EFFECTS will start, in theaters, on February 08, 2013
Click Here for the Facebook movie page for “SIDE EFFECTS”