Why Do People Hate Julianne Moore?
Julianne Moore is an award-winning and prolific actress known for her extensive body of work in independent films as well as big budget Hollywood movies. She has received accolades including an Academy Award, two Emmy Awards, and two Golden Globes.
However, despite her critical success over the past three decades, Moore has faced some strong dislike and criticism from certain groups of movie watchers. This article will explore the possible reasons why the actress sparks such polarizing reactions from audiences.
Range of Roles
One of the main reasons Julianne Moore may turn some people off is the wide range of characters she has played throughout her career. She is known for taking on dark, challenging roles in independent films that showcase flaws, unlikable personalities, and moral failings in her characters.
Moore’s Villainous Roles
For example, Moore has played twisted villains and unlikeable characters in films like:
- Hannibal – She played the cunning and manipulative FBI Agent Clarice Starling.
- Magnolia – She played a cheating wife strung out on prescription medicine.
- Safe – She played a depressed housewife with multiple chemical sensitivities.
Some audiences may find her tendency to play flawed, unsympathetic characters unappealing. She is willing to shed vanity and glamor to inhabit messy, unlikable roles.
Moore’s Sexually Explicit Roles
Moore has also appeared nude or in sexually explicit scenes in films like Short Cuts, Boogie Nights, The End of the Affair, and Chloe. Some more conservative audiences may be turned off by this material.
Moore’s Emotionally Draining Roles
In addition to darker material, Moore regularly plays emotionally draining roles including:
- A mother grieving her son’s death in The Myth of Fingerprints
- An Alzheimer’s patient in Still Alice
- A victim of domestic abuse in The Forgotten
These wrenching portrayals of grief and suffering may be too much for some viewers. Moore commits fully to exploring the psychology of emotional pain in her work.
Table of Moore’s Most Controversial Roles
| Film | Role | Why It’s Controversial |
|---|---|---|
| Hannibal | FBI Agent Clarice Starling | Twisted, cunning villain |
| Magnolia | Cheating Wife | Immoral character |
| Safe | Depressed Housewife | Unlikable protagonist |
| Short Cuts | Artist’s Wife | Nudity, sexually explicit |
| Boogie Nights | Porn Star | Nudity, sexually explicit |
| The End of the Affair | Adulteress | Sexually explicit |
| Chloe | Gynecologist | Sexually explicit |
| The Myth of Fingerprints | Grieving Mother | Emotionally draining |
| Still Alice | Alzheimer’s Patient | Emotionally draining |
| The Forgotten | Abuse Victim | Emotionally draining |
Political Activism
Another source of dislike for Julianne Moore from some audiences stems from her outspoken liberal political activism. She has been vocal in her support for progressive Democratic candidates and condemned the policies of Republican presidents like George W. Bush.
Moore’s Criticism of Conservative Politicians
Some examples of Moore’s political activism include:
- Publicly criticizing President Bush at the Cannes Film Festival in 2004
- Appearing in anti-Bush campaign videos in 2004 in support of John Kerry
- Supporting President Obama’s campaigns and policies
- Championing liberal causes like gun control and women’s reproductive rights
Her willingness to speak out against conservative Republican politicians has made her unpopular with right-leaning audiences. She has been vocal about her pro-choice stance and support for stricter gun control laws.
Moore’s Support for Liberal Causes
In addition to Democratic candidates, Moore has been an advocate for organizations like Planned Parenthood. She is outspoken on feminist issues like pay equity and reproductive rights.
She also champions LGBTQ causes, arts education, and environmental initiatives. Her unambiguous alignment with left-leaning philosophies makes her a polarizing figure across partisan lines.
Awards speech controversies
Moore has courted additional criticism for the political content of some high-profile awards speeches.
2003 Oscars Speech
At the 2003 Academy Awards, Moore won Best Actress for her role in Far from Heaven. In her speech, she criticized President Bush’s foreign policy and the prospect of the Iraq War. This was seen by some as inappropriate for the apolitical venue.
2017 SAG Awards Speech
She also raised eyebrows for her anti-Trump remarks during her 2017 SAG Awards acceptance speech. Moore spoke passionately on diversity, the immigrant experience in America, and empathy. Her impassioned rhetoric was divisive, with some finding it powerful and others overly partisan.
2018 Golden Globes Speech
At the 2018 Golden Globes, Moore championed women speaking out against sexual harassment as part of the growing Time’s Up movement. This feminist messaging was controversial, as some saw Hollywood actors grandstanding politically.
Moore’s awards show platforms have enhanced her reputation as a divisive liberal crusader in the eyes of her conservative detractors.
Inconsistent box office power
While Moore has a strong reputation for acclaimed performances in independent films, her track record with mainstream movies is spottier. With some exceptions, she has struggled when carrying studio films built around her star power.
Moore’s indie film success
Moore became known for her work in beloved indie films like Safe, Boogie Nights, Magnolia, and Far From Heaven. She thrived when collaborating with visionary directors on artful projects with lower commercial expectations.
Moore’s struggles in commercial films
However, Moore had difficulty drawing audiences for mainstream romantic dramas and literary adaptations tailored to her talents. Movies like The End of the Affair, The Shipping News, Laws of Attraction, Trust the Man, and The Prize Winner of Defiance Ohio all struggled at the box office.
After a few efforts to make her a Hollywood leading lady in the late 90s/early 2000s, Moore shifted back to independent films and supporting roles in ensemble casts.
For audiences expecting traditional movie star bankability, Moore’s inability to carry major releases likely engendered some resentment.
Unusual beauty and appearance
Finally, Moore’s unconventional beauty and chameleonic appearance may contribute to audience disorientation or difficulty connecting with her. With her pale skin, green eyes, and reddish hair, her look deviates from traditional bombshell leading lady aesthetics.
Moore willingness to alter her look
Moore also oscillates dramatically in appearance between glamorous and plain. She is willing to sacrifice vanity and radically alter her hair/make-up to inhabit characters. Audiences who expect feminine beauty or consistency of appearance may find this unsettling.
Moore’s lack of plastic surgery
Unlike many actresses, Moore has also aged naturally on screen and candidly spoken about her lack of plastic surgery. For audiences accustomed to artificially preserved youth in female stars, her willingness to show wrinkles and maturity may feel jarring.
Table of Moore’s Most Dramatic Transformations
| Film | Look |
|---|---|
| Boogie Nights | 70s bleached blonde porn star |
| Magnolia | 90s prescription drug addict |
| Hannibal | Slicked back FBI agent |
| Far From Heaven | Coiffed 50s housewife |
| The Hours | Suicidal poet with prosthetic nose |
| Still Alice | Messy grey haired professor with Alzheimer’s |
Moore’s mutable appearance and unusual beauty may disorient audiences looking for a consistent Hollywood glamour aesthetic.
Conclusion
In summary, Julianne Moore’s tendency to play unlikable or controversial characters, her visible liberal political activism, inconsistent box office power as a headliner, and unusual beauty/willingness to transform her look all contribute to audience polarization regarding the actress.
While her chameleon-like abilities allow her to inhabit eclectic roles, this shapeshifting quality may also alienate or discomfit audiences looking for more traditional attributes in female Hollywood stars.
However, the same maverick qualities that court controversy from mainstream audiences also endear Moore to fans of independent and art house cinema. Ultimately, Moore’s risk-taking sensibilities as an actress render her an inherently divisive figure within popular culture.
Frequently Asked Questions About Julianne Moore Dislike
Does Julianne Moore mostly star in unlikable roles as troubled characters?
Yes, Moore is best known for playing characters dealing with flaws, disorders, trauma, or moral shortcomings. She gravitates towards complex, dark material over traditional heroic female roles.
Is Julianne Moore very politically outspoken as a liberal activist?
Yes, Moore is unambiguously vocal in her support for progressive Democratic candidates and policies. She frequently champions liberal positions on issues like gun control, women’s rights, arts funding, and environmentalism.
Why didn’t Julianne Moore have more success as a Hollywood leading lady?
While skilled in character acting, Moore struggled to carry mainstream romantic dramas and literary films aimed at a broad audience. Her box office power proved inconsistent outside of independent film circles.
Does Julianne Moore shun plastic surgery and letting herself age on camera?
Yes, Moore has been transparent about her lack of cosmetic procedures. She allows herself to age naturally on film, departing from the artificiality of surgically preserved looks.
Does Julianne Moore radically change her hair, makeup and appearance for roles?
Absolutely. Moore tailors her physicality to each character without vanity. She goes to extensive lengths altering hair color/style, using prosthetics, gaining weight, adopting accents etc. to transform.
Is Julianne Moore considered unusually beautiful or glamorous as an actress?
With her pale skin, freckles and unconventional features, Moore’s appearance is often described as unusual rather than classically beautiful. She departs from the bombshell aesthetic of many leading ladies.
Has Julianne Moore generated award show controversy for politically charged speeches?
Her acceptance speeches have sometimes been seen as overly partisan instead of appropriately apolitical for the venue, such as her anti-Bush 2003 Oscars speech.
Does Julianne Moore mostly appear in independent art films instead of big budget movies?
While she has appeared in some mainstream fare, Moore has primarily starred in critically acclaimed low-budget independent films that align with her artistic sensibilities.
Do some audiences find Julianne Moore hard to relate to or connect with emotionally?
Between her tendency to play troubled characters and her mutable appearance, some viewers find Moore’s screen personas difficult to establish visceral connections with compared to more glamorous Hollywood stars.
