Every now and then, I have a moment of sheer honesty that I absolutely have to share with you: James Franco brought this upon me today! GQ Style Germany Spring Summer 2012 cover, as photographed by Mariano Vivanco is rather strange. Very strange.
It’s supposed to be about Men fashion and James Franco. That’s how far my German goes (wink). But really, that knife? What’s it doing there? Once again, my eyebrows are raised high in an effort to understand today’s men fashion and what men style stands for. Do you know any men who’d buy this? And could you please ask them why they’d do it? (I know it’s not GQ Russia – wink – but still, let’s take this cover into style consideration and speak our mind? wink again)
7 comments
The cover makes perfect sense as James Franco will be playing Robert Mapplethorpe in a movie soon. It clearly, states this on the cover even in German his name.
Straight away, the knife highlights the controversial aspects of the brilliant photographer who died of Aids age 42. Obviously, don’t play with knives unless for artistic purposes only, but it works to demonstrate Robert Mapplethorpe angle.
Robert Mapplethorpe was unique and James Franco is unique, so I see why Mariano Vivanco went for this look and yes, men and women will buy this issue, it’s James Franco.
There is no reason not too. I’ve seen worse magazine covers out there, it’s not the first or will be the last. In time, this might even be iconic.
Ah, you said it all yet and I understand your reasoning and totally agree. :)
I admire Robert Mapplethorpe and am glad someone like James Franco is going to play him. I trust his acting abilities to play someone like Mapplethorpe.
kpriss, I didn´t understand your point- of course a lot of “men” will buy it. He is huge among gay men audience-.
Gay men are men too.just saying…
ana, well said! :)
I’m ever so very thankful to the person who wrote the first reply. My English is too limited to pay that kind of honour to Robert Mapplethorpe. I thank you :)
I love that cover! James Franco is a beautiful man and actor. Wish I had that photo without all the lettering…..
@ ana, really? I wasn’t aware of that! I have really mixed feelings about James Franco… and even beyond that, I can’t restrict a men style magazine as only targeting gay men audience. I thought it was a global thing… But that’s an interesting idea – that maybe only gay men buy men fashion magazines. (although I still have reserves about that)
@ research – that’s great feedback! Especially since my German is far from being any good as to decipher the cover lines! So Robert Mapplethorpe you say? It all makes sense now. Adding what @ ana said, it surely makes it a justifiable, possible sellout cover!
@ Riana – Thanks, I’m glad I was able to break it down for you what Mariano Vivanco was trying to express in terms of the cover. Yes, James Franco is an excellent actor with acting credits like James Dean, City By The Sea, Howl, Pineapple Express, Milk, 127 Hours, Rise of the Planet of the Apes, The Broken Tower up coming movies like Tar and OZ he should be great plus he really looks like him.
Furthermore, the best thing about James Franco is that he specializes in playing iconic biopics better than anyone in Hollywood (his done more plus solid performances). So, buy the magazine anyway, the pictures inside are breathtaking in my opinion and again captures the essence of Robert Mapplethorpe perfectly. This movie might win him his first Oscar if done right.
@Kpriss – Thank you and glad I could help. I perfectly understand why you have mix feelings about James Franco as a unique/bizarre guy, he’s difficult to understand at times but appears to me, to be honest and passionate in his objectives like bringing poetry onto the bring screen. Just think now how many people will go and research Robert Mapplethorpe. Majority of the time James Franco makes me want to research the story, he’s trying tell and that’s always a good thing.
Also, my German isn’t brilliant but there was a recent news story all over the internet stating James Franco will be playing Robert Mapplethorpe in a movie, that’s why I knew from the cover plus there is an iconic photo inside the magazine which James Franco copies that ensures he will be perfect for this movie. It’s funny because this cover also shows that he could have played Jeff Buckley (singer) life story too, if he lip syncs.
I agree with @ana also, because James Franco is fearless in the characters he portrays in gay roles like Howl, Milk, The Broken Tower, he has generated a huge fan base which surely will buy this magazine but so will every teenage girl in love with him, as his appeal is global and growing, so this magazine is not just for men but they will buy straight or gay.
@Research, last year when James presented the Oscar’s -which I found odd by the way- it was so obvious he felt uncomfortable. A great actor or not. So I liked him even more.
I already planned to buy this German GQ if I can find it here. I’m Dutch so we have many German magazines here.
Times have changed. Fashion magazines for men are bought by as well gay as hetero men I think. I remember the Style.com forums back in the days where a mix of gay/hetero guys. I liked that a lot. Further I believe we shouldn’t generalize. I’ve known a gay couple he could do with style advice etc. I’m afraid people will never learn….
Well, I’m looking forward to the film and I hope Mapplethorpe’s work will get the attention it deserves. And who will or must play Patti Smith? That was one of the first things I thought today. IMDb has no news yet…..
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