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Over the course of his career, James Caan starred in some of the most influential films of all time, including the iconicThe Godfather, in which he took on the role of Sonny Corleone and earned an Academy Award for his performance. The actor was also known for being highly discerning about his on-screen projects, prompting several rejections throughout his career.
Renowned for his outspoken and opinionated nature, the actor also did not hesitate to voice his reservations when it came to a line in the 1973 drama,Cinderella Liberty,leading to a disagreement with his friend and director of the film, Mark Rydell.
James Caan Was Disappointed With One Line inCinderella Liberty
The 1973 filmCinderella LibertyfollowsJames Caanas a sailor, John, who falls for a prostitute Maggie (Marsha Mason). However, things get complicated after she goes back to her previous lifestyle. By the end of the film, it is revealed that Maggie has left for New Orleans with another man.
Upon learning about the same, John heads to New Orleans to look for Maggie with her son Doug. It was during the final moments when the filmmaker wanted Caan to say a line,“I hear they got some big shrimp in New Orleans,”suggesting that John Baggs was headed to New Orleans in search of Maggie.
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However, the actor found it unnecessary as he believed that the line undermined the character he had carefully developed throughout the movie.“I have just spent two hours creating a character who has no quit in him, who only sees the good,” he toldRolling Stone, while further explaining,
And if the audience doesn’t know he’s going down to New Orleans, then I have done a terrible job.’ He said, ‘Just say it, we won’t use it.’… It’s the loudest goddamned line in the movie. It really pissed me off, plus it’s bad drama.
He also emphasized the importance of authenticity of character consistency, saying,“If a guy’s been in the navy for twelve years, he walks a certain way [gets up and demonstrates].”He believed that the line was offensive not only to his work with the character but also to the viewers’ ability to grasp the character’s story and development.
James Caan Found His Character inCinderella LibertyPure and Good
Based on the book of the same name,Cinderella Libertyfeatures James Caan as John Baggs, a sailor with a rough exterior but a tender heart. When asked about his character in the 1973 drama film during an interview, the Oscar-winning actor expressed a deep appreciation for the purity and goodness his role embodied.
“I rather liked him,”hesaidwhile comparing his character to the virtuous Billy Budd, the titular character and sailor in Herman Melville’s novella,Billy Budd,known for his innocence and moral integrity.
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“To me, he was like Billy Budd, all pure and good,”he said. TheQueen Beesstar also shared that they found his co-starMarsha Mason,who earned an Oscar nomination for her performance in the 1973 film. Caan and Mason also co-starred in the 1979 romantic comedyChapter Two.
Cinderella Libertyis available to stream on Prime Video.
Laxmi Rajput
Senior Writer
Articles Published :3448
Laxmi Rajput is a Senior Writer at FandomWire, with over 3,300 articles published covering film, TV, and pop culture. With a degree in Broadcast Journalism and over three years of experience in content writing, she pivoted to entertainment journalism because let’s be honest, superheroes, sitcoms, and Netflix binges are way more fun. Laxmi frequently covers Marvel, Harry Potter, Star Wars, and popular TV shows, offering both fan-first enthusiasm and thoughtful analysis. Her work often dives into Marvel theories, revisits the genius of The Big Bang Theory, or unpacks the Netflix phenomenon of Stranger Things.
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James Caan
