An 80s nostalgia-fest with Molly Ringwald and Rob Lowe
Rob Lowe chats with 80s icon Molly Ringwald about their acting careers, writing, and life experiences. They discuss the challenges of Hollywood, personal growth, and the importance of relationships, offering a nostalgic yet insightful look at their journeys.
Deep Dive Analysis
19 Topic Outline
Introduction to Rob Lowe's podcast and Molly Ringwald
Reflecting on working together in Stephen King's 'The Stand'
Molly Ringwald's journey as a writer and New Yorker piece
Improvisation and script changes in John Hughes movies
Rob Lowe's 'Breakfast Club' audition and the cowboy hat
Molly Ringwald's casting in 'Breakfast Club' and script evolution
John Hughes's perceived intimidation by good-looking actors
Molly Ringwald on Time Magazine vs. Rob Lowe on Bop Magazine
The exclusive Time Magazine cover party and uninvited guests
Stories about Warren Beatty and his influence
Molly Ringwald's experience in the 'Sling Blade' short film
The origin story of Billy Bob Thornton's 'Carl' character
Reflections on acting from a young age and working with new talent
The decline of non-spectacle films and the rise of superhero movies
Desire to play a Marvel supervillain and the 'Marvel diet'
Emilio Estevez as Rob Lowe's first workout trainer
The 'Paltrow rule' for children of actors entering the business
Insights into the longevity of Hollywood marriages
Roy London's counterintuitive acting philosophy for playing a deaf character
5 Key Concepts
Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication
A quote from Da Vinci, used to describe a writing style characterized by clarity and insight without being showy, yet remaining evocative. It implies that true elegance in writing comes from directness and depth.
Page 72 rule
A recurring pattern in 1980s movie scripts where, invariably, the character the actor was meant to play would be nude on page 72. This was a common way studios tried to add 'steamy' content.
Spengali
A term used to describe John Hughes's perceived influence or control over actors, suggesting he preferred to mold talent rather than work with those who were already established or confident in their own image.
Paltrow rule
A guideline for children of actors who want to enter the entertainment business, stating that they must go to college and not act professionally until they are at least 18 years old.
Adding another level of falsehood
An acting philosophy from coach Roy London, which advises against physically mimicking a character's disability (e.g., blinding oneself to play a blind person). Instead, an actor should understand their character's internal reality while acknowledging their own physical ability, to avoid creating an inauthentic performance.
7 Questions Answered
Molly Ringwald started writing book reviews and profiles, encouraged by a friend named Dave Daly. She felt that getting published in The New Yorker for her piece on John Hughes was a pivotal moment that solidified her identity as a writer.
John Hughes was very open to improvisation and making things up, especially in movies like 'The Breakfast Club.' However, not all writers and directors are as flexible, with some being very precious about their scripts.
Molly Ringwald speculates that John Hughes was intimidated by very good-looking guys like Rob Lowe, preferring actors he could more easily mold or control, aligning with a 'Spengali' dynamic.
Molly Ringwald was 18 when she appeared on the cover of Time Magazine and didn't initially understand the significance until Warren Beatty explained it to her. She felt proud of the honor, especially since she hadn't received many awards or nominations.
Billy Bob Thornton created the Carl character while bored on a movie set he disliked. He was looking at himself in a mirror and made the face, then started improvising, which eventually led to the short film and later the feature film 'Sling Blade'.
The 'Paltrow rule,' adopted by Rob Lowe, dictates that children of actors must go to college and not act professionally until they are at least 18 years old, a guideline established by Bruce Paltrow for his daughter Gwyneth.
Rob Lowe attributes the longevity of his marriage to 'casting' the right person, emphasizing that the foundation should be a best friendship. He suggests that if your partner is the first person you want to talk to about good or bad news, and the one you'd choose for a worldwide tour, it's a good sign.
12 Actionable Insights
1. Prioritize Best Friend in Marriage
For a long-lasting marriage, prioritize choosing a partner who is your best friend, as this foundational friendship will remain even as other aspects of the relationship ebb and flow.
2. Apply The Paltrow Rule
For children interested in acting, implement ’the Paltrow rule’ by ensuring they go to college and do not act professionally until they are at least 18 years old.
3. Diversify Creative Fulfillment Sources
To mitigate the sting of rejection in creative fields, cultivate multiple sources of creative fulfillment so you don’t solely rely on external validation from one area.
4. Build a Big Skill Toolbox
For those entering competitive fields like acting, focus on building a ‘really big toolbox’ of skills to open more doors and prepare for potential increased criticism.
5. Seek Writing Encouragement & Practice
If you want to write, find someone who encourages you relentlessly and keeps you writing, as consistent practice over many years is key to getting better and calling yourself a writer.
6. Strive for Writing Simplicity
When writing, aim for clarity and insight without being showy, embodying Da Vinci’s principle that ‘simplicity is the ultimate sophistication’.
7. Embrace Feedback in Creative Work
When engaged in creative work like writing, be open to improvisation and changes, as the best writers are often the most receptive to external input.
8. Leverage Outgoing Friends
If you are shy, spend time with outgoing friends who will meet and talk to anyone, as their presence can make you more outgoing.
9. Adopt Low-Carb, Low-Sugar Diet
Consider adopting a low-carb and low-sugar lifestyle, as it has made a real difference for Rob Lowe, even though reducing sugar can be a struggle.
10. Find Exercise Accountability Partner
To maintain an exercise routine, find an accountability partner who will motivate you to get up and train, even if it means an early morning run.
11. Collect Good Quotes
Start collecting really good quotes, as they can be inspiring and offer insight, like Da Vinci’s ‘simplicity is the ultimate sophistication’.
12. Authentic Acting: Internalize Character
When playing a character with a disability you don’t possess, avoid physically simulating the disability to prevent adding ‘falsehood’; instead, focus on the character’s internal reasons for their actions or perceptions.
10 Key Quotes
Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.
Da Vinci (quoted by Rob Lowe)
parking garages are scary. I want to write, I want to write about a parking garage.
Stephen King
the best writers are actually the ones that are the most open to, to what you're talking about.
Molly Ringwald
Aaron Sorkin is in his own, you have like Shakespeare over here. And I, you know, I honestly think you have Aaron Sorkin over here. So he doesn't count.
Rob Lowe
if you swim nude and nobody watches, did it really, did you really swim nude? Did it, did it happen?
Rob Lowe
I think you were probably too good looking for him. I think he, you know, he was, he was very, uh, he was very intimidated by, you know, very good looking guys.
Molly Ringwald
if you can't see the camera, the camera can't see you.
Molly Ringwald
wake up, it's your worst nightmare, an actor in running shoes.
Emilio Estevez (quoted by Rob Lowe)
the fact of the matter is you hear. So what you have to do is figure out why your character hears and chooses to let people think he doesn't.
Roy London (quoted by Rob Lowe)
if you have one seat on a worldwide tour and you want that person to be with you.
Rob Lowe