Lars Von Trier’s Blunt Critique of Ron Howard’s Films
Lars Von Trier didn’t hold back his opinion of Ron Howard, calling him a ‘terrible filmmaker’ and even targeting Howard’s daughter during a film shoot.
It’s hard to imagine anyone in the industry having a real issue with Ron Howard. Sure, you might not be a fan of every film he’s made, and some of his work has copped its fair share of criticism, but as a bloke, Howard’s reputation is about as squeaky clean as they come. He’s been in the game for over seventy years, first popping up on screen as a kid, and later making his mark behind the camera. Despite all that time, you’d be hard-pressed to find anyone with a bad word to say about him.
That doesn’t mean he’s above a bit of stick, though. With more than twenty films under his belt as a director, Howard’s never really settled on a signature style, and by his own admission, he’s not fussed about it. Not every director needs to be an auteur, and the box office numbers speak for themselves, but a bit of flair wouldn’t go astray. After stepping away from acting in the 1980s, Howard’s racked up two hit TV shows, worked alongside some of the biggest names in the business, nabbed a couple of Oscars, and runs a busy production company. He’s even been happy to take the mickey out of himself, as seen in The Studio. Even now, well into his seventies, he’s still got that wholesome, down-to-earth vibe that’s been his trademark since The Andy Griffith Show days.
Clashing Worlds: Von Trier and Howard
So, who’d have a bone to pick with someone so inoffensive? Enter Lars Von Trier. If you were looking for a polar opposite to Howard, the Danish director would be a fair shout. Von Trier’s known for pushing boundaries and stirring up controversy, while Howard’s the safe pair of hands studios love. Maybe that’s why Von Trier felt the urge to share his less-than-glowing opinion with Howard’s daughter, Bryce Dallas Howard, when she joined the cast of Manderlay.
According to Bryce, Von Trier didn’t waste any time making his feelings known.
“He started insulting me,”
she recalled.
“‘Your father’s a terrible filmmaker’. I went, ‘Lars, what are you trying to see?’ And he said, ‘Your angry face. I don’t know what it looks like.’”
In true Von Trier fashion, he then lobbed a glass of water in her face. It’s the sort of thing you might expect from him, but it still caught her off guard.
On-Set Antics and Unlikely Encounters
Given Von Trier’s reputation for being unpredictable, you have to wonder if he cast Bryce just so he could have a go at her dad’s work. It’s tough to picture the two directors ever sharing a room, considering how differently they approach their craft. Howard’s not exactly known for taking risks or shaking things up, but calling him “terrible” seems a bit much.
Still, there’s no point trying to get inside Von Trier’s head. He’s always done things his own way, and he’s not about to change now. Whether you reckon Howard’s films are bland or just reliable, it’s clear that Von Trier’s opinion isn’t shared by many in the industry.