As a result of some holiday movie watching, I’ve concluded that PR characters in films seem to follow a fairly standard template. Though always slightly oily, they are generally depicted as idealistic people trying to find a moral purpose in a cynical world.
Three examples:
Unsuccessful PR man Ray tries to persuade corporations to donate a percentage of their profits to his climate charity finds an even less promising project – the transformation of alcoholic bum with super powers - Hancock, into proper comic book super hero. His inspired strategy is to persuade Hancock to show contrition and go to jail. He emerges, phoenix like in tight fitting leather suit to save the world.
Sports agent Jerry (PR near enough) is fired for suggesting his sports management company were too profit focussed. Jerry knows something isn’t quite right about his world but isn’t sure what exactly. His character arcs from superficiality to profundity finding meaning and success in his business and personal life.
Ageing burn out publicist Eli Wurman musters all his powers and famous friends to attend a benefit for a worthy cause but taking a moral stand against the corrupt political and celebrity forces he represents has fatal consequences.
As a result of working with a few, especially those I have hired...
Not sure I can agree. As to which character trait you refer to...
I am sure a gamut is covered in real life, and then reflected to necessary excess by that oh so worried about 'real' reality world of media, film, etc, as sold to us poor public by whom, exactly?
Yes the noble PR agent pursuing a strong moral and ethical standpoint probably isn't the first image to to spring to mind for most business people unfortunately but for whatever reason, maybe just due to the dynamic of what makes a good story PR is getting a reasonably good press at movies. The writer of People I know said at the Sundance press conference that all publicists were liars - which is a bit extreme - but perhaps explains why he bumps off his PR character (Al Pacino).
ROSS FURLONG
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