This
was supposed to be an Official Biography of Haley Joel Osment, but when the Home
of the Giants Tribute Site was preparing this special section for Haley Joel Osment,
we felt very strongly that perhaps an "official biography" would not
be appropriate for this fascinating young actor, whose life, career and filmography
is still very much a "work-in-progress" with many more exciting things
to be written. Yet, at the same time, this young man has accomplished so much
already in his 19 years, much of it spent giving astonishing performances in front
of the camera. We felt very strongly that at this present time , a TRIBUTE to
Haley Joel Osment would be far more appropriate to honor this young actor and
his amazing work all these years. We hope you enjoy this specially commissioned
TRIBUTE to Haley, written with sincerity and great respect by none other than
FAIR, who is no stranger to the Haley community. Haley
Joel Osment : A TRIBUTE
by Fair Sometimes,
but perhaps not even as often as once in a lifetime, do we get to experience something
so rare, it almost seems impossible that the experience is anything other than
a dream. For more than a decade Haley Joel Osment has continued to enchant and
astonish us with some of the most deeply nuanced and emotional performances to
ever be captured on film. The maturity of what he is able to achieve in his performances
belies his years, and we can begin to appreciate why his peers that are many years
his senior, all consider him to be an equal and worthy of the title "Actor".
Not the qualified "young actor" or "child actor" usually reserved
for someone his age for most of his career, but simply as one of their own, an
actor. First
introduced to the world as the young son of the title character in "Forrest
Gump", that well celebrated and award winning film would serve as an almost
prescient glimpse at Haley Joel Osment's brilliant career. That path would soon
bring his first leading role in a film about magic and imagination, the delightful
"Bogus". The chemistry he would share on screen playing opposite a gentle
giant of a character, would prove to be quite enchanting and affecting. Just
a few years later, it was with the release of the film "The Sixth Sense"
that everything would change. Suddenly his name would be known and celebrated
around the world, and he would become one of the youngest actors to ever be nominated
for an Academy Award. Perhaps most significant and enduring of all, his performance
would set the standard by which all future performances from any young actor would
be judged. The quality of his performance set that standard not because it was
an outstanding performance by a young actor, but because it was an inimitable
performance set by an actor, who just so happened to be young. He
would follow that up with three films, all made in the same year, and all very
different and yet so wonderfully compelling. "Pay It Forward" would
offer hope and faith in humanity, as it would suggest that it just might be possible
for one idea to change the world. That idea would prove to be quite practical
and perpetual in the real world, as the film continues to serve as a source for
inspiration and revelation. "Edges of the Lord" would provide a heartrending
view of World War II and the Holocaust from the perspective of the youngest victims,
and how they try to make sense of such senseless events in their daily lives.
No need for frightening battles or even views of the concentration camps, as such
atrocities permeate everything in the world around them in this thoughtful film.
Then would come a most rare and deeply meaningful collaberation between two genius
directors, the Stanley Kubrick and Steven Spielberg hybrid, "A.I. Artificial
Intelligence". A film of such formidable depth that Haley Joel Osment was
deemed the only actor capable of carrying the full weight of the film, and bringing
such a complicated character to life. There are not very many actors tasked with
such a heavy burden, but he was equal to, and even surpassed, the challenge with
his performance. "Secondhand
Lions" is his most recent, and most accessible film for every age, and provided
the opportunity to work with two iconic actors and legends of film. He would prove
to be a worthy rival when confronted by their intimidating presence. It would
also serve as a reminder that good old fashioned larger than life story telling
makes for great entertainment, especially when told to the younger generation
who cannot help but sit and listen with wide-eyed wonder. Such
a distinguished and versatile filmography featuring so many unique characters,
and now Haley Joel Osment will enchant us again with his next film, "Home
of the Giants". Featuring yet another unique character, as he will be forced
into the dilemma of having to question everything that he holds to be true, in
a town where the belief and support of some things are never questioned. From
there, the possibilities for this compelling and amazing actor are endless, not
unlike the endless possibilities when you dream. ©
September 2007 by FAIR and www.homeofthegiants.com |
