Danish Director Calls Ron Howard 'Terrible Filmmaker' to His Daughter's Face
Lars Von Trier shocked Bryce Dallas Howard on set by insulting her father's work and throwing water at her face to provoke an emotional reaction.
Can anyone really despise Ron Howard? Sure, his films might draw criticism, and some deserve harsh reviews. But Ron Howard the person? The filmmaker who's spent seven decades in entertainment has built a reputation so clean it practically sparkles.
Since his directorial debut five decades ago, Howard has crafted over two dozen films. Critics point out he lacks a distinctive visual style. He doesn't seem interested in developing one either. His billions in box office earnings suggest audiences don't mind this approach.
The Unlikely Enemy
Howard transitioned from full-time acting in the 1980s after starring in two hit TV series. He's worked alongside cinema legends, earned two Academy Awards, runs a successful production company. Even in his 70s, he maintains that wholesome 'aw shucks' personality from his Andy Griffith Show days.
So who would harbor genuine animosity toward Hollywood's most vanilla mogul? Lars Von Trier, naturally.
The Danish provocateur represents everything Howard isn't. Where Howard plays it safe for studios, Von Trier breaks taboos and courts controversy. These opposing philosophies might explain why Von Trier felt compelled to share his contempt directly with Howard's daughter.
The Shocking Encounter
Bryce Dallas Howard knew working on Manderlay would bring surprises. Von Trier's greeting still caught her off guard completely.
'He started insulting me,' she remembered. '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.'
Then Von Trier threw a glass of water in her face.
Method or Madness
The incident raises questions about Von Trier's motives. Did he cast Howard specifically to insult her father's work? It's hard to imagine these two directors ever sharing the same room given their vastly different approaches to filmmaking.
Howard may not rank among cinema's most exciting or dynamic voices. Calling him 'terrible' seems excessive though. Von Trier marches to his own beat, and questioning his methods proves pointless at this stage of his career.