When did you realize that Chris Pine was more than just another Hollywood heartthrob with little more to offer than a twinkle in his eye, a mischievous smile, and a forgettable filmography?
It was during his feature film debut Princess diaries 2, in which he played aristocrat Nicholas Devereaux? His devilish charm and sizzling screen chemistry with Anne Hathaway made many teenage girls (and boys) swoon.
Maybe some adults too – it’s okay, I was 24 at the time.
Or maybe you’re more about Pine, the action hero. Maybe it caught your eye in the new Star Trek movies (the intergalactic uniforms are pretty tight) or when it came out in favor of Jack Ryan?
What about Diana’s love interest, Steve Trevor? Wonderful woman? A character who did her share of derring-do but never felt threatened by her immense power and femininity.
Maybe it was his comedic changes Horrible bosses 2 i Hot and humid American summer?
And those searing dramatic roles that proved he had the range and gravitas to convey a maturity and heaviness that belied the fanfare. He was the thoughtful older brother in moral ambiguity Hell or High Water and a disgraced journalist on a journey of redemption in the stylish noir series I am the Nightthat produced
There was also the full front nudity scene The outlawed king (who also starred as his love interest…drum roll…Florence Pugh!).
Pine can walk through an airport in five o’clock shades and Carhatt overalls, the epitome of casual elegance.
He just has good man energy.
Maybe you’ve been a longtime Pine Pine (you know you love a cheesy pun) and know that he’s arguably the best Chris in Hollywood.
Or maybe you only discovered its fundamental freshness yesterday when you were swept into the maelstrom of Don’t worry honeyThere are many, many scandals.
All he needed Don’t worry honey The drama spread beyond Olivia Wilde, Harry Styles, Florence Pugh and Shia LaBeouf was a prominent film festival, the attention of the world’s media and two viral moments.
Thanks to two clips of Pine’s wordless reactions to Harry Styles, he’s become the unwitting hero everyone wants to get behind.
The first was his face during Styles’ rambling but rather innocuous answer about why he loves Don’t worry honey. Basically, because it’s a movie that looks like a movie.
To be fair to Styles, the international pop star doesn’t usually answer questions about film and screen culture. Ask him for his opinion on aspens and he could probably give you an articulate answer.
Pine’s “disengaged” face as he tries to figure out what Styles was hitting is the same expression everyone makes when his uncle explains why f/4 is the best aperture for wildlife photography. You wish you were somewhere else.
But that’s nothing compared to the joy of the premiere screening. Did Styles while sitting down spit on Pine? Why did Pine raise his hands with that knowing smile? The lips were ruined! Something must have happened! Although today Pine’s spokesman says no.
Of course, it would have been crazy for Styles to have pulled such a stunt with an army of cameras pointing at his statement collars.
But the damage was done. Or, look at it another way and a meme was born.
It was the game when Chris Pine became the celebrity of the day. See those photos of him on the red carpet taking pictures of Pugh with a disposable camera? Adorable! Did you know that until recently I still had a flip phone? So illustrated and retro.
How about when he bombed his audition? Avatar? That movie, anyway. Did you know he is afraid of the dark? Wow, she needs a hug.
Any one of those bits of pine could easily be cast in a different light if it weren’t surrounded by the glow of good will. If he was framing himself any other way, he could easily be a weirdo Luddite.
For now, Pine is riding a wave of adoration. Fandoms, however, are fickle. They could turn at any time.
If he’s going to last, Pine should act like he doesn’t care if he’s loved or hated. As far as anyone can tell, he doesn’t know anymore.
That’s what makes him the coolest person alive (right now).