Dear Editor,

I am writing to express my opposition to the quotation attributed to Jennifer Lawrence published in your magazine.

First of all, actors or actresses can actually “save” someone’s life indirectly. Take Tom Hanks, an Academy Award-winning actor, who was inspired by the performances of Spencer Tracy. Hanks admired Tracy’s ability to bring depth and authenticity to his characters, which motivated him to pursue a career in acting. Before discovering Spencer Tracy, Tom’s dream was to become a basketball player. Thanks to acting, Hanks is now renowned for his talent, versatility, and philanthropy. In my view, had he not embraced his acting talent, he would not have achieved the same level of success today if he had persisted in becoming a basketball player. Therefore, in a sense, Spencer Tracy “saved” Tom’s life by inspiring a pivotal change in direction.

Secondly, watching movies allows people to temporarily escape from reality. Consider the Korean romantic drama series “True Beauty”. It tells the story of an unattractive teenage girl who transforms into a beautiful young woman and falls in love with an extremely handsome boy after learning to apply makeup. Although the plot is unrealistic, it has captivated young girls who dream of such romances. From my perspective, these romantic films enable viewers to forget their worries and fears about relationships. To be honest, acting is not stupid but rather interesting for both actors and the audience.

Last but not least, a movie may profoundly influence society. Take “Barbie”, for example. This film is not just a childish animation but a meaningful commentary on gender equality. Public opinion was ignited following the release of “Barbie”. Some men expressed feeling offended by the film, believing patriarchal structures should be maintained. Conversely, women began to gain self-confidence and a stronger sense of self. As you can see, this movie was powerful; it awakened women to the reality of patriarchy and marked a significant step forward for women’s rights. Thus, acting is far from stupid; it has the potential to change the world.

To sum up, acting is not stupid in the slightest. Although it does not save lives directly, it changes and encourages lives. Therefore, acting is a significant and impactful art form, and actors play an essential role in society.

Yours sincerely,

Chris Wong

---

Editor’s Remarks:

This letter to the editor was written in response to in the February issue of Vanity Fair, an American monthly magazine of popular culture, fashion, and current affairs published by Condé Nast in the United States.