Katharine McPhee has signed on to make her film debut in The Last Caller. In the indie flick, described as a dark romantic comedy, McPhee will star (but not sing) as a self-obsessed woman who “searches for love, hope and meaning during a few random events with other urban seekers.” As she told The Hollywood Reporter: “This is the first thing that I read that I really wanted to do. I’m up for a couple of big studio projects, but they weren’t starring roles. I wanted to start off doing something a little different. It’s something that a lot of people wouldn’t expect me doing.”
OK, fine, good for her. I’m sure moviegoers the world over can now look forward to catching the McPheever. But, the lead role right off the bat? Certainly, it worked out with golden results for fellow American Idol alum Jennifer Hudson. But, in general, I’m a big fan of the walk-before-you-run theory on pretty much everything — acting, knitting, skydiving, electrical wiring, you name it.
(Note to potential commenters: Yes, I realize that Katharine was in high school plays, studied musical theater at the Boston Conservatory and had a scattering of roles before she faced the gauntlet of Simon, Randy and Paula. That still doesn’t automatically equate to “Hey, look at me carry this entire movie by myself.” Now that I’ve said this, I’m sure her film will go on to be the sleeper hit of the year, win all manner of shiny statuettes and Barbara Walters will make her cry in her annual soft-focus Oscars extravaganza .. )
Plus, I’m not exactly sure when every singer decided she wanted to be an actress and every actor decided he wanted to be a singer, but I can’t help but think that they are two very different skills. Being prodigiously talented in one does not naturally make you prodigiously talented in the other. And don’t these people get tired? I mean, I do one thing, write, and I’m exhausted constantly. I couldn’t imagine if all of a sudden I decided, “You know what, one profession isn’t enough for me. And I’ve always wanted to make origami with steel. I think I’m going to become an industrial sculptor, too! Plus, I look great in a jumpsuit. Who has a blowtorch?”
