by Max Davies

Created on: January 04, 2007   Last Updated: May 09, 2007

The Pick-up Artist (starring Molly Ringwald, Robert Downey Jr.)

The opening scene sets the vain, narcissistic, self-oriented image of the seducer, juxtaposed by the constant rehearsal of lines denoting lack of self-confidence and already showing a man divided by the unsure way he practices his name (Jack Jericho) aka Walls of Jericho' foreshadow that Jack will come falling down.

Later in the movie we find that he lives with his grandmother both a sign of his immaturity and also his responsibility again division.

Jack has several openings that work to accomplish the core pick-up traits needed for seduction.
The first level of this is his formulaic use of the Botticelli-Degas compliment. This is simultaneously ambiguous, aesthetically sophisticated (or at least implied), and erotic insomuch as most of these women were nudes.
The second level is to keep conversation flowing so that he can get more personal information (situational data), possibly use negs' if conversation requires via the female's stance or attitude towards him.
Situational data allows him to personalize general openings. Hence the Brandi Jensen case, the Celia case, and his nun attempt.

I found his use of his real name quite unexpected, and although the means available to the 1980's pick-up artist may have been less so than now in an age of cell phones, email, call-waiting, etc. he still manages to use what he has well (ex: the map).

He (Jack) finds himself attracted to Brandi largely because she has initially given the prude front, later turned refined libertine (ala Madam Volanges), and more challenging play for his sport via her reversal of seduction in game form via Baudrillard.

Much of the movie could be mapped out on a progression of the Art of Seduction' of Greene on general principle especially the strategic value of the sheet of phone numbers for both him and her in their respective ways -Rubicon vs. bargaining chip.

One of the key points that helped him seduce Brandi so effectively is the use of skills held in reserve (both in timing and surprise/ mystery "the half is greater than the whole.") two examples of this are the subway mugger, and the basketball game at the carnival. The game and its arbitrary rules as another confirmation of Baudrillard's politics of seduction.

Age played an odd factor in the movie with Jack at 21 and Brandi at 19. As worldly as Jack portrays himself through his comments, Brandi has remarkable acuity for her age.

Jack's pick-up artist desire seems compulsive, which is rather repugnant when seen in action, as it distorts his whole life as a constant pursuit. Jack Jericho could easily be a Ross Jeffries fanatic in action.

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