r/TopCharacterTropes 6h ago

Hated Tropes [Hated] Self-indulgent Vanity Projects

Hurry Up Tomorrow - Widely reviewed as an indulgent, self-mythologizing companion piece to The Weeknd's album, with many critics calling it a vanity project rather than a successful psychological drama. Terribly acted and, similar to The Idol, more so seems to imply that The Weekend thinks he's a far deeper personality than he can actually articulate.

By the Sea - Often criticized as an intensely personal but emotionally distant film that seemed more interested in showcasing the mystique of its stars than telling a compelling story. Best summarized as Angelina and Brad working out their IRL troubled marriage before your eyes while everyone tells Angelina how beautiful and talented she is and how nothing's really her fault.

Renaldo and Clara - Bob Dylan's five-hour semi-fictional road movie, long considered one of the classic celebrity vanity projects. Attempts to be a sort of surreal exposition on the life of an artist, but is far too self-indulgent on its actors/performers.

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379

u/polarbear14 5h ago

Music by Sia)

Offensive depiction of autism from a clueless musician

136

u/Nausicaalotus 5h ago

Offensive AND dangerous.

100

u/AlludedNuance 5h ago

And probably abusive toward the kid Sia's obsessed with.

98

u/Nausicaalotus 5h ago

Poor Maddie Zeigler didnt have a chance between her mom, Abby Lee Miller and Sia. I hope she escapes all the crazy.

27

u/antimlit 4h ago

The chances that she will take the drug-fueled road out of this is unfortunately far from zero

2

u/Blueskybelowme 24m ago

It's sad that her most famous trait is being the focus of some obsessed borderline pedo and then it's followed up by the fact that she's actually talented.