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Can you see it: Vince Vaughn as Jim Rockford
Published: 4/17/2012 2:58 PM
Last Modified: 4/17/2012 2:58 PM

James Garner

Vince Vaughn

James Garner is one of Oklahoma's biggest Hollywood stars, and for all of his most famous roles, it wouldn't surprise me if people judged Jim Rockford -- his disheveled detective from TV's "The Rockford Files" -- as his best role.

Now it appears "The Rockford Files" will be adapted for a motion picture with Vince Vaughn in the titular role.

You would think that they'll need someone with Garner's unique blend of sardonic sensibility and his Okie's self-effacing nature to make it work.

Not everybody can pull off that combination, and then also blend sarcastic comedy with action. The latter is a feature that would obviously be amped up for a motion picture that needs energy for two hours versus TV's episodic nature that allows for slower-paced character development.

Now the question: Is Vince Vaughn the right choice to play Jim Rockford?

He would seem to possess several of the qualities that Garner owned. I would venture so far as to say that Vaughn might be an excellent choice for a "Rockford" film -- and completely wrong if the show were being rebooted as a TV series.

It would be great to know Garner's opinion on this matter. There's no word in the deadline.com exclusive story from the Norman native, who turned 84 on April 7.

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ClanJoyWalkSig (10 months ago)

Can I see Vince Vaughn as James Garner? Not really. I kind of like the guy but James Garner? Not even close... but if he pulls it off I guess we could give him kudos for excellent acting ability, huh?

Tulsa World Movie Critic Michael Smith (10 months ago)

I like Vince Vaughn a great deal, and I think he's more talented than the material he sometimes chooses. But Garner certainly was an original, as well as a natural.

123xyz (10 months ago)

this may be VV's break-out role.

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“I was born a poor, black child” … not me, actually, but Steve Martin’s character in the “The Jerk.” That absurd opening line is just one of the absurd number of film facts, quotes and minutiae contained in movie critic Michael Smith’s brain, at his disposal to toss out on a moment’s notice. It’s a key requirement as Tulsa World film critic to know these things. Michael learned a few other life facts along the way (seven years as a Crystal’s Pizza & Spaghetti manager) before attempting journalism and joining the Tulsa World in 1996, where he’s covered everything from a school shooting in Fort Gibson to a tornado in Stroud to witnessing an execution. A little community theater coverage was sprinkled in there, too. Movies engender many of his happiest memories, from standing in line for “Star Wars” and “Grease” at the Southroads Cinema to the James Bond and Pink Panther movies that always premiered at the enormous Continental Theater.

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2/14/2013		Weekly rewind: February 14
2/14/2013		REVIEW: 'Beautiful Creatures'
2/12/2013		Belgian best picture hopeful 'Amour' opens in Tulsa on Friday
2/10/2013		'Die Hard' marathon at AMC Southroads on Wednesday ends with new film
2/9/2013		Review: 'Identity Thief' a stupid movie from stupid idea
2/8/2013		Oscar audit: Critics choices for best picture hold up over time

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