>>274 An excellent hypothesis. None of these points are mutually exclusive. It is a given fact that the majority of his glory projects flopped. He's a man driven to success- that would have stung and caused him to consider alternative fast-track methods which he would have otherwise shunned. Herald in the Swift Experience.
I still think it's most likely a combination of all points. It sure as shit wasn't true love since the exit was so "swift" and the method so uncharacteristically flagrant. As you point out, none of the options are appealing. He's either a famewhore or a faker or desperate.
I'm left wondering just how hard it is to be in a loving normal relationship when you're famous. Others seem to manage just fine, and perhaps that is the key- they are not as overtly MANAGED.
I have always felt TH is a little too handled by his minders.
FFS TH, just hook up with a hot chick you really like and be normal. It's not that hard and it's appealing to see someone have genuine feels for someone. Once a month maybe parade that shit if you have to. Be exclusive. How about trying to be an enigma again. That worked.
As for his acting, I am similarly fenced but consider ISTL was most likely his best role in terms of character immersion, the shit director should take no credit. Future roles are the test for me, as to whether he has finally shaken his stage presence on film.
>>275 I think on one level it is easy to have a relationship while famous. Date someone who is not in the business, keep them largely out of the public eye (no Hello spreads) but don't be all weird about it - if you have a big RC event where it would be normal to appear with your spouse, take them along. And stay as far away from the Hollywood machine as possible. Even quite big stars manage this: most of the Brits, and people like Jessic Chastain who is open that she has a BF and is normal about it (e.g. she posts the occasional IG pic of him when you might expect someone to post a pic of their SO).
Where it gets hard, I totally agree, is where you have a big Hollywood entourage of lickspittles and hangers on. There are three reasons: first, they kiss up so much that you lose all perspective of what is normal and who you are. Second, you are paying them a lot and so they want to "add value" so you can see they are doing things. This leads them to interfere in areas such as your personal life when they ought to let well alone. Third, the advisors have been deep within the Hollywood machine for years, and so their bright ideas are 90% shit/bonkers.