Exactly....

I wish I had your talent for saying in 6 words what I was trying to say in my reply.

Actors are NOT in control. $ is in control. Actors today.. many of them anyway... could do just as well, perhaps some better, than actors of old given the right screenplay. ALTHOUGH... I will say this... there is something, undefinable, that actors possess and talent alone won't overcome. Screen Presence. Some have it, some don't.

When you are watching Gregory Peck, or Ingrid Bergman,, (both GREAT actors), you can't turn away from them due to screen presence. They suck you in, capture you.

Some actors today I think possess that quality, actually. George Clooney is quite good at that. Watch his performance in "Oh Brother Where Art Thou".... he's mesmerizing. His choice in movies not all that great, but not bad. Meryl Streep has it, IMHO.