America is the only country that could name a dream after itself and get away with it. This is a country that looks ever upwards even as, in some estimations, it slips ever backwards. Every American you meet is simply a momentarily fallen billionaire, leading man, or president. During my first Uber ride from LAX a few years ago, the driver pitched me a highly lucrative podcast concept that he’d be happy to co-host with me, pending auditions and contracts and chemistry, of course. Later, the waitress at our diner asked us if we’d seen any good scripts recently that might require a blonde female lead like her, and perhaps we’d like to take away some headshots with our fries. (This was in a Wahlburgers, by the way – the syndicated burger-and-wing joint co-owned by actor Mark Wahlberg. Can you imagine writing that sentence about an English star?)
In New York, on my first visit, I noticed how my skin felt literally electrified as I set foot on one of those long, straight avenues that seems perfectly aligned with the rising sun. A doorman told me later that this was simply static electricity, caused by the wind rushing uninterrupted down the gridded streets and brushing against the fibres of my coat. I’m still not entirely convinced.
And then there’s Miami, which used to be a Will Smith song and a punchline, but which is now having the last laugh – a place, as I document, that has elevators specifically for your Porsches (plural), and is filling up with rich and successful people at wildly unprecedented rates, and encouraging those rich and successful people to have as jolly and fruitful a time as possible.
Down there, they’ll tell you that the American Dream didn’t die – it just moved to the beach and took up pickleball and made millions off a celebrity tequila. Bryan Cranston, our cover star, is a version of that dream writ large. He was born and raised in Hollywood, the son of a radio actress and a boxer-turned-actor, in a home wracked by alcoholism, conflict and neglect. His journey, over a few decades, to become the leading man of that same neighbourhood – square-jawed, twinkly-eyed, magnetic – is like a great cosmic boomerang, arcing through a succession of bit parts, obscure roles, an excellent turn as the put-upon Hal in Malcolm in the Middle, and finally to critical and public adoration, at the age of 52, for his role in Breaking Bad.
In the issue, he tells Jonathan Wells how, in his early twenties and when dipping his toes into acting, he came up with a personal credo: “To discover something that I really loved, and to learn how to get really good at it – as opposed to going after something I was already really good at, but didn’t love.” It is as good a take on the pursuit of happiness as any.
The other side of the dream, however, is big and dark and orange. Only America, perhaps, could stumble upon someone like Donald Trump – the figure chronicled so sharply by Michael Wolff, who we interview – and turn him, through some nutty-professor process, from a Manhattan party boy and reality TV villain to a potentially twice-elected president.
Wolff has become a one-man Trump-adjacent industry and, in a highly American way, sees him as an almost personal gift that keeps on giving. Trump’s story, he thinks, will soon turn out to be “bigger, more profound, more complicated, more terrifying, more indecipherable than anyone ever thought,” as we hurtle towards the 2024 election. “From the beginning, one always felt this is going to end badly – that this is going to be a trainwreck that hits the wall. And one still feels that – except the wall seems to recede ever further.” The obvious truth of American life is that you cannot get the Cranstons without the Trumps. This is the potent spell of America, from this side of the pond, at least. There will always be something exhilarating, intoxicating and maddeningly beautiful in the rush of the train and the approach of the breeze blocks.
Editor’s American Issue Picks
Crockett & Jones Boston Country Calf Grain Loafer
A classic dark-brown penny loafer, with high-walled round toe and City rubber sole.
Heigold Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Seasonally spicy tasting notes include candied orange, cinnamon, clove and liquorice.
Thom Sweeney Merino Single-Breasted Shawl Cardigan
Featuring two patch pockets, this shawl-collar cardigan is nothing short of a winter and spring staple.
Luca Faloni Navy Blue Cashmere Cotton Shirt
Streamlined, elegant and crafted in Italy, with the brand’s signature Paramontura collar.
This feature was taken from Gentleman’s Journal’s Winter 2023 issue. Read more about it here.
Want more from the issue? Here’s our cover interview with Bryan Cranston…
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