Ron Howard’s Surprising Confession About His Own ‘Glaring Flaw’ – And Why We Still Love Him
Let’s be honest – when you hear the name Ron Howard, you don’t exactly think of reckless abandon or chaotic genius. You think of sturdy, heartfelt storytelling. The kind of films your dad cries at during the last reel. But the man himself? He’s just admitted there’s a glaring flaw running through his entire career. And frankly, it’s brilliant to hear him say it.
Sitting down for a rare, unguarded chat, the former Opie Cunningham turned Oscar-winning director confessed that his greatest weakness might actually be... trying too hard to get it right. No kidding. The man who gave us Apollo 13, A Beautiful Mind and Frost/Nixon says he’s often been so terrified of making a mess that he forgets to let the mess in. “I’ve always wanted control," he admitted. “But control isn’t always what a scene needs." You can almost hear every indie filmmaker in Shoreditch nodding furiously.
It’s a surprising bit of self-flagellation from a bloke who’s been in the game since he was a toddler. Remember Ronald Howard? No, not the 1950s actor – I’m talking about little Ronny, playing Opie on The Andy Griffith Show at age five. That’s right: he’s been directing his own life since before most of us could tie our shoes. And yet, even after all those Oscars and box-office smashes, he reckons his films lack a certain... dangerous spark.
To be fair, he’s got a point. Think about his filmography. It’s packed with beautifully crafted, emotionally intelligent pictures. But when was the last time a Ron Howard movie genuinely shocked you? Exactly. That’s the flaw he’s talking about – a tendency to sand down the jagged edges until everything fits just so.
Take a wander down memory lane, and you’ll see what I mean:
- The Grinch - DVD – Jim Carrey going bonkers in green fur. Howard’s version is wonderfully weird, but even then, you feel the family-friendly safety net underneath. (Still, that DVD remains a Christmas staple in millions of British homes – mine included.)
- Willow DVD Clear – Ah, the 1988 fantasy romp that launched a thousand “peck" jokes. You can still find Willow DVDs in clearance bins across the UK, and honestly? Snag one. It’s pure, unpretentious fun. But Howard himself has hinted he wishes he’d pushed the dark fantasy elements further.
- Da Vinci Code 10th Anniversary – Now here’s a curious beast. The 2016 re-release (marking a decade of Tom Hanks running through European churches) reminded us just how slick and polished Howard can be. It’s a thriller that rarely thrills. But it sold like hot cross buns. Go figure.
What I love about this confession is the timing. Just as we’re seeing a wave of directors apologising for nothing, Ron Howard – the nicest man in Hollywood – decides to publicly flag his own so-called failure. It’s almost endearing. He’s not trying to be edgy or court controversy. He’s just... being Ron. And maybe that’s the real magic.
Because here’s the thing: that “glaring flaw" – the need for control, the polished sheen – it’s also why his best films work. Apollo 13 wouldn’t be the same white-knuckle ride without his obsessive attention to detail. A Beautiful Mind lands its emotional punches because he never lets the chaos overwhelm the story. So go on, Ron. Keep being too tidy. We’ll keep watching. And next time you’re clearing out those old Willow DVDs, save one for me.