Friday 8 April 2016

Alternate Best Actor 1971: Oliver Reed in The Devils

Oliver Reed did not receive an Oscar nomination for portraying Father Urbain Grandier in The Devils.

The Devils is at the very least an interesting film about an anti-establishment priest being accused of witchcraft by a deranged nun.

Oliver Reed begins the film serving a very specific purpose, utilizing his apparent status as a heartthrob as he is ogled by the women in the convent due to his physical appearance. Although this will play an important part in terms of the development of the story, that thankfully is not Reed's only purpose within the film. The last two times I covered Oliver Reed it was in supporting roles as characters both shaped by violence. His leading turn here is in contrast to that as a most unusual priest. Now when we first see him he is just going about his duties as you'd expect any decent priest would, that being Reed brings the right solemn qualities as Grandier simply leads his flock so to speak. That is in a moment where he directly attached to being a servant of God though, and we quickly find Grandier is rather extraordinary priest to say this least. This comes to be seen the moment he mounts a different pulpit that being a political one to speak against the injustices attempted by the power hungry Cardinal Richelieu who wishes to persecute the protestants of France. Reed is outstanding in bringing the needed grand passion in Grandier's words as he denounces the Cardinal, and Reed realizes the righteous force which lies within him. Of course his less than ordinary ways as priest continue past the public sphere.

That refers to Grandier having various sexual liaisons with women which are not very well hidden, but again he does not try to either. Now this is an important aspect to the character which Reed develops very well. It is initially shown with Grandier certainly enjoying himself, which Reed does not shy away from suggesting a certain indulgence on the side of Grandier given an obvious lack of respect for one of the women he chooses to break his vows with. However Reed is quite good by providing the right honesty to Grandier's words as he states his lack of belief in the celibacy requirement. Now Reed does say this well, but it could still be seen earlier on as Grandier covering for himself. It goes beyond that when Grandier receives a confession from another woman Madeleine (Gemma Jones) who admits having sexual thoughts, and accidentally admits that they are about Grandier himself. Reed is excellent in this scene though as he calms her concerns by revealing Grandier's own approval of a lack of sexual repression. What's so wonderful about this is the way Reed brings such a tenderness in his words that never seem that of a lusty priest, but rather a benevolent man who believes this to be the intention of God.

Grandier soon take the woman Madeleine to be his wife by marrying her to himself. Reed in the ceremony scene again brings a powerful conviction to the words as Grandier fulfills his duty as a priest and as a husband at the same time. Reed in the moment reveals such a palatable devotion and belief in the ceremony. Reed is excellent in the scene as he seems to eliminate even the very idea that Grandier may at all be a hypocrite in the moment. Instead of seeming a man of going against what he believes, Reed is able to find the genuine fervor in Grandier's words, showing him to be a man of true faith whose actions are always directly connected with this faith. Reed's work is striking as he finds the perfect balance between a man of the world, and a religious priest. Reed is able to show it as one and the same, and in turn is able to develop Grandier as a rather special sort. It is not just a strong willed firebrand for justice, though he is indeed that, but also a true reformer. Reed's work is marvelous as he does not hide the elements of the man that one might normally consider saintly, yet allows you to understand everything that Grandier does that makes him seem to earn a certain degree of sainthood.

Now Oliver Reed essentially plays the one sane man in a mad country it seems, and in turn the one sane actor in a mad film. Now based on the evidence of this film and his later science fiction film Altered States it is obvious that director Ken Russell likely wholly encouraged an actor to go to for the extremes to match his equally flamboyant directorial style. Here the performances range from slightly off to full blown schizophrenia, but I don't mean that necessarily in a bad way. In this instance it works given the material which involves mass hysteria, but I would also say in part due to Oliver Reed. Reed is not in a different film, but he is importantly on a very different wavelength in terms of his approach for Grandier. Reed, much like Grandier himself, avoids the insanity imagined by Russell, just as Grandier avoids the insanity imagined by the nuns. Reed makes his performance very much stand out, in a very good way, by keeping Grandier very much a different person than the world around, by being so different from the film, as he goes about giving a realistic portrayal of this man. Reed acts as a necessary balancing factor in the film as he is steadfast in keeping Grandier as well as his performance wholly detached from the madness around them. 

Of course despite Grandier himself not being part of the mass hysteria, he unfortunately becomes the target of it due to the obsession of one nun in particular as well as because the power that be want him out of the way anyways. Grandier ends up being put in front of kangaroo court where he is accused of his crimes of witchcraft. Reed is excellent again playing so close to the chest which acts in such notable contrast to everyone else who is decidedly not doing so. Reed is very careful in this regard because it is never as though Grandier a meek man to begin, he does not mind speaking his mind, particularly not in the face of such madness. Once again Reed brings such conviction in the words as he tears into those persecuting him, while still connecting such affecting manner by always keeping close the humanity behind Grandier's passion. There is one particularly moving moment in his outrage, as Reed reveals such honest concern in Grandier when he learns that they are trying to use his wife against him as well. Now even Grandier's passion cannot change their minds, and the trial goes as one would expected with Grandier being tortured and sentenced to hang. Reed is devastating to watch in these scenes as he keeps the horror, which could seem absurd, so brutally grounded by making Grandier's physical degradation so painfully straight forward. Reed is most heartbreaking in his portrayal of Grandier losing his resolve to the point that Reed plays his final moments in a resigned disbelief that he has come to such an end. This is a great performance by Oliver Reed by not only anchoring a film, which could have completely fallen of the rails without him, but also by creating an understanding of this man through his effective depiction of this complex man.

92 comments:

Luke Higham said...

YESSSSSSSS!. :)

Ratings & Thoughts on the rest of the cast.

GM said...

The acting is great by the leads. As for the film I prefer Mother Joan of the Angels based on the same events.

Calvin Law said...

I liked the film and Reed but thougt Redgrave (whom I'm not usually a fan of) was absolutely magnificent and the highlight of the film.

Giuseppe Fadda said...

Can't wait to see this.

RatedRStar said...

Is everyone looking forward to the future when Louis will be discussing seeing Oliver Reed and Alan Bates wrestling each other =D?

Anonymous said...

Amazing performance. And Redgrave gave a great performance as well.
Louis: If The American was made in the 70's, who would you have chosen for Clooney's role?

Alex Marqués said...

Louis: which are your top 20 favourite films of the 00s?

Anonymous said...

Just finished Vera Cruz with Gary Cooper and Burt Lancaster. I guess I'll never understand what Cooper's fans love him for.

Anonymous said...

RatedRStar: Good prediction on the Hong Kong awards that Port Of Call would win both Best Actor and Best Supporting Actor.

Anonymous said...

Oliver Reed was definitely a heartthrob, no doubt about it.

Anonymous said...

What is everyone's thoughts on You Only Live Twice (1967)?

RatedRStar said...

Anonymous: I think its a pretty solid bond film with an excellent theme song, which is very powerful, not necessarily because of Nancy Sinatra but because of the opening 5 seconds, na na na nahhh nahhh nahhh nahhhh nahhhhhhh its quite booming... also Louis I notice you didnt rank him but I kinda did like Tetsurō Tamba as Tiger Tanaka in You Only Live Twice as he seemed quite inteligent and on Bonds level for most of the film, minus the silly ending which seemed to think everyone disappeared minus Bond and Suzuki.

RatedRStar said...

I should say that These Boots Are Made for Walkin is a masterpiece though =D.

Anonymous said...

Louis: Rating and thoughts on Denver Pyle in Bonnie and Clyde? I'm kind of surprised at his ranking.

Calvin Law said...

Louis: your top 10 films of 1999 (and everyone else's if you like).

Robert MacFarlane said...

1. Fight Club
2. Magnolia
3. Run Lola Run (it's 1999 by my rules)
4. The Iron Giant
5. The Insider
6. Office Space
7. Boys Don't Cry
8. Galaxy Quest
9. South Park: Bigger, Longer, and Uncut
10. Election

A few years ago The Green Mile would have been here, but I've come to sort of hate that one.

Calvin Law said...

Great choices. For me,

1. The Green Mile (I know what you're talking about though)
2. Magnolia
3. The Insider
4. Tarzan
5. Fight Club
6. Run Lola Run (thanks for reminding me about that one)
7. The Iron Giant
8. Boys Don't Cry
9. A Room for Romeo Brass
10. Girl, Interrupted

Giuseppe Fadda said...

1. Magnolia
2. Eyes Wide Shut (I love it)
3. Boys Don't Cry
4. The Iron Giant
5. Tarzan
6. Being John Malkovich
7. Election

I've yet to see Fight Club, The Insider and The Green Mile. I loved American Beauty the first time I saw it - after a rewatch, I liked it just fine. I don't care for Girl Interrupted and although I like it quite a bit I think the Sixth Sense is a bit overrated. Sweet and Lowdown by Woody Allen is probably my least favorite of the year, it's an extremely dull movie.

Anonymous said...

1. Magnolia
2. Fight Club
3. The Green Mile
4. The Insider
5. The Iron Giant´
6. Tarzan
7. Galaxy Quest
8. Boys Don't Cry
9. Run Lola Run
10. Office Space

Anonymous said...

Oops, forgot about Eyes Wide Shut, which would be my 3#.

Calvin Law said...

Saw Snowpiercer. Very intriguing and entertaining film though I thought it dragged a bit in the midway point, and the finale left a little bit to be desired.

Evans: 4.5
Swinton: 4.5
Song: 3
Hurt: 4
Bell: 3
Spencer: 4
Bremmer: 3
Harris: 4.5

Anonymous said...

Watched a little known gem called Hell in the Pacific, starring Mifune and Marvin, who had great chemistry together.

Robert MacFarlane said...

Just saw Demolition. Gyllenhaal is GREAT. The movie is... not.

Luke Higham said...

Robert: I'm glad to hear it.

Alex Marqués said...

I hope Nocturnal Animals turns out to be good.

Louis Morgan said...

Luke:

Redgrave - 5(Excellent work from her as she gives best crazed performance in the film, probably she actually bothers with the right amount of nuance. She's great in her initial scene as she's just building the obsession in the Sister, and I particularly love just the way she carries herself in such an off manner, even past the sister's disability. Then she properly builds to the full on madness of the sister in the scenes of hysteria and is absolutely spellbinding to watch in every second of these scenes. She's exceptional as a counterpoint to Reed's work by offering the contrast as a person who is so pent up in all of her intense desires, against the man so at ease with his own. Again even in the overt madness Redgrave effectively pulls it back somewhat in her fascinating depiction of the sister's attempt to comprehend what it is that she has done. It's easily the best I've seen from her)

Sutton - 2.5(He's fine but there's nothing too notable about his work.)

Jones - 3(Her part is fairly limited but I felt she brought the right sort of grace needed for the role)

Melvin - 3(Felt he was decent most of the time but did not make too much of an impact. I thought his final reaction though was pretty great)

Armitage - 3(I thought his performance was pretty interesting in that he brought a flamboyance to his King yet still managed to a certain command. I would not have minded to have seen him explore the character a bit more)

Gothard - 3.5(Pure insanity to be sure, and brings far less nuance than Redgrave. However I still found his performance was quite compelling in just how far off the deep he goes, and fit the hysterical scenes well)

Anonymous:

Steve McQueen

Alex:

Not ranked.

In Bruges
Zodiac
The Assassination of Jesse James
Children of Men
Lord of the Rings Trilogy
Memento
The Prestige
Hot Fuzz
The Lives of Others
King of Kong
No Country For Old Men
There Will Be Blood
Inglourious Basterds
The Dark Knight
Casino Royale
The Proposition
The Road to Perdition
Mulholland Drive

Anonymous:

My problem with Pyle is that, while entertaining, his performance feels out of place within the film. He acts as though he's in a slightly absurd western, as the evil Sheriff. This does have to do with the writing of the character who also seems out of place given the tone of the rest of the film.

Calvin:

1. Magnolia
2. The Straight Story
3. The Green Mile
4. The Insider
5. Galaxy Quest
6. South Park: Bigger Longer and Uncut
7. Office Space
8. The Sixth Sense
9. Ravenous
10. The Mummy

Robert MacFarlane said...

Does the high placement of Insider mean you'll upgrade Crowe?

Michael McCarthy said...

Louis: What are your thoughts on the South Park movie, and are you a fan of the show?

Robert MacFarlane said...

I love the South Park movie despite otherwise loathing the show.

Calvin Law said...

Crowe's by far my win for 1999 lead, and I do like Farnsworth and Osment's performances a great deal.

Calvin Law said...

Anonymous: Hell in the Pacific sounds intriguing. Mifune and Marvin sound like a great combo.

Luke Higham said...

Louis: What's Redgrave's category placement and where would you rank her.

Anonymous said...

Louis: What are your cast and directors for:
The Thin Red Line (1950's and 1960's)
Saving Private Ryan (1970's and 1980's)

Anonymous said...

Made another mistake. The Straight Story is my fourth favorite film of the top ten, not The Insider.

Calvin Law said...

Anonymous: I'll have a crack if you don't mind :)

The Thin Red Line (1950's) directed by Fred Zinnemann
Private Witt: Montgomery Clift
Sgt. Welsh: Burt Lancaster
Captain Staros: Van Johnson
Private Bell: Ralph Meeker
Lieutenant Tall: Lee J. Cobb
Captain Gaff: James Garner
Pfc Doll: Tony Curtis
Seargent Keck: Eli Wallach

1960's: Trickier but I'll proposition Jean-Pierre Melville, with George C Scott as Welsh, and Sterling Hayden as Tall. I'd suggest Alain Delon as Witt but I don't know whether he speaks/spoke English well enough.

Saving Private Ryan (1970's)
Directed by Terrence Malick (wouldn't it be interesting to see his take on SPR?)
Miller: Gene Hackman
Reiben: James Caan
Hovarth: Robert Duvall
Ryan: Martin Sheen
Jackson: Keith Carradine
Mellish: Tony Roberts
Caparzo: (no idea)
Wade: Sam Shepard
Upham: John Cazale

As for 1980's...unsure as well. Definitely have Mark Hamill in there as Upham though.

Louis Morgan said...

Robert: My view of the film has never really changed, but really I'd say Crowe's performance is worthy of a higher rating anyways.

Michael:

The movie is the best thing one can associate with the show as it works as a musical, as part of the show, and even as parody yet still somewhat straight faced example of the Disney style animated feature. I like the show as a well but it has always been somewhat hit and miss. Most recently it's just mostly miss.

Luke:

Lead, though I would not really protest too much if someone put her in supporting, where she would be my win.

Anonymous:

The Thin Red Line 1960's directed by Robert Wise

Private Witt: Jon Voight
Sgt. Welsh: George C. Scott
Captain Staros: Stephen Boyd
Private Bell: Harvey Keitel
Colonel Tall: Sterling Hayden
Captain Gaff: Robert Redford
Pfc Doll: Sam Elliott
Sergent Keck: Rip Torn

Saving Private Ryan 1980's directed by Martin Scorsese:

Miller: Robert De Niro
Reiben: Kevin Bacon
Hovarth: James Woods
Ryan: Timothy Hutton
Jackson: James Spader
Mellish: Sean Penn
Caparzo: John Turturro
Wade: Johnny Depp
Upham: John Hawkes

Calvin:

Sylvester Stallone for 70's Carpazo by the way.

Louis Morgan said...

Luke:

Look for the commas Luke! She'd be my win in lead

Luke Higham said...

Louis: :)

Have you seen the recent trailers for Rogue One, Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them and Suicide Squad. If so, what did you make of them.

Calvin Law said...

I think Rogue One looks promising, Fantastic Beasts looks fine, Suicide Squad seems okay. Personalyl though in terms of 'trailered' films I'm definitely most looking forward to BFG and Civil War.

Calvin Law said...

Also, Stallone, perfect!

Louis Morgan said...

Luke:

Rogue One: Visually looks great, kind of like Godzilla, hopefully the story will be stronger than it was in that film. Jones looks good, Whitaker looks like he's trying, Mendelsohn looks cool in the Imperial Garb but I hope he does not pull a Dark Knight Rises(which was his last foray into the Blockbuster).

Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them: Looks fine I guess.

Suicide Squad: Whoever cut that second trailer deserves some sort of award. However even if the movie's good I doubt that's going to be a wholly honest representation of it.

Anonymous said...

Louis: Is there a performance that is a 2 to you that could be downgraded to a 1,5?

Calvin Law said...

I have no idea what Whitaker was going for in that Rogue One trailer but suffice to say I'm intrigued.

Louis: what did you think of the BFG trailer?

Calvin Law said...

Question: do any of you count television films in your yearly film rankings? I'm considering doing so having just seen Citizen X, and am considering giving it my Best Picture runner-up, Best Actor runner-up for Stephen Rea, and Best Supporting Actor to either Donald Sutherland or Jeffrey DeMunn.

Luke Higham said...

Calvin: I've no hesitation in considering TV Films, though I've seen about 45-50.

Louis Morgan said...

Anonymous:

I'm sure there probably are.

Calvin:

Looks like it will probably be fun, though I have to admit I would have preferred if they did the giants the old fashioned way given that Rylance pretty much already looked the part to begin with.

Luke:

By the way an unfortunate side note on Suicide Squad is it includes one of the most extreme casting downgrades in recent memory that being going from Tom Hardy to Joel Kinnaman.

Calvin Law said...

But if Hardy had committed to Suicide Squad he wouldn't have been able to do The Revenant :)

Calvin Law said...

I mean I find it odd Hardy was cast as Rick Flag in the first place, it just seems like such a...bland role. In fact that's the problem I have with some of the casting choices. Will Smith, really? And I'm not as crazy about Robbie from the trailers as many seem to be. The only performances from that film I'm intrigued to see would be Davis, Courtney, and to an extent Leto.

Anonymous said...

Watched a Korean War movie called The Hunters with Mitchum. Eh, it was watchable enough, not good as The Enemy Below, but a fine performance from Mitchum and fine cinematography made it worth watching.

Calvin Law said...

Lastly: I agree with you about Rylance, although to be fair they've done well to replicate his usual demeanour.

Louis Morgan said...

Calvin:

Yes I know the Hardy recasting had to be done for the greater good, but Kinnaman was about the worst they could have come with. And you know Flag will seem extra bland with an actor as bland as Kinnaman. I'm sure Hardy could have come up with something to make Flag stand out, that's pretty much what he does.

I think many are already praising Robbie because Harley Quinn is indeed a great character. I think her performance could go either way myself.

Anonymous said...

Louis: Which directors do you think might have handled Stanley Kramer's films better?

Calvin Law said...

True. I mean I would say at least they're casting to type, Kinnaman's best performance has been in the tv series The Killing where he plays a straight ace detective sort, least they're not doing a Child 44 on him again haha.

Louis Morgan said...

Anonymous:

As a director no one exactly, well except for at least Guess Who's Coming to Dinner I have no idea what he was thinking with that one. He was usually a pretty good director though. Breaking this down is interesting since Kramer did not write his films. He did produce almost all of them, and it is there I imagined he influenced the screenwriters to handle the messages of the films the way they did. Perhaps a different producer could have been the right sort of balancing factor for his films.

Calvin:

I think a good example of what Tom Hardy could have brought can already be seen in that most recent UK trailer. When Flag's announcing the rules to the Squad Kinnaman just barks every one of them the same way, a straight order. I doubt that would have been the way Hardy would have handled it particularly the vex line, which judging from Hardy's other performances he probably would have made it slightly comedic.

Calvin Law said...

Definitely.

Speaking of (previously) underwhelming actors, would you be interested in checking out any of Nicolas Hoult's other film roles? I didn't dare mention them before as I knew you weren't a fan, but I feel Mad Max might be enough to compel you to check out Warm Bodies where he's actually quite good in. Not review worthy but worth a look.

Luke Higham said...

Calvin: Have you seen Kill Your Friends with Hoult.

And your rating for Hugo Weaving in V For Vendetta. I might request him next.

Luke Higham said...

Louis: Is Vanessa Redgrave, now off your ten overrated actresses list.

Anonymous said...

Louis: Is Peck's performance in Duel in the Sun one of those performances that could be downgraded to a 1,5?

Louis Morgan said...

Luke:

I'm afraid I just noticed I forgot to list the V for Vendetta cast, I actually saw it in the theater back in 2006.

No to your second question. I never thought her untalented. She's on the list due to seeing how so many would say she was the best part of films like Atonement, Prick up Your Ears, and Howard's End which I've always found baffling.

Anonymous:

Yes.

Luke Higham said...

Louis: Your ratings for the cast of V For Vendetta. If you can't recall much of the film since your initial viewing, could you give it another watch, when you cover 2006 again.

Anonymous said...

Louis: What are your top 10 most badass actors?

Robert MacFarlane said...

Hoo boy, V for Vendetta. That was one silly movie. And Portman was even worse there than Star Wars.

Calvin Law said...

Well all I can say is I respectfully disagree Robert :)

Weaving: 4
Portman: 5
Rea: 4
Fry: 3.5
Hurt: 4
Wightman: 4
Everyone else: 3

Calvin Law said...

Luke: Haven't yet but I want to.

GM said...

Portman is such a mediocre actress.

Calvin Law said...

GM: I must confess I've thoroughly liked her in everything I've seen her in bar the Star Wars prequels, and The Other Boelyn Girl.

Calvin Law said...

Louis: thoughts on James Franco, Sarah Gadon and Chris Cooper in 11.22.63, as well as the series overall (surprised how high it is on your King list).

Robert MacFarlane said...

I honestly think Portman was bafflingly bad in Vendetta. Even as Padme she wasn't so devoid of charisma, presence, or range. Might be the one of the worst of the 2000's.

Louis Morgan said...

Luke:

I should give it a re-watch but I remember enough.

Portman - 1.5(Perhaps I'm being generous but I'll give some benefit of the doubt here. Her accent and performance more often than not came off quite phony as recall. Her transition period later on in the film I found was particularly lacking as she was suppose to be changed person, but all we really got was the artifice of a bald head thanks to Portman's rather bland performance. The whole time I was really waiting for the devastation but she never brought it particularly not in her pivotal Andy Dufrense moment.)

Weaving - 3.5(He could go up if I re-watched it I suppose. Weaving though does do some memorable work vocally to be sure. I like the pseduo poetic way he says every line as though he's vocalizing his particularly philosophy at every point, while still managing to carry a definite menace at the same time. It's good performance especially given that he enables V to stand out as a presence even while always bearing the same expression.)

Fry - 3(Doing his usual thing but it worked well in this case)

Rea - 3.5(Really need to re-watch for him but I recall he did his disaffected inspector, who finds a bit of inspiration, rather well.)

Hurt - 4(My clearest memory of the film actually as I loved every minute of his gloriously vicious and flamboyant portrayal of an old fashioned fascist dictator.)

Anonymous:

Purely based upon cinematic presence.

1. Toshiro Mifune
2. Clint Eastwood
3. James Coburn
4. Lee Marvin
5. Samuel L. Jackson
6. Harrison Ford
7. Charles Bronson
8. Russell Crowe
9. Gene Hackman
10. Steve McQueen

Calvin:

I don't mind saying that I loved pretty much every second of the series as I thought it was incredibly taught as a thriller, but also packed such a surprising emotional punch.

Franco - (I am far from a Franco fan, but I really loved his performance here. He completely drops any of his usual shtick, not leaving a hint of mannerisms, or high faces here. He instead goes for really a special sort of old school charisma, and absolutely pulls it off without a hitch. It's a challenge of a role given the often reactive nature of his character yet I felt Franco really brought the weight to every moment of his character's struggle to change time, and he made me invested throughout. What stood out most for me was.....)

Gadon - (his chemistry with her. They are perfect together and that unspoken quality of soulmates can be felt between them here. They are pitch perfect and made the romantic side of the show completely heartbreaking. Past that I loved Gadon's performance on her own as well. I found she captured just the right tone for his performance that allowed her character to be of her time, but never seemed like a parody. Past that though I really loved the way she managed to capture this innate charm and grace to her character, while still finding an inherit strength about her all the same. Simply marvelous work.)

Cooper - (Also a great performance that sets the tone incredibly well in the first episode and all of his brief returns are more than welcome. Cooper brings his usual gruff presence that as usual works well, but he goes further than that in developing such a palatable undercurrent of emotion to his performance that reveals so poignantly what compels his character)

Calvin Law said...

Oh wow. Really need to check it out now.

Also I guess I'm definitely in the minority regarding Portman, it's my second favourite performance of hers after Leon.

Giuseppe Fadda said...

Thoughts on T.R. Knight in 11.22.63? I've heard he's good and I personally liked him a lot in Grey's Anatomy.

L Rime said...

You guys ever watch a movie multiple times that you normally wouldn't, mostly because one actor in the movie made it worth it?

Louis Morgan said...

Giuseppe:

Knight - (I thought he was very good at doing almost a deranged version of sort of Karl Malden's character in A Streetcar Named Desire. He brought that certain proper early sixities manner while being quite unnerving with how ill fitting it is to the mess which Knight shows to be going on beneath the surface.)

L.Rime:

Can't say that I have for that specific reason.

Anonymous said...

Louis: What are your thoughts on these film characters:
T.E. Lawrence
Charles Foster Kane
Michael Corleone
George Bailey
Atticus Finch

Luke Higham said...

Louis:
Henry VIII
Thomas More
Thomas Cromwell
Anakin Skywalker
Obi-Wan Kenobi

Giuseppe Fadda said...

Louis what are your ratings and thoughts on Ian Richardson and Patrick Magee in Marat/Sade? I've just seen the movie and I thought Glenda Jackson was amazing but Patrick Magee was quite great too. I have a few problems with Richardson's performance but he was good too.

Calvin Law said...

Giuseppe: I really want to see that! It sounds intriguing and I never knew Ian Richardson was in it. He's one of my favourite actors; he gives my all-time favourite performance in anything as Francis Urqhart in House of Cards, and is utterly brilliant in Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, and good in everything else I've seen him in.

Anonymous said...

Just watched Middle of the Night. Wow, I was amazed with March's performance.

Anonymous said...

Giuseppe: They should be saved for bonus rounds

Giuseppe Fadda said...

What are your ratings and thoughts on Nathalie Delon and Cathy Rosier in Le Samurai?

Anonymous said...

Hi, Louis! I follow your blog for quite sometime and I really like it. I have a question for you. In your opinion, what would your top 10 most complex characters on screen be?

Tahmeed Chowdhury said...

Louis: Will the review be up tomorrow?

Luke Higham said...

Louis: What are your Top 10 Actors & Actresses in interviews. e.g. Richard Harris

Anonymous said...

Louis: Which special effects do you find more impressive? Those of King Kong (1933) or those of The Invisible Man?

Louis Morgan said...

Anonymous & Luke:

I feel I've sort of covered the characters within the reviews in some way.

Giuseppe:

Magee - 4(I forgot to include him in 67 rankings because I was still wondering his proper placement. Magee though is very good in the role and I like how he stands out specifically as a man who is not part of the direct madness despite being the man orchestrating it. Magee carries the right almost demented reserve of sorts as the ideas of Sade seem to exude from him, while the weight of his current predicament seems to weigh on him. It's a very good performance, and I greatly prefer to Geoffrey Rush's take on the character)

Richardson did not leave too much of an impression on me, I thought he was just fine, but he fell into the rest of the cast, which is not a terrible thing, for me unlike Jackson and Magee.

Rosier - 3.5(I liked her performance despite its simplicity. She managed though within that simplicity to really stand still as a real person and not just a plot device for the Samurai's character arc. She does not waste the little time she has to establish as someone more than the limited character we see)

Delon - 4(She's good in that she finds the right unsaid chemistry with her husband onscreen, and allows that to be given. However the less savory elements of her character I felt she realized particularly well as she finds a very genuine motivation to them making her seem far less simplistic and unlikable than she might have otherwise)

Anonymous:

Thanks. And not a definitive list but here you go:


1. T.E. Lawrence
2. Michael Corleone
3. Antonio Salieri
4. Evelyn Cross
5. George Bailey
6. Lancaster Dodd
7. Norma Desmond
8. Robert Ford
9. Scarlett O'Hara
10. Daniel Plainview

Luke:

How about a good old fashioned top five.

1. Richard Harris
2. Peter Ustinov
3. Stephen Tobolowsky
4. Peter Cushing
5. Dustin Hoffman

Anonymous:

King Kong but they're both impressive.

Anonymous said...

Louis: What are in your opinion the worst one-dimensional characters in films?

Calvin Law said...

So I just watched Missisipi Grind again and I think I've grown to love it. Mendelsohn and Reynolds are now both 5's for me.

Anonymous said...

Watched Gentleman Jim. I have to say this is Flynn's best performance I've seen. He's a strong 4,5 verging on a 5. Ward Bond was also great and he could be easily the best supporting performance of 1942.

Louis Morgan said...

Anonymous:

Hmm that's a difficult one to narrow down, so I'll randomly do it out of best picture winners.

1. Isiah - Cimarron
2. All minor supporting characters - Gentleman's Agreement
3. The Union Solidiers - Dances With Wolves
4. Billie "The Blue Bear" Osterman - Million Dollar Baby
5. Javed Kahn - Slumdog Millionaire
6. Ria - Crash
7. Freddy - My Fair Lady
8. Cal - Titanic
9. Harry - The Greatest Show on Earth
10. German Pilot - Mrs. Miniver

ruthiehenshallfan99 said...

Louis: To Freddy's credit, he does have Bill Shirley's singing voice.

Anonymous said...

Louis: In your opinion, what was the worst scene of Gentleman's Agreement? I'd say that lecture Peck gives to his Jewish secretary was the worst one. I found Peck's character pretty arrogant in that one scene.

Louis Morgan said...

Anonymous:

I must agree.