For today's exercise - which might appeal primarily to film buffs - begin by thinking of a movie that has remained in your mind or is familiar to you, for whatever reason. This post was inspired by my recent re-watch of Four Weddings and a Funeral.
Step #2: Recall a powerful scene - length doesn't matter - featuring an actor/actress who is not a household name, i.e., someone who would likely not be widely recognized in public. Step #3: Describe briefly how or why or what in particular is seared into your memory about that performance in that specific scene. Think of the scene as the rough equivalent of a one hit wonder with no disrespect aimed at the actor you select. That actor may be continuing to reliably ply their trade today and perhaps he/she has delivered many equally credible screen performances before and/or after the scene you'll briefly describe.
About 2/3 through Four Weddings and a Funeral, the eponymous funeral scene features John Hannah ("Kenneth") using a reading of a W.H. Auden poem to eulogize his partner Gareth, played by Simon Callow. Hannah is a well-known British actor but hardly a household name. I suspect some people - especially we film buffs - might recognize him if we saw him in public but I also suspect he is rarely mobbed by adoring throngs. But that few minutes of Hannah's performance in Four Weddings is perfectly modulated; it is eternal film magic. Did the directing contribute? Of course. Is the scene well written? Without a doubt. Was the selection of the stunning Auden poem a stroke? Yes, in triplicate. But in the end, without Hannah, it could have easily turned into just another scene in another movie. There is no doubt in my mind about this, awards bestowed - or not - aside. Hannah can be proud the rest of his life for what he did in those few moments, just as the writer of Play That Funky Music can be for his role in that one hit wonder.
Your turn. What's your nomination for an acting equivalent of a not exactly one hit wonder?
Reflections From The Bell Curve: #54: The Mt. Rushmore Series
This is one of the most memorable scenes from a movie in my memory. Of course there are many others, but in my opinion this scene elevates the entire movie from a throwaway rom-com to something I've watched several times.
ReplyDeleteKim; You are so right. That scene with Hannah does "...elevate..." this otherwise frothy film.
DeleteHello Pat. Interesting, and another fun, Blog Post. There are a few that come to mind for me, but I'm going with these selections:
ReplyDelete1. Tom Wilson - From those Back to The Future movies. Great role(s), good screen presence, but I doubt most would recognize him
2. Michael Schoeffling - If you like(d)the films of the 80's, specifically those Brat Pack movies, you'd know Michael as Jake Ryan from '16 Candles'. Other than that .. No idea
3. Alex Winter - Ted from 'Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure, and the 2 follow up films. Keanu Reeves certainly would be recognized, but not poor Alex.
4. Johnny Whitworth - He was in a 90's film - 'Empire Records' with Anthony Lapaglia, Renee Zellweger, Liv Tyler, among others - each of whom became fairly big stars, but not so much him. And it's a pretty good movie if you get the chance. He was also in Rainmaker (with Matt Damon, Jon Voight and Clare Danes) and also was in Bye Bye Love (Paul Reiser, Matthew Moline, Randy Quaid, but didn't seem to get the recognition that his co-starts from the other films received - especially from Empire Records.
I love movies and love looking for little intricacies in them ... If this comment wasn't obvious enough - LOL
Be well,
Bob
Thanks for the comprehensive comment Bob; looks like you've got a Mt. Rushmore there.
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