Should play James Bond
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nfaust1 — 16 years ago(November 27, 2009 02:29 AM)
Am coming up on episodes 3 and 4 in season 6. I know the show keeps me on edge knowing that at any time any character can bite the dust, or get caught in a trap that forces them to emigrate to South America!
Ordinarily, I never watch TV shows. In fact, I couldn't for the life of me tell you what's on American TV, cable or network, this season. The BBC, though, will often attract my attention. Got hooked by WIRE IN THE BLOOD. Now, MI-5.
Regarding Bond, Craig can be a good actor, but oddly enough I sense a weird tension in the way he plays that role or the way he's made to play it. James Bond has been reduced to a kind of neanderthal with a gun in his tux and a searing neurosis under his cap. Maybe it's just me, be Craig and the character are not a seamless fit. I sense the actor struggling to express some form of humanity within the formulaic action the character performs. The fact that I sense a degree of neurosis in his performance means he hasn't been totally overtaken by the series' robotic demands, but I still get the feeling Craig would like to break loose, wave his arms around, scream, shout, sing a tune and dance on one foot.
Rupert, on the other hand, may not be as classically chiseled as Craig, but without seemingly working at it, he easily conveys astounding physical strength while at the same time remaining emotionally available. I think this make him one sexy guy on the screen. Someone you feel you know, or would like to know. Now, I'm talking about the character he plays, not the man. He's such a good actor, so I'm not complaining.
I'm not familiar with the play you mention. You say he's in a dress? My goodness. A rather tall woman, I'd say. In a dress or not dressed, at all, I think he's pretty special.
In any event, when Adam's acting a role or pulling some desperate stunt on MI-5, he gets a kind of screwed up, school kid look on his face, like he knows what he'd doing, but has to wing it. When he does that, I suspend disbelief and imagine I'm watching the 007 that Ian Fleming described in his books. Maybe one of these days someone at MGM will imagine the same thing. -
nfaust1 — 16 years ago(November 28, 2009 04:52 PM)
Well, Inconspicuous92, I am mainly a theatre director, and 2000lately, a script doctor. If and when the opportunity arises, I'd try to cast Penry-Jones in a heartbeat. TV actor or not, he's powerfully gifted.
If you see the play, would enjoy reading what you have to say. -
nfaust1 — 16 years ago(November 30, 2009 05:10 AM)
Let me know when you start watching the series in earnest. Am interested in what you have to day. Don't worry - I'm in the middle of season 6, so there's no way you can spoil any of it for me. Again, as I've said elsewhere, for full impact, start at the beginning and move through the season in chronological order.
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nfaust1 — 16 years ago(December 19, 2009 06:44 PM)
Your point is well taken.
Rupert Penry-Jones could more than likely play just about anything. In MI-5, he shows an amazing range. The James Bond connection may have something to do with a kind of disappointment I've perpetually felt over the years. The films have gotten bigger, but not, in my opinion, better. Craig, too, is a good actor, but in the Bond role he seems to be playing a neanderthal in a tux. This approach bears little if any resemblance to the character Ian Fleming created. I know, movies don't have to follow the books they're based on. But still, I wonder, what's the point if the film makers feel a complete sociological makeover is necessary?
One things that draws me to Penry-Jones is how he so effortlessly conveys confusion and strength almost at the very same time. Which means that in some of the more outlandish moments on MI-5 we buy it because we buy him. Even when superhuman strength or mental computation is necessary, this actor never lets us forget his humanity. I think that's why he's so sexy. Certainly, part of it is bone structure, but not all. In the original Bond movies, the character was tainted with a slight suggestion of neurosis. When Connery goes into action mode, we see and sense his fear, anger, and even frustration. No one after Connery even seems to be trying for a character with a layer of neurotic subtext.
That's what Rupert brings to the TV show, and that's why I say he should be Bond. It is also my way of giving the actor a genuine compliment. Bond is an iconic character. Rupert is, on MI-5, equally iconic.