Matthew Broderick is brilliant in this movie
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big_t997 — 15 years ago(January 02, 2011 09:36 AM)
Broderick has one of the most underrated acting careers in Hollywood.
He is a very good actor who can play different roles very well.
The problem is, the civil war is a tough sell in Hollywood. Most people either don't care about it, don't really understand it, and it generally only appeals to a very small demographic and niche community. That and the fact that he played Buler's day off just a few years before kind took a lot of people back, but I think thats what makes him so good.
Both roles were so different than each other and both are now classics, I think that says something about the actor. You don't see many actors who have as much depth as Broderick does.
I think from a history buff perspective is that he was a very good fit for the role. The character he played as was exactly how I thought of Shaw. A quiet somewhat timid man who beneath his physical qualities was a smart man who embroiled what every officer should be in the military. The real col. shaw was not much liked by his other officers, officers who were assigned to black regiments were considered somewhat inferior and given those jobs because they were perceived as not able to handle what the other officers with white troops could.
The north was just as racist in some aspects as the south, i'd argue more because they were being blatant hypercritical, at least with the south you knew what you were getting. -
I_Created_U — 9 years ago(December 09, 2016 10:08 PM)
Gotta disagree with OP on this one. I'm gonna be mean and say he was the weakest link of the cast, something he has been in pretty much everything except in Ferris Bueller. Never found him talented or even convincing, but maybe that's just me. And it doesn't change the fact that Ferris is indeed a classic.
People who don't like their beliefs being laughed at shouldn't have such funny beliefs -
rondine — 14 years ago(April 16, 2011 06:35 PM)
I agree. I think this is his best picture thus far. I will never forget the first time I saw it nor my reaction to his portrayal of Col. Robert Gould Shaw. He is underrated and this is a piece of work he should be very, very proud of!
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USAFMXOfficer_2013 — 14 years ago(April 18, 2011 03:53 PM)
Totally agree with all posts. It also is amazing the physical resemblance between Broderick and Shaw. Has anyone ever seen any interviews with Broderick concerning his preparation for this movie?
Check these side by side photos out>
http://www.imdb.com/media/rm4043935232/ch0008075
Arguing with a Truther is like trying to teach a ham sandwich to play chess - Sivazh -
shayup — 14 years ago(April 26, 2011 04:48 AM)
I'm so glad to see a thread on this. I am in total agreement. Everytime I see this movie I am astounded on all the performances (except for Elwes who seemed goofy to me). Matthew's performance most definitely set the tone for this movie. While the movie was about war, it really was about self reflection, respect and dignity. He captured Shaw's growth as a timid reluctant leader to a great leader of men.
When you look back at the quality roles back the late 80's, it's more understandable that Matthew did not get a nomination. It's a total reflection of how few good movies and roles there are today. Without a doubt, if this movie was made 10 years later, Matthew would have be honored as well as the movie itself.
When the book is closed on Broderick's career, people will reexamine some of his roles and find that many are very underrated. He brings a subtley to his roles that is so refreshing to me. -
Chloe1251 — 14 years ago(April 28, 2011 07:02 AM)
While the movie was about war, it really was about self reflection, respect and dignity.
I couldn't agree more. I've seen this movie countless times and each time I'm newly amazed by the subtle yet powerful performances, especially Matthew Broderick's. This movie is extremely moving and touching without having even a touch of saccharine or sappiness. Even after so many viewings I'm still unable to watch the final scene on the beach (before the battle) without tearing up.
IMO, one of the finest films ever made, bar none. -
hachmom-1 — 14 years ago(May 15, 2011 04:52 AM)
I have always felt Matthew's performance in this film is superb, and like others have said I find totally lose him in Shaw when I watch this film.
Public appreciation of this film was partly a victim of bad timingthe film was released a year before Ken Burns' Civil War really awakened alot of people to our history. One wonders if the film would have done better if it had been released in, say, 1991.
It is not our abilities that show who we truly areit is our choices -
Hancock_the_Superb — 14 years ago(May 31, 2011 04:50 PM)
Agreed. I think Broderick was unfairly criticized just because he was cast - a lot of comments you read on the film are "What's Ferris Bueller doing in a Civil War film?" He is outshined by Denzel Washington and Morgan Freeman, but they have flashier characters to play. Broderick hits Shaw's mixture of idealism, insecurity and haughtiness perfectly, and I can't picture anyone else in the part.
"That's what the elves call Justice of the Unicorn!" -
nooneishere — 14 years ago(July 07, 2011 05:00 PM)
Shaw died at 25 (or so), why were people ever complaining that Broderick was too you to play the character? I also think his young voice is perfect for the character's inexperience with the position, it adds a dimension to an already great portrayal.
"That's the karma again, I didn't help Kenny so she beat me up with a telephone" -
Jlcsoccer4 — 14 years ago(July 09, 2011 10:08 PM)
I recently did a research paper on Shaw for my Civil War studies class and all the research I did, including reading the numerous letters he wrote during the war, only further convinced me that Broderick played the role perfectly. I wouldn't have wanted anyone else for Shaw.
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digitaldiva — 14 years ago(July 27, 2011 12:48 PM)
Hi thrwmbgkdosbepmc,
Matthew was wonderful in this role. Shaw was a small, boyish young man who died at 25. He was Harvard educated, spoke with a Boston Brahmin accent, and Matthew captured it perfectly. A wonderful movie and he was wonderful in it. -
anneandwalt-1 — 13 years ago(February 09, 2013 06:43 PM)
Watching Glory again, I have reappraised Broderick's performance and found it quite strong. Let's remember that at only age 25 he was a Colonel leading a full regiment - and was not a professional soldier. Giving his horrific experiences earlier in the war, Shaw was understandably wrestling with fear and self-doubt as he struggled to fulfill his parents wishes in a politically thankless situation.
Casting a older, gruffer actor would not have been true to Shaw - well done Matthew. -
LDHRELL2003 — 12 years ago(December 25, 2013 02:09 PM)
The film was not even nominated for Best PictureDenzel spoke to that doing his acceptance for Best Supporting actor. The critics used Broderick's so called "weak" performance to diminish Glory. The only reason why Glory did not win Best Picture"Driving Miss Daisy"really? Matthew was simply amazing in the movie.