Head tilt, mouth twitch and line reading
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Archived from the IMDb Discussion Forums — James Spader
brzeczyk — 10 years ago(October 03, 2015 09:17 PM)
You could say it's not much acting. Head tilt, mouth twitch, reading the lines from his memory teleprompter. And yet you cannot get enough of him. He's so incredibly charismatic.
James Spader is one of the few American actors who act in the classic theatrical way. No method, no attempt of any realism. Yet in his case, it works superbly, because of his great feeling for the spoken language the speed, rhythm and diction.
The way he delivers text is very musical. Spader is like a virtuoso pianist of the word. He does not deliver a huge range because he's not a rock band or a symphonic orchestra. He doesn't do everything, but what he does do, he does it incredibly well. -
erikwt78 — 10 years ago(October 04, 2015 12:30 PM)
Couldn't have said it better. Binge watched Blacklist recently & love(d) his character, which is mainly formulated on his phrasing style & diction which is quite pleasant to hear.
Always enjoyed his characters -
danlogan-67558 — 10 years ago(October 05, 2015 09:55 AM)
Yes, yes, YES! I was thrilled to see some of Spader's characteristics animated into Ultron. I remember seeing the previews for it, not knowing yet that he was in it but knowing full well that it was is voice singing the song from Pinocchio slowly. It was haunting and creepy and beautiful and was one of the only things that stuck with me from the entire movie that I saw, which I can't even remember now what it was.
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ellybendi — 10 years ago(January 07, 2016 01:31 PM)
I am currently rewatching season 1 of the Blacklist and noticed Lizzy did his mouth twitch thing. Not sure if it was intentional though. It was when Red "gifted" her Tom in the Pavlovich Brothers episode and she was grilling him. It was like she had taken on Red's persona. Very clever if it was intentional. I adore Spader, he's fast becoming my favourite actor. I've never seen a tv character so well-played and I watch a lot of series!
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Goatlips — 9 years ago(November 04, 2016 08:13 AM)
No! Exactly why I hated him in the '80s films he was in. That pursed lip, self-important, snide face of his! Zero charisma compared to his co-stars. That's why he never had a lead role in a major film (any film?). Haven't seen him since, but just saw an advert for Blacklist and he still had his mouth pursed! Grrr!
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Franknsense — 9 years ago(November 07, 2016 01:17 PM)
Totally disagree, he always had boatloads of charisma. He just liked playing the character parts, he liked being the bad guybecause as he has said, "the sh*t flies when the bad guy is around, that's what makes it fun." You hated him because of the characters he portrayed, he was great at bringing them to life because we were supposed to hate them. He did his job, and did it well. He has done numerous roles over the years where he played the good guy or at most a conflicted character. I suggest you watch a few, and perhaps you will change your mind, and realize the man is a terrific actor. Watch films like "sex, lies, and videotape"; True Colors; Bad Influence; Stargate; or if you don't mind a little BDSM in your filmsSecretary.
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mjd_subs2 — 9 years ago(February 02, 2017 05:31 AM)
I agree wholeheartedly. However, strangely, I NEVER liked him and have avoided a LOT of movies/shows just because he's in them.
I was forced to watch a few episodes of "Blacklist" at a friend's house one evening and instantly needed to binge watch it on Netflix when I returned home.
I don't know if I'll go back to visit things I've bypassed due to my earlier prejudice but I just might and can't recall anybody, off top, that has caused such a complete turnaround for me relative to their watch-ability.
"Can we all just parachute down from Cloud Coo-coo Land?" Jimmy-Better Call Saul -
Franknsense — 9 years ago(February 04, 2017 01:56 PM)
Do take a look at Boston Legal and the eighth season of The Practice if nothing else. He has been in a lot of less than stellar movies, but he is always stellar in them. That being said, he has also been in films I really really like.
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Franknsense — 9 years ago(February 06, 2017 02:27 PM)
My favorite Spader films are "sex, lies, and videotape"; Secretary (a little risqu); White Palace; Bad Influence; Stargate; The Stickup; True Colors; and Lincoln. There are others I like a lot, but these are my favorites.
