Comments on: Catching up on Elia Kazan’s Films http://www.theottery.com/2007/03/catching-up-on-elia-kazans-films/ "If an otter can't have fun doing something, it just simply won't do it." Thu, 08 Jan 2009 18:46:36 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.1 By: Dormouse http://www.theottery.com/2007/03/catching-up-on-elia-kazans-films/#comment-447 Dormouse Mon, 02 Apr 2007 17:38:10 +0000 http://www.theottery.com/2007/03/catching-up-on-elia-kazans-films/#comment-447 Now I really don't want to see or read "Streetcar." Now I really don’t want to see or read “Streetcar.”

]]> By: theotter http://www.theottery.com/2007/03/catching-up-on-elia-kazans-films/#comment-444 theotter Mon, 02 Apr 2007 15:10:25 +0000 http://www.theottery.com/2007/03/catching-up-on-elia-kazans-films/#comment-444 Oh, I definitely agree that Brando's style works. And his physicality makes sense for his roles. The only thing that really irritates me is that his accent always seems to be the same, whether the movie is set in New Orleans or New York. Hmmm . . . this could also explain why I don't really like Jack Nicholson or Tom Cruise. And, in spite of my admiration for Viggo Mortensen, I'm not a huge fan of Method acting, either. I do tend to respond much better to the British "line delivery" style of acting, probably because I'm more of an auditory learner than a visual one. Oh, I definitely agree that Brando’s style works. And his physicality makes sense for his roles. The only thing that really irritates me is that his accent always seems to be the same, whether the movie is set in New Orleans or New York.

Hmmm . . . this could also explain why I don’t really like Jack Nicholson or Tom Cruise.

And, in spite of my admiration for Viggo Mortensen, I’m not a huge fan of Method acting, either. I do tend to respond much better to the British “line delivery” style of acting, probably because I’m more of an auditory learner than a visual one.

]]> By: icelimbo http://www.theottery.com/2007/03/catching-up-on-elia-kazans-films/#comment-440 icelimbo Mon, 02 Apr 2007 04:25:01 +0000 http://www.theottery.com/2007/03/catching-up-on-elia-kazans-films/#comment-440 It's been about 8 years since I've seen either of the two films, so I won't comment on them specifically. I do remember enjoying OTW quite a bit, mainly because of the relationship between brothers motif, which is something that tends to catch my attention, being an only child and all. The one actual comment I wanted to make is that Brando's two claims to fame are, first, like Paul Newman and others, he championed Method acting when it was the gauche way to act. That it then took over the industry was "proof" that its early pioneers were prescient actors. I'd say there's a little truth and a lot of "to the victors go the spolis" in that one. Secondly, the more credible claim is his physicality. Everything Brando did was conveyed through physical emphasis (or, as in The Godfather, restraint; or, as in Apocalypse Now, almost total absence of movement). I'm not saying it's brilliant, but it works for him in a way most people found refreshing and direct. For a tortured soul (like in Streetcar or Apoc) it can be a good acting decision. For a rough-and-tumble guy like in OTW, it's an acting decision that lends credence and authenticity. And I still would have given the Oscar to Bogie any day, but for many people, Brando's style does work. A final note is to say that many an A-list actor has made (or at least built) a career on playing the same character over and over, Jack Nicholson and Tom Cruise being classic examples. It’s been about 8 years since I’ve seen either of the two films, so I won’t comment on them specifically. I do remember enjoying OTW quite a bit, mainly because of the relationship between brothers motif, which is something that tends to catch my attention, being an only child and all. The one actual comment I wanted to make is that Brando’s two claims to fame are, first, like Paul Newman and others, he championed Method acting when it was the gauche way to act. That it then took over the industry was “proof” that its early pioneers were prescient actors. I’d say there’s a little truth and a lot of “to the victors go the spolis” in that one. Secondly, the more credible claim is his physicality. Everything Brando did was conveyed through physical emphasis (or, as in The Godfather, restraint; or, as in Apocalypse Now, almost total absence of movement). I’m not saying it’s brilliant, but it works for him in a way most people found refreshing and direct. For a tortured soul (like in Streetcar or Apoc) it can be a good acting decision. For a rough-and-tumble guy like in OTW, it’s an acting decision that lends credence and authenticity. And I still would have given the Oscar to Bogie any day, but for many people, Brando’s style does work. A final note is to say that many an A-list actor has made (or at least built) a career on playing the same character over and over, Jack Nicholson and Tom Cruise being classic examples.

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