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24.83.5.4
In Reply to: RE: Brando fit the short story writer's creation, perfectly. When a role called for it, posted by tinear on April 06, 2011 at 14:20:48
I know a fellow who worked on 'Apocalypse Now' and the script called for Brando to show up thin and wild eyed but he showed up as an un-prepared blimp...this can be seen in 'Hearts of Darkness'.
Brando didn't even read 'Heart of Darkness'...which is a novella by the way, not a short story. Perhaps you should read it sometime.
J.B.
Follow Ups:
pertinent.
Kurtz was a lunatic which Brando perfectly portrayed. His performance was completely original, low-keyed and chilling. With Hopper, the wild-eyed performance already was filled; also, Sheen's eyes took on that Hollywood intensity. You expected Brando to make it a trio of scenery chewing?
As far as weight, who cares? Fat or thin, tall or short?
Without Kurtz, the film was worthless. All through the story, we heard about the character. When he appeared, he was riveting, mysterious, hideous. A masterful characterization that is unforgettable. Genius.
Brando's acting wasn't based on long preparation, memorization. He felt those detracted from the spontaneity and realism necessary to greatness. Very early on, he began to write dialogue on sheets of paper or even on his fellow actors. Who cares? Not only was he the greatest male film actor this country ever produced, he was the clear model to one of its other greats, James Dean.
BTW, if you think Sheen was chewing scenery in AN that puts any critique you might have of his (or anyone else in the film) acting in perspective.
As I mentioned above I know someone who was on the shoot and he (as well as Coppola and many others on the crew) are on record that Brando was a total fuck up, couldn't remember his lines, uninterested and ignorant of the material etc etc.
The first time I saw AN in 1979 I also thought Brando was a God but since then I've grown up.
J.B.
It doesn't matter what Brando did before the cameras rolled. I am not alone in finding his performance the critical one to the film.
Sheen's breakdown in the room. Chewing. The scenes later in the cave. Chewing. Nothing quiet. Always over the top. I could probably think of a few more. His voice was very good in narration, however. It's just that putting him up against Brando was the film's greatest weakness. Sheen just doesn't have the gravitas to punch with Brando. Steiger? Sure. Cobb? Absolutely. Malden? Definitely. Sheen? SHEEN? You're kidding me. James Dean-lite. Very, very lite.
... Harvey Keitel was fired (so I heard) prior to Sheen's taking the role?
(Back stories are so interesting, though I still revere Brando for his work regardless of what onlookers may relate.)
Speaking as Keitel's fan... :) His bombastic personality would be out of place, I think... the Sheen's quiet demeanor made the tension stronger.
I agree, Sheen's wide eyed frailty gave the film greater character contrast - he was easily manipulated like a cork in a tempest so the mission/journey itself became the film's drive.
I saw that at a Drive-In in Apotos ,CA in 1993 when it was in its first run.. Maybe why I have a liking of it now..
Apparently it has not left a lasting impression. Was he good there?
... one of my favorite films, and one even appropriate for the Holidays that doesn't smack of tinsel. Ashley Judd does a fantastic white trash cameo in "Smoke".
Others in Smoke were far better. This was one of the 4 Keitel films in the early 90s that helped reeastablish his career, along with The Piano, Reservoir Dogs and Bad Lieutenant.
-------------
We must be the change we wish to see in the world. -Gandhi
the "Augie Wren Christmas story" that is the basis for Keitels characters story about finding a shoplifters wallet, was 1st published in the New Yorker
It's a great story + a great movie
GW
nt
.
not the New Yorker
From the Net: "Paul Auster's Auggie Wren's Christmas Story was first published on Christmas Day 1990 in The New York Times"
GW
dfs
A master at his work. Film's no slouch either...
dfs
I think one of Connery's last decent appearances. He's a Nipophile anyway so he was in his element. Ray Wise plays his typical creep.. Like I said maybe the impression of the Big Screen at the drive-in has some influence in my recollection but Harvey has some funny lines as the as the ethically/socially compromised Cop. Good Tyco Drums sequence.
Edits: 04/07/11
... although knowing of Brando's points of view, I'm inclined to believe Col. Kurtz follows D. Hoppers description of him best: a sane man driven to mad actions in a mad world - befitting the circumstances and point of the film as a critique of wholesale American lunacy in its war policy.
It is a gem of a movie.
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