Access Atlanta > Movies > Blog > Archives > 2007 > January > 26 > Entry
If you’re seeking greatness, you’re on the right track
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Dear Mr. Smithee,
I thoroughly enjoy reading your column every Friday. Since you are the expert on movies and I go to high school, I was wondering what do you think it takes to be a great director or talented actor? What movies can I watch to learn from the best directors and actors?
KRISTIAN KING, Fayetteville
Dear Go to the Head of the Class,
It is always right, as smart young people do, to ask questions.
Such as: “In which cases can velocity selection be more efficient than other cooling techniques for the preparation of ultracold atom clouds in one dimension?”
Or: “For the love of Godard, Mother Smithee, why are you hitting me?”
Over the years, my fine young Kristian, I have interviewed many a noble actor. (Note: Be sure to place the proper emphasis on the second syllable). Know what skill they have told me is important?
No, not lying about how good their movie is when they all know it’s bad - though, that is a big part of being a celebrity.
In reality, the key is listening. As in … making sure one is attuned to what the other actors are doing and saying so that one might react in an appropriate manner.
As in … Al Pacino listens to his fellow actors so he will be aware when they are doing a really good job and, therefore, precisely when he should begin shouting and waving his arms and screeching his dialogue in such a manner as to fully gobble the scene, rendering his co-stars into mere props.
I have also, my fine Kristian, over the years listed many, many wonderful movies that people should watch.
Instead of looking again to the distant past, I would like to point you toward some of the best examples from the past year. Some of these directors and actors got Oscar nominations this week. Some didn’t.
Listen up.
First, since I don’t know your age, ask your parents whether any or all of these films are appropriate for you to view.
Then …
First watch Sean Penn in “All the King’s Men,” followed within the next 24 hours by seeing Forest Whitaker in “The Last King of Scotland.”
Notice how the roles are somewhat similar, how the two actors deliver similar speeches to a large crowd during the film. Note, especially, how Mr. Penn consistently seems to be acting (his movements appear pre-planned) while Mr. Whitaker seems to make his character flesh-and-blood real.
Watch Ryan Gosling and Shareeka Epps in “Half Nelson.” See how they seem to convey the feelings and thoughts of their characters without speaking. Ditto Maggie Gyllenhaal in “Sherrybaby.”
Watch Mark Wahlberg in “The Departed,” and savor how he’s confronted with actors with much higher reputations than his, yet how he is so in command of his character. Boston is Wahlberg’s hometown. And he owns the role he is playing.
Watch Judi Dench in “Notes on a Scandal” and Jennifer Hudson in “Dreamgirls,” and feel the power the former interjects into words and the latter transforms into song.
Note the emotion Bill Nighy infuses into Davy Jones in “Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest.”
To better understand directing, I’d suggest you watch three films.
Watch “The Queen” to take note of Stephen Frears’ pacing, how each scene constructively builds to the next and how he inserts additional drama with occasional archival footage. It’s remarkable how he underscores Princess Diana’s presence even in death.
Watch “Pan’s Labyrinth” to see the detail in Guillermo del Toro’s vision and how he precisely brings it to the screen.
And watch “United 93” to see how Paul Greengrass coaxes the worst of days back to life - not for exploitation, but for cathartic purposes.
ALAN
P.S. You get a “The Devil Wears Prada” bag and, essential for any stunning outfit, an “Ask Mr. Smithee” T-shirt.
PRACTICALLY PERFECT IN EVERY WAY: So how did I do in my Oscar nomination predictions from last week?
Mr. Smithee (that would be me) correctly predicted 25 of 30 Oscar nominations in the top categories (or 83.33 percent for you math whizzes).
The lowdown: best picture, 4 for 5; actor, 4 for 5; actress, 5 for 5; supporting actor, 4 for 5; supporting actress, 5 for 5; and director, 3 for 5.
HAVE A QUESTION FOR MR. SMITHEE?
E-mail him at alansmithee@ajc.com or go to accessAtlanta.com and click on Movies. Please include your name, city and daytime phone number. Mr. Smithee can’t reply to ever request, but inquiries chosen for publication will receive movie-related prizes.
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