Subject:  Re: Buck up!!! |
Author:
Suky
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Date Posted: 09:18:00 08/07/01 Tue
In reply to:
Jen
's message, "Buck up!!!" on 08:41:16 08/07/01 Tue
Thanks, Jen. What an interesting essay! You're a gifted writer--do you ever do this professionally? If not, you should!
You've captured and clarified so many of my own thoughts about DW in your article ...
I think you've hit the nail on the head about DW's fascination, especially as a villain--he can be both "vulnerable" and "intimidating" at the same time! I wish he didn't have such an aversion to being known for his more intimidating roles. (I didn't find his Eugene at all colorless, though ... I think it was the most vulnerable yet intimidating he's ever been, which is all the more brilliant because he's so subtle about it.) I think the title of that Starlog article a few years back captured him perfectly ... "The Reluctant Fiend." (Or was it "Villain"?) At any rate, I think it's his reluctance that makes his villains so interesting and memorable!
You said, "Others have paid for ignoring it. Their comeuppance is brought in a disarmingly paternal moment, some passing gestures that bear the impact of a plot development, in The Island or Waxwork for example." I agree, but which passing gestures are you referring to? (It's been so long, I guess I should dig out my copies of those two films and rewatch them, if only I could find the time.)
Again, I just love the paragraph about his animal magetism! So true, so true ...
"To preserve his ability to startle, directors and publicists have refused to show his full smile except at calculatedly inappropriate moments, to deliberately ruin its otherwise unalloyed charm." To be honest, I can't remember where or when I've ever seen him give a full smile. (Although I do have a pretty clear mental picture of his teeth, so I know I must have somewhere!) Well, maybe in Morgan ... (?) Are there other examples?
You're so right--though he doesn't get a lot of screen time, he really *made* Time Bandits. I laughed harder at his scenes than at any others in the film. (John Cleese came in a close second.) And it's *not* just because he's David Warner. I'll never forget almost--literally--falling off my chair in the movie theatre when he did that ZAP! "Oops, sorry" thing! There are probably only three or four moments in cinema that have ever caused me to laugh that hard. You're right--DW knows funny!
Your descriptions are so great--a fractal growing teeth, then speaking ... I wish I had your way with words!
"Warner's John is not a poor sap at heart, though, but an untenable life." Well put! (As is the whole paragraph--you captured perfectly why I love TAT so much!)
Beautifully written Jen! Thanks for sharing it and helping to take our minds off this great loss. More! More!
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Re: Buck up!!!