And here’s to you, Geoffrey Rush
February 22, 2011Oscar night is this coming Sunday night. I am psyched that three actors I admire are in the running all for the same film, the King’s Speech, this year. TKS is also nominated as Best Picture. Looking back at all three careers–Bonham-Carter, Firth and Rush, you’ll find a lot of great movies about a wide range of characters.
But I thought I’d dedicate this post to Geoffrey Rush and dynamic character actors. The main characters get a lot of attention, spotlight, not to mention the center of a story. But something I’ve come to realize with age and the more films I see is that there would be no story without character actors providing the framework–being the foil (bad guy), being a supporting contrast character, being a catalyst to what the main character experiences. If any one of these supporting cast members doesn’t “have their act together”, meaning he or she isn’t believable, it can ruin the whole story. If the audience is distracted by that one uncommitted actor, the story is lost. No one really cares what happens to the hero at that point.
So, how do you know a great character actor?As a fan, I notice they stay busy because they love the job, and take on a roles for quality (richness of character) not quantity (how much screentime is involved); they keep getting called back by film creators because they’re damn good. These days, there are fewer boundaries between film, television, voice versus live action work. And all the better for someone who wants to play in all mediums like Rush.
For just a Rush sampler, check out this list: schizoaffective pianist David Helfgott in the 1996 biopic “Shine”; Nigel the heroic Pelican in Pixar’s “Finding Nemo”, Communist icon Leon Trotsky in 2002′s “Frida”, wicked Barbossa in the “Pirates of the Caribbean” franchises, financially-challenged theater owner Philip Henslowe in 1998′s “Shakespeare in Love”, devious Walsingham consulting Queen Elizabeth in both Elizabeth films (1998 and 2007), and a not quite superhero, Casanova Frankenstein, in 1999′s “Mystery Men”. (That’s range, baby).
In the past year, in addition to playing linguistics professional Lionel Logue in TKS, he provided the voice for Ezylryb in Legend of the Guardians: The Owls of Ga’Hoole, and Ron in the Warrior’s Way. Prior to breaking into film in the 1990s, Rush had a 20 year career in Australian theater that continues to this day when he can schedule it between film projects. Can you tell yet? This guy really loves his job, whatever person or creature that is right now.
For a full roster of Rush’s film and TV career, see this page: http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001691/
This is only the beginning of the Supporting Cast Hall of Fame features on FilmRelics.
PS-Not that you need my vote or endorsement, Bonham-Carter, Firth and Rush, but I do hope you have trophies coming your way Sunday night.
