As I understand it, movie actors are entirely at the mercy of the director: he picks the cut that actually makes it onscreen. It's at least possible that Lucas wanted Portman to play flat, or that her good takes got sacrificed in the goal of finding Christiansen's best takes.
You've got my support. Just think of me as...as your... You know, I'm searching for 'supportive things' and I'm coming up all bras.
Xander ,'Empty Places'
Buffista Movies 4: Straight to Video
A place to talk about movies--old and new, good and bad, high art and high cheese. It's the place to place your kittens on the award winners, gossip about upcoming fims and discuss DVD releases and extras. Spoiler policy: White font all plot-related discussion until a movie's been in wide release two weeks, and keep the major HSQ in white font until two weeks after the video/DVD release.
Betsy HP - May 23, 2005 8:54:46 am PDT #3148 of 10002
If I only had a brain...
Cashmere - May 23, 2005 8:56:32 am PDT #3149 of 10002
Now tagless for your comfort.
It's at least possible that Lucas wanted Portman to play flat, or that her good takes got sacrificed in the goal of finding Christiansen's best takes
You mean her best scenes ended up being the ones that occurred while they were spraying Hayden down for termites.
Frankenbuddha - May 23, 2005 8:56:49 am PDT #3150 of 10002
"We are the Goon Squad and we're coming to town...Beep! Beep!" - David Bowie, "Fashion"
t hearts erika.
Dude! How did I miss that?
No kidding. I saw this with two Farscape fans and we even commented that it was supposed to Tarkin, but did not even notice who the actor was.
When fandoms collide.
Lyra Jane - May 23, 2005 8:58:43 am PDT #3151 of 10002
Up with the sun
And also, she signed up for the project when she was what, 15 or 16? I have some sympathy for someone who may have thought, "Star Wars! Cool!" as a teenager, and gotten progressively disillusioned with the material she was given as an adult. Plus, it's clear this isn't the kind of movie she sees herself making any more, judging from her other recent choices.
Not excusing her flat performance, but I at least have more sympathy for her than Samuel L. Jackson.
Cashmere - May 23, 2005 8:59:09 am PDT #3152 of 10002
Now tagless for your comfort.
Has anyone seen the Burger King commercial where Darth Vader and the guy in the creepy Burger King mask face off? They just stand there breathing at each other. Hi-larious.
§ ita § - May 23, 2005 8:59:57 am PDT #3153 of 10002
Well not canonically, no, but this is transformative fiction.
The performance is nowhere near as off-pissing as the comments -- like T'Pol from Enterprise or Halle from X-Men.
Cash the cheque and smile, okay? Better actors than you can suck it up.
Nutty - May 23, 2005 9:03:16 am PDT #3154 of 10002
"Mister Spock is on his fanny, sir. Reports heavy damage."
I don't know. Sometimes honest actor-reaction can be very refreshing. Okay, mostly long after the fact.
§ ita § - May 23, 2005 9:05:26 am PDT #3155 of 10002
Well not canonically, no, but this is transformative fiction.
Okay, mostly long after the fact.
That's key. If it hasn't aired yet, or you're ON JUNKET, you're not clear of your obligation. You don't have to fake blowjobs, but just be diplomatic.
Betsy HP - May 23, 2005 9:06:24 am PDT #3156 of 10002
If I only had a brain...
What ita said. I've seen actors on Jon Stewart who obviously weren't wild about their current movie, but who were sucking it up and praising the good bits.
Nutty - May 23, 2005 9:07:17 am PDT #3157 of 10002
"Mister Spock is on his fanny, sir. Reports heavy damage."
And then there is Jon himself, saying, "I am sure Garfield the Movie is gonna be great! Everybody go see it!"
Luckily, he has his own show, so he has a higher irony allowance than his guests.