are actors who are chameleons in moving between roles and then there are actors that are changelings. I'm convinced that Hugh Laurie is part of the latter class. For example, we all know Laurie's performance as House, the cynical jerk with a heart of decidedly tarnished gold. He's ruthless, intelligent, and sarcastically funny and yet manages to engage audience sympathy at every turn. In fact, he has emerged as one of the most complex and dramatic characters on American television, becoming a minor icon in the process. Would you believe me if I told you he's actually http://britishblogs.blogspot.com/ British and got his start in comedy?
My first encounter with Laurie was via satellite TV from direct tv, through his performances in Blackadder the Third and Blackadder Goes Forth. In both of these programs, he portrays a quintessentially British aristocrat, with a jovial attitude and a plumy British accent; he's a riot. However, if you could manage to look past the fact that the two characters physically resemble each other, you would never believe that they were played by the same actor. That a jolly British fool and a snide American doctor could be portrayed by the same person and with equal conviction is almost beyond belief, at least to me. However, that's what makes Laurie a terrific actor; he doesn't blend or disappear into his roles. He changes into them.
Guest post of the week by Bradley GuthrieLabels: Blogging, Electronics, Entertainment |