The new Sherlock's stolen my heart
Mmm. New obsession. By the name of Benedict Cumberbatch, of BBC’s Sherlock (2010) fame. Good God is the man ferociously sexy. (Apparently, yes, 花痴 is the perfect epithet for me. ;) ) He wields his voice like a painter does a brush, a virtuoso par excellence, his melodious tenor tones sweeping Sherlock Holmes’ speech into a dazzling performance of vocal art. His voice is particularly reminiscent of Alan Rickman’s on the enunciations. “…he left HER,” he concludes on a typical exercise in deduction, recently introduced to Dr. John Watson in “A Study in Pink” (episode 1), and I might’ve mistaken him for Warner Brothers’ Severus Snape.
But the talents of this maestro only begin here. He’s a virtual chameleon. The way he’s able to assume any role, any voice, in a split second is as disturbing as it is cool. As Holmes, a master of disguise, he’s required to apply extra layers of pretense over his role; it’s amazing to see the transformation, the instant, subtle shift from one character to another, like he’s literally just stepped out from another dimension. He would’ve been an incredible Speech & Debate/Forensics participant. He’s a self-proclaimed mimic, and producer and friend Steven Moffat talks about Cumberbatch’s endless stories, sprinkled with imitations of various voices, while leaving the set together after a day’s work.
In one interview, while discussing the preparation he did for this Sherlock production, he gives particular emphasis to the canon descriptions of Holmes’ poise and elegant bearing. I keep this in the back of my mind while re-watching the first season’s three episodes, and it’s interesting to realize how much Cumberbatch does in fact carry about with poise and elegance. He does quite a bit of twirling and sweeping about, his trench coat falling gracefully from his shoulders with barely a shrug, his long fingers and palms flushed straight against each other when he’s deep in thought, the economy and accompanying deftness of his every motion.
Even his distinctive looks, apparently considered odd by the majority of Britain’s females, are worth lauding for how suitable they are for the character of Sherlock Holmes, oddball detective extraordinaire. His gaunt, edgy features and pale eyes lend Holmes a fascinating, ethereal beauty, enhancing that aura of dynamic grace his careful motions and rapid-fire speech create.
There is much - so very much - of this new version of BBC’s Sherlock that I would get into (it is so very groundbreaking), but for the moment, my newfound love for Benedict Cumberbatch has rendered me incoherent.
Edit: I've just come across these videos of BC impersonating Alan Rickman and singing "Candle in the Wind" AR style, as well as a mash-up of both their voices. It must be my birthday!
But the talents of this maestro only begin here. He’s a virtual chameleon. The way he’s able to assume any role, any voice, in a split second is as disturbing as it is cool. As Holmes, a master of disguise, he’s required to apply extra layers of pretense over his role; it’s amazing to see the transformation, the instant, subtle shift from one character to another, like he’s literally just stepped out from another dimension. He would’ve been an incredible Speech & Debate/Forensics participant. He’s a self-proclaimed mimic, and producer and friend Steven Moffat talks about Cumberbatch’s endless stories, sprinkled with imitations of various voices, while leaving the set together after a day’s work.
In one interview, while discussing the preparation he did for this Sherlock production, he gives particular emphasis to the canon descriptions of Holmes’ poise and elegant bearing. I keep this in the back of my mind while re-watching the first season’s three episodes, and it’s interesting to realize how much Cumberbatch does in fact carry about with poise and elegance. He does quite a bit of twirling and sweeping about, his trench coat falling gracefully from his shoulders with barely a shrug, his long fingers and palms flushed straight against each other when he’s deep in thought, the economy and accompanying deftness of his every motion.
Even his distinctive looks, apparently considered odd by the majority of Britain’s females, are worth lauding for how suitable they are for the character of Sherlock Holmes, oddball detective extraordinaire. His gaunt, edgy features and pale eyes lend Holmes a fascinating, ethereal beauty, enhancing that aura of dynamic grace his careful motions and rapid-fire speech create.
There is much - so very much - of this new version of BBC’s Sherlock that I would get into (it is so very groundbreaking), but for the moment, my newfound love for Benedict Cumberbatch has rendered me incoherent.
Edit: I've just come across these videos of BC impersonating Alan Rickman and singing "Candle in the Wind" AR style, as well as a mash-up of both their voices. It must be my birthday!