Comments | ambree40: first LJ posting

ambree40

first LJ posting

Dec 10, 2011 10:04

Elijah Wood’s acting: Why you have to think (and look) twice.

Having been a fan of Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings saga for many years, I had always avoided watching the Peter Jackson films because I was afraid they would change my appreciation of the books. However last year, I finally succumbed to the temptation, and I was completely blown away, not ( Read more... )

elijah wood

Comments 66

not_alone December 10 2011, 16:24:08 UTC

Congratulations on your first, very interesting, post!! I've left a reply to your comment on my own LJ. I won't comment at any length on this post just yet as there's something I want to look for first. It's an article in which Jason Gann talks about how Elijah completely 'got' the part of Ryan at the audition compared to others who didn't. Personally, I think he plays the character to absolute perfection! I hope I can find it- I'll get back to you:)

ambree40 December 11 2011, 15:18:23 UTC

Your recommendation of my LJ to your flist certainly worked. Quite some response! After being a silent admirer of E. for over a year, and reading everyting I could find about him, I am now thrilled to join the discussion. Many thanks!

karin_woywod December 10 2011, 21:52:26 UTC

I am here on the strength of not_alone's recommendation.

Excellent first entry and excellent point.

Especially recently, I note that many reviews of projects Elijah Wood is involved in, are too much coloured by preconceptions.

Because the general public got to know Elijah Wood in his role as Frodo, he can't play a cowardly American turning into a bad-ass street fighter hooligan.

Because he was Frodo, he can't play comedy.

Because he was Frodo, he can't play a mass murderer of women in the tradition of Hitchcock's 'Psycho', only much gorier !

For God's sake, he is an actor ! He can play all of these characters, and more !

Why watch some movie / tv series, if all you are ready to see is Frodo in a setting a Hobbit doesn't belong in / to ? ? ?

Yeah, I get it - Elijah is a bit smaller than the average 'leading man'. At the time of Green Street Hooligans, Elijah was a bit stockier than he is today. Yet, when he transformed into a fighting member of the Green Street Elite, wearing these stylish clothes, and giving it all in the fight scenes ( ... )

yeuxdebleu December 11 2011, 02:27:38 UTC

I agree with you, Karin. Elijah is a much more versatile actor than he gets credit for. I loved him in Green Street Hooligans especially. It was wonderful the way his character changed from the beginning to the end of the film and Elijah handled the transition perfectly.

And I thought he was fabulous in Wilfred. I'm so glad the show was renewed for another season.

ambree40 December 11 2011, 15:54:30 UTC

Hi Karin,

Wow! We are thinking along exactly the same lines. I find it unprofessional when reviewers can't take an unbiased view. Fortunately, there are reviewers who recognize his quality and versatility. I've just been reading comments on E's casting in MANIAC. Horror reviewers were puzzled at first but some see his potential, based on his performance in Sin City.

BTW, English isn't my first language either (I'm Dutch). I say, we won't let a few mistakes bother us.

Love,

Ann

shirebound December 10 2011, 22:07:27 UTC

Welcome to LJ! :)

Elijah Wood’s performance as Frodo not only brought me to the world of fanfiction, but brought me a world of friends I never dreamed I'd have. His Frodo enriched the lives of so many of us. I've read the books many times since the late 1970's, and now have a new 'layer' to appreciate about the Professor's world.

ambree40 December 11 2011, 15:59:38 UTC

Thank you.

My Tolkien enthousiasm is also just as strong as ever and film-Frodo added an extra dimension. Looking foreward to the LJ experience.

shirebound December 15 2011, 19:55:00 UTC

I don't know if you're interested in G-rated fanfiction about Elijah, but if you ever feel the urge to read some, I wrote a story in the hurt/comfort genre that takes place during the filming of Fellowship. real person fic, no slash

http://nzstories.livejournal.com/28561.html

ink_gypsy December 10 2011, 22:23:39 UTC

Welcome to LJ. Judging from your post, I know you'll feel at home here.

ambree40 December 11 2011, 16:01:08 UTC

Thanks, I'm sure I will. Thrilled to be able to talk to so many people about what interests me.

ladysnaps December 10 2011, 22:58:28 UTC

hi there and welcome! got here by way of not_alone.

boy, you start off strong, and i love it.

i don't know what reviewer didn't think elijah is deserving of a nomination, but he's nominated as an actor in a comedy series, not a comedic actor. that alone tells me he has the chops to do whatever kind of role is put before him. it's a simple straight man/funny man show and it doesn't make any sense to have 2 funny men. and from what i've read, it's much harder to be the straight man in this kind of team and i think elijah does it perfectly.

i'll be looking forward to your other views on this. :-)

ambree40 December 11 2011, 16:32:16 UTC

Hi ladysnaps,

Thanks.

The reviewer probably didn't know about the nomination but I had just read that critical review and it irritated me. It made me think again about the diametrically opposing views on E's acting. This has puzzled me for a long time.

I have also read that playing the straight man is more difficult than playing the funny one. Ryan must have been extra challenging because the reality of the situation is in question all the time. But Elijah has said in interviews that he likes roles with a surreal twist in it.

I agree that he has the chops to play whatever role is put before him, as long as he is really interested in the character. That seems to determine his choice of roles. Good for him.