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Post by indigoblue on Apr 22, 2015 23:44:18 GMT
I have always wondered why CP looks so different in each photo taken of him (compared to Julie, who is always Julie). This block of photos could almost be pics of 8 different people!
I was going to collect different photos to illustrate this point, but found this, which saves me some hassle, although I can think of photos in which he looks even more varied than this. Why is this? Does he do it deliberately? Assymmetrical face? |
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Post by clarinetjamie on Apr 23, 2015 4:55:22 GMT
Funny that you should mention that because I've always thought that even throughout the movie TSOM at times he looks a little different. I mean you can always tell it's him because the eyes are unmistakable, but his face sometimes takes on a different look, not to the point where you don't know it's him, just little subtleties. I can't really explain it, but all I know is that he really is one good looking man.  |
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Post by utility_singer on Apr 23, 2015 11:11:25 GMT
Scientifically speaking, everyone's face is asymmetrical. But that's not it.
I think that the difference is in that he simply uses his face more than Julie does----she acts more with her body. It is particularly noticeable in TSOM----he maintains his stiff-upper lip, aristocratic military man posture throughout, and it is his eyes and face (well, and the hair!) that reflect the change in his character.
She, on the other hand, uses her eyes and her body language. While there is a subtle change in her face (during Climb Ev'ry Mountain, her face is more drawn, and looks thinner, than in the other scenes) the big difference is seen in how she runs into the abbey courtyard in the very beginning, how she trips going up to the door, and the biggest change we all notice when she comes out of the house when they've returned from Paris.
I'd imagine it is a function of their early training---Julie danced, and learned to use her body expressively. Chris played classical piano, thus having only his facial expressions to reflect the emotion of whatever music he was playing.
Probably more than you were looking for, lol.
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Post by augiesannie on Apr 23, 2015 12:22:37 GMT
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Post by indigoblue on Apr 23, 2015 21:23:42 GMT
More than we were expecting, Utility, but how wonderful it was!
Yes, you made a great point:they convey very different personalities through their body movement (or lack of it) - she carefree, youthful, zesty, energetic and spontaneous with lots of gestures and changes of body posture and position in place.
He - careworn, reserved, sad, older, thoughtful, reflects this in minimal body movement and gestures and change of position on the stage, but maintains the expressions of the character through small changes in head position, eye expression and his voice (comparing the hall scene at the beginning with the gazebo).
How much do you think the differences in style are a male/female thing? Do all men tend to act like that?
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Post by utility_singer on Apr 23, 2015 22:17:44 GMT
I think it is more training than gender, and there is crossover. Dustin Hoffman is one who definitely uses his whole being when bringing a character to life, but to my knowledge he doesn't have much of a dance background.
There's also some difference with the projects taken on; Chris tended to do more dramatic/serious roles, which don't usually call for as much physicality as comedy work.
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Post by indigoblue on Apr 23, 2015 23:14:35 GMT
No, and I suppose her vaudeville background would also contribute to her use of movement.
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Post by clarinetjamie on Apr 24, 2015 15:44:13 GMT
Great points, he is very animated with his facial expressions, very subtle movements that make a huge difference when conveying the emotions of his characters. I think that this suits him well for the role of the Captain since the Captain is a very proper and reserved man. He is very dignified and would not be as apt to being animated with his whole body. Maybe that's one of the reasons they play off of each other so well because they are different styles when they are together the two make for a good match. If that makes sense.
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Post by augiesannie on Apr 24, 2015 16:52:13 GMT
and reading this whole wonderful exchange, I am thinking that the contrast is part of the chemistry between them. I picture M&G, maybe not even at a conscious level, being enamored of the way the other one expresses and processes feelings. Not that they'd say it that way. She could really be attracted to his air of mystery and moved by his sadness; he is drawn to her enthusiasm and energy. Those might not be the right words but maybe you get the point.
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Post by acid.milque on Apr 24, 2015 17:38:55 GMT
^ Opposites attract sort of thing.
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Post by indigoblue on Apr 24, 2015 23:04:07 GMT
I get the point, Anne, and love it!
I hadn't really appreciated it properly before, but if you think quite how much body movement she has in the lane outside the villa at the end of IHC, as she flings herself around with her carpet bag and guitar, and trips up in the courtyard as she races to the door, then you see the contrast with CP standing stock still in the entrance to the ballroom, and his tight-lipped delivery, it is as contrasting as chalk and cheese, and very pleasing at that...
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Post by utility_singer on Apr 25, 2015 12:51:48 GMT
Yes, to all of it. And I think that is what, in part, feeds the fascination of them as a real-life pair, platonic friends or otherwise. The two of them play off one another so beautifully in the same way ----thinking of that delicious interview recently at the TCM festival, where they sort of drift off talking between themselves and the interviewer has to rein them in. Even before the Diane Sawyer interview where they finally admitted to having a 'thing' for each other, so many people who love the movie yet aren't invested at the level we are would ask if they were married in real life.
I'm rambling again, aren't I?
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Post by indigoblue on Apr 25, 2015 21:41:56 GMT
Yes, but how delicious it is...
I love the bits where they finish each other's sentences and poke fun at each other.
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Post by indigoblue on Apr 27, 2015 13:08:13 GMT
I remember he said in an interview on this board how he could always mimic people from an early age. Thinking about it, mimicry requires a careful copying of head, eye and hand movements, as well as attention to the correct voice in timbre and intonation.
As we've said, Julie's childhood background was in vaudeville with her parents on stage, which I think concentrates more on physical place, position, movement and slapstick - so very different in emphasis.
Do you think Robert Wise had this in mind when he chose the actors? I would love to have been a fly on the wall when they were thrashing out how they would interact! Do you think it would have been an equal sharing of ideas, or one-sided? (?Julie-haha!) How long do you think it took to get the right balance?
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Post by augiesannie on Apr 28, 2015 1:10:12 GMT
I remember he said in an interview on this board how he could always mimic people from an early age. Thinking about it, mimicry requires a careful copying of head, eye and hand movements, as well as attention to the correct voice in timbre and intonation. As we've said, Julie's childhood background was in vaudeville with her parents on stage, which I think concentrates more on physical place, position, movement and slapstick - so very different in emphasis. Do you think Robert Wise had this in mind when he chose the actors? I would love to have been a fly on the wall when they were thrashing out how they would interact! Do you think it would have been an equal sharing of ideas, or one-sided? (?Julie-haha!) How long do you think it took to get the right balance? For example they worked hard together on the argument. And it shows. Such professionalism! (And chemistry). |
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Post by utility_singer on Apr 28, 2015 3:05:15 GMT
Yes, indeed. And of course, Julie gave most of the credit to Chris for insisting they do so.
The chemistry is so key to this piece. Without it, it simply doesn't work.
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Post by indigoblue on Apr 28, 2015 11:52:51 GMT
So what is chemistry?
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Post by utility_singer on Apr 28, 2015 16:39:36 GMT
When you can't take your eyes off them.
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Post by clarinetjamie on Apr 28, 2015 16:48:27 GMT
........and when they can't keep their eyes off of each other. |
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Post by paula on Apr 28, 2015 21:48:01 GMT
When you can't take your eyes off them. I never can take my eyes off Christopher Plummer!  |
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Post by indigoblue on Apr 28, 2015 22:38:19 GMT
Yes, but you know there is chemistry right at the beginning, in the hall (even though they aren't even friends there). Is this a scene in which they can't take their eyes off each other?
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Post by utility_singer on Apr 29, 2015 1:39:47 GMT
Yes, but you know there is chemistry right at the beginning, in the hall (even though they aren't even friends there). Is this a scene in which they can't take their eyes off each other? In a way, yes. Her smile of relief, when she tells him he "doesn't look very much like a sea captain". When he makes her spin around, and "hat off". Did he make the other eleven governesses do that? The way she looks at him with those big, innocent eyes after she whistles for him because she doesn't know his signal. Anyway, chemistry is something felt, rather than seen or explained. Sort of like what a Supreme Court justice said about porn---he couldn't define it, but 'knew it when he saw it'. |
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Post by acid.milque on Apr 29, 2015 3:23:57 GMT
I remember he said in an interview on this board how he could always mimic people from an early age. Thinking about it, mimicry requires a careful copying of head, eye and hand movements, as well as attention to the correct voice in timbre and intonation. As we've said, Julie's childhood background was in vaudeville with her parents on stage, which I think concentrates more on physical place, position, movement and slapstick - so very different in emphasis. Do you think Robert Wise had this in mind when he chose the actors? I would love to have been a fly on the wall when they were thrashing out how they would interact! Do you think it would have been an equal sharing of ideas, or one-sided? (?Julie-haha!) How long do you think it took to get the right balance? For example they worked hard together on the argument. And it shows. Such professionalism! (And chemistry). ^ Well said. Augiesannie! Plus it still boggles my mind that it was filmed in two different locals without losing any momentum. |
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Post by clarinetjamie on Apr 29, 2015 3:27:57 GMT
Yes, but you know there is chemistry right at the beginning, in the hall (even though they aren't even friends there). Is this a scene in which they can't take their eyes off each other? In a way, yes. Her smile of relief, when she tells him he "doesn't look very much like a sea captain". When he makes her spin around, and "hat off". Did he make the other eleven governesses do that? The way she looks at him with those big, innocent eyes after she whistles for him because she doesn't know his signal. Anyway, chemistry is something felt, rather than seen or explained. Sort of like what a Supreme Court justice said about porn---he couldn't define it, but 'knew it when he saw it'. I think he is a little bit surprised when he first sees her because I'm pretty sure he was't expecting someone so young or pretty and definitely not someone who could stand up to him and put him in his place. After all he called an abbey to send someone. Not what he was expecting to show up at his door at all so naturally he's going to "check her out." The scene at dinner as well. He's agitated with her rambling, but also amused by it at the same time because of how she deals with the children and their "little gift." She's the first one that doesn't straight up rat them out. Perhaps that surprises him as well. |
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Post by indigoblue on Nov 22, 2020 23:09:23 GMT
Just dredging up this interesting old post on acting styles...enjoy.
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Post by utility_singer on Nov 23, 2020 11:33:16 GMT
Glad you did. Good stuff!
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Post by indigoblue on Aug 17, 2022 23:37:09 GMT
I found this delicious video, and am putting it here to illustrate the Man of A Thousand Faces...and maybe also so you can reminisce on one fine-lookin' guy. www.youtube.com/watch?v=oyf1BBlcmUA |
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Post by missisa on Aug 18, 2022 13:10:19 GMT
I found this delicious video, and am putting it here to illustrate the Man of A Thousand Faces...and maybe also so you can reminisce on one fine-lookin' guy. www.youtube.com/watch?v=oyf1BBlcmUA😍😍 it's one of the best video tributes in YouTube. |
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Post by reverendcaptain on Sept 1, 2022 3:15:18 GMT
I found this delicious video, and am putting it here to illustrate the Man of A Thousand Faces...and maybe also so you can reminisce on one fine-lookin' guy. www.youtube.com/watch?v=oyf1BBlcmUAI can't help but put JA opposite him (in my mind) in every clip they show. Great find! |
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