Vincent D'Onofrio's Ability

[Det. Saki]

This may sound a bit silly, but I stand firmly by it.

Does anyone else notice that certain actors have the ability to 'disappear' behind their characters? What I mean is, when you watch the movie/show/whatever they're in, you sort of forget that the character's not real. I mean, of course you know it's just an actor, but...it's kinda hard to explain.

Take D'Onofrio's Carl Stargher for instance. He's obviously got some kind of mental disorder, and has very strong, human emotions. When he feels angry, he flies into a rage; when he threatens, his eyes grow dark and his voice becomes a low, sounds-barely-controlled growl. The emotions that he shows match his personality perfectly; you never see him express true joy or sadness.

Johnny Depp also does this in Finding Neverland. Mr. Barrie is a lonely man who appears to always be afraid that people won't like him. He frequently retreats into his imagination and spends most of his time working on plays. His wife doesn't understand his behavior and a large void grows between them. The only time he really expresses his true feelings is around the children and Sylvia.

I think that actors who come to treat their character as a separate human being are very good at doing this, and it's what makes them great actors. I also think that staying in character, even between takes and during breaks, plays an important part.

Does anyone know what I'm talking about?

~Det. Saki

(Sorry for long post )

[amberlight]

Sure, I know what you are referring to. Immersing yourself into the character is one of the most fascinating things about actors. I am always curious as to whether you need to train your mind and body to hold this illusion and whether there are excercises an actor does to facilitate this. I think most of us know from reading material about Vincent, that he gets into character and stays there. I find that interesting since there is so much down time between scenes. It implies that he remains Goren for the duration? That seems somehow hard to believe he maintains a character for what, 15 hours? of work. If that is so, more credit to him for indurance. I know some actors find no need to do this and move in and out of character at the words Cut or Take.

[Duet]

Feeling Minnesota is one of my favorite films and lately I've had the opportunity to watch it a few more times. I found my self really fascinated by VDO's character Sam. Lately I had been watching re-runs of CI becoming more and more enthralled with Goren. Sam is so *not* Goren that it was interesting to watch FM again, it's left me wondering about who VDO really is...and what mannerisms that are all his alone have been given to his characters, intentionally or other.

[kawaiidragonfoe821]

Yeah, I liked Carl too & like Catherine I was empathetic towards him; I sincerely wanted to see him be saved from himself & his past. I thought it was sweet that she kept his dog ;D
Watching him as Goren is where the lines really blur btw character & actor. At times I really do forget that I'm watching a fictional character because there really are people like Goren out there in the world (I'm one of them, unfortunately & when Vince said that Goren would have a hard time surviving in the real world... he was right.).