The subtlety of the facial expression in acting.

[BigJim]

I remember one of the many Star Wars discussions we had on here in which Dave2112 remarked on Alec Guiness's conveyance of skeptisism only through his eyebrows. I've just seen (for the gazillionth time) my copy of Return of the King and I'm impressed in much the same way by Hugo Weaving as he hands Arwen over to Aragorn. The guy's facial expression conveys his character's feelings in a way that no words could.

Now with one or two exceptions (Mel Gibson at the height of his powers being one), I rarely see this happen with American thespians. What do y'all think? Agree? Disagree?


Jim

 

[steph]

How about John Cusack's face in Grosse Pointe Blank, the scene where he's looking into the baby's eyes at the reunion? They re-run it all the time and no matter what I'm doing, I stop it and watch that scene because the way his face changes is so amazing...😛
XOXO

 

[Celtic_Emperor]

Mannerisms, both implied and non-implied, subtle and not subtle can make or break a moment in film.

Alot of people have tradmarks because they do something a certain way in a way no one else can or no one else trys to. Its uniquely them, and they carry over this essence when they use it, allowing their inward feelings to be expressed by the subtle gestures they inact.

Aragorn for example shows us how humble and loyal and truely pure of soul he is, while Frodo bears the Ring by the way he takes Frodo's hand, closes it, and gentle pushes it away while making eye-contact with him (if I'm not mistaken and didn't he also kiss his hand?).

Its wonderful and something that should be considered sacred in the business, this charisma of unspoken mannerisms. Not everyone has that kind of charisma, and those that do rightfully should be recognized for it. 🙂

 

[milagros317]

Jim, would you count the late Rod Steiger as one of your exceptions? 😀
I think he conveyed quite a lot with facial expression in several of his films, including "In the Heat of the Night" and "The Pawnbroker".

 

[giggleygirl25]

John Astin is a great example of an American actor that can convey so much with so little as a glint in his eye or a tilt of his head.

Robin Williams in his quieter moments when he's not over the top(although he's hysterical no matter what) is good at it too.

 

[featherfingers]

With all the Botox injections actors and actresses are using to 'pretty up' their faces, I'm surprised any of them can move their lips, let alone make facial expressions.

 

[Knox The Hatter]

Sir Alec Guinness was on a level far above the norm, that I'm surprised you'd try to compare him with others. A great, great actor. He was able to convey many abstract qualities through facial expressions, a specialty of his.

Where ya been, Jim? And don't tell me you've been on safari, either. I think I miss your gargantuan interpretations here.

 

[Cav88]

You can call us shallow or whatever, but I never notice the effect of that in any movie I see. I just see at as facial expression.

 

[TklDuo-Ann]

There are certainly many out there for whom the standard expressions seem to be all they can handle. I think the greats....those that continually give a memorable performance that is totally believable...are those who can really get into the character and the story. That's something that's often difficult to do...esp. if they can't really relate to the character.

When I forget that one of my fav actors/actresses is the one playing a character, THAT'S when I know that both the story and performance are great. There are a few actors/actresses who never seem to let you forget that it's them on the screen. I tend to not like them as much. You know...those who have the standard "look at me" expressions no matter what's going on around them. They're more interested in being noticed than telling the story.

Ann

 

[BigJim]

Jim, would you count the late Rod Steiger as one of your exceptions? 😀
I think he conveyed quite a lot with facial expression in several of his films, including "In the Heat of the Night" and "The Pawnbroker".

Quite possibly, as he's a definate great actor. I havn't seen either of those films of course, so I couldn't be more definate than "probably". To be frank I'm not talking about facial expressions per se, but subtle ones; even passive and understated. Americans are the kings of angry, intenese, pissed off and raving. I'm talking about very subdued stuff.


Good replies so far peeps, and very interesting reading.

 

[Oddjob0226]

Buster Keaton hardly moved his face at all, but could convey satisfaction, contentment, sadness or fear with his eyes.

For comedy, both Dan Akroyd and John Belushi could use their face (Belushi especially the brows) to convey emotion without making it too big. I think Belushi did it better in his comedy roles and Akroyd better in his serious roles.

Interestingly, like Guiness, these performers began their craft on live stages before moving on to film.

American newswoman Linda Ellerbee once got in trouble with a network exec in the 1980s for "editorializing with her eyebrows".