Although possibly in this case a culture difference, this frustration that some directors have felt with Jake (Sam Mendes springs to mind, possibly David Fincher too), has resulted in some of Jake's best work to date and definitely in his growth as an actor. I believe it is also why he chooses to work with these directors - he has never shied away from working with directors he knows will stretch him, test him, and who will draw out from him performances he did not know were inside him and which he will be proud of. This inner anger Jim speaks of is something new for Jake in a character. After listening to this, I want to see Brothers more than ever.
14 comments:
Inner anger doesn't come naturally to Jake? MMMmmm... maybe they haven't tried knocking Jake's teeth off by accident?? LOL.
Very looking forward to Brothers too :) Thanks for the news.
Good night, Wet Dark!
I have not seen the video, because he's back to the top.
Thanks for the transcript of what Jim talked about Jake.
Well, I hope that his performance is good and believe it. I remember he was praised in the test screenings of the film.
Here is some more information:
The Playlist
Jim Sheridan had trouble getting Jake to show anger? Maybe he should have gotten some tips from the director of "The Good Girl," who was pretty shaken by the anger Jake showed in his audition.
In any event, I see this as something that is learned, not innate. Nicholas Cage alarmed quite a few people early in his career when he was practicing for a violent character, and couldn't picture himself being viewed as dangerous. So he committed a violent act on a busy streetcorner (I think he grabbed some gadget from a vendor and threw it on the ground, cursing...). After a while, he got comfortable with his acting, and didn't need to do that sort of thing any more.
I hope that Jake did respond to what Jim Sheridan wanted. Maybe there are limits that Jake won't be able to go past. Julie Andrews was never able to play a villain. Sylvester Stallone flopped when he tried to do comedy. Katharine Hepbutn did a musical ( called "Coco"), and was abysmal.
Unless you're Meryl Streep or a Barrymore, you aren't going to be able to excel at playing every possible character.
Morning all - oh I love a sunny summer :)
Hi Winterbird! I know, Jake didn't seem to have much trouble finding inner anger in Jarhead :D Maybe that put him off...
Morning Monica! Thanks for the Playlist link, that was interesting. I think Jake's performance will be very good and believeable - and different. Can't wait to see it.
Hi Paul! Too true about The Good Girl audition! Maybe Jake has mellowed ;D OMG, that's scary about Nicholas Cage - but I agree that an actor will develop through his or her career, just as we all change as we go through experiences. I think Jake likes to test those limits.
Have a great day everyone! I'm looking forward to this evening's post :D
Inner anger? I think the issue is probably more to do with being seen as not cool, actually. Hollywood culture clash indeed.
I find this sort of info tough to deal with, makes me think less of him I'm afraid! (though strangely, Brothers still/because of this, does sound still good.)
PS. IMHO.
Hi TD :D And thanks for being honest. I read a culture clash behind this myself, because Jim also said that Natalie was the same, although to a lesser extent. The 'not being cool' comment is Jim's perception of what may be a Hollywood style of acting. I don't know - I'm just thinking out loud. But yes, probably not what Sheridan is used too judging from the films he's made. I'm sure, as I mentioned in the post, that Jake will have learned from the experience and given the performance Sheridan wanted. I like to think and hope that Jake wants to be challenged in his film roles, whether it's physically and/or emotionally. Strangely, it makes me want to see Brothers more - to see Jake's performance. I wonder what Natalie thought of Sheridan's comments about Jake and herself. An actor, like the rest of us, has to be able to take criticism. It is interesting. As I said, thanks for being honest :D
Thanks WDW - I entirely agree with you, my reading of it exactly.
TD
What's in tonight's post? You got me all curious now! Is it a Jake bits post? Can't wait! :)
I'm really surprised about that inner anger comment from Jim Sheridan. Jake sure didn't have trouble showing anger in that scene in Jarhead when he threatens to shoot one of the other soldiers (Fergus I think?)with his riffle. Jake actually scared me in that scene. All that repressed rage exploding at the end, threatening to kill someone and then asking Fergus to shoot him, he looked like he was gonna loose his mind! I'm very curious to see Jake's performance in Brothers now.
Have a good day everyone!
Olympia
Hi WDW,
I found this clip fascinating - I love Jim Sheridan, My Left Foot and In The Name of The Father are the two of his films that I have seen & loved, and I'm very much looking forward to Brothers. I'm surprised too, but this comment, because I thought Jake certainly expressed anger in Jarhead, and in BBM to an extent too, and didn't seem to be afraid to venture where some fear to tread emotionally! Also, in Rendition, that imploding anger that Douglas couldn't express, which I think is difficult, to say a lot with a little (except for the scene where he grabs Anwar, which I found frightening because it showed a different kind of loss of control, a dehumanizing one). Rendition was very underated I think. Some films I do enjoy for their emotional expression, but other for the visual impressions, and sometimes both, but I found it so interesting that some emotions defy written description and interpretation, but Jim sure did give a great example.
I'm glad that Jake likes to take roles that are a challenge to him, and can't wait for Brothers. It'll be interesting to see the kind of emotional territory he takes us to. :)
Hi Olympia! You must wait and see :D I'm not at the gym tonight (having made every muscle in my body ache...) so I have time... I do agree about Scary Jake in Jarhead :D
Hi Bertie :D I found it fascinating too - it's alsmot as if Jake and Jim are approaching the same thing but from a different angle. I can't wait to see the result. I agree about Jarhead.
I like Jim Sheridan a lot, but am surprised by the comment on Jake. Seems Jake does know how to dig deep and get that inner anger and such. Just look at Donnie Darko, Jarhead, BBM and Rendition!
I am really looking forward to seeing Brothers.
Glad you are having a sunny summer day, WDW! Hope everyone is having a nice one. :)
Hi Get Real! Jake is so good at expressing real emotion as an actor, whether it explodes or has to be kept hidden. I wonder what Sheridan was expecting. We need to see the film to find out.
The sun's struggling to stay out now, unfortunately. But it's still lovely and warm. I hope you're having a good one :D
Since Jake seems eager to give whatever is asked of him, I doubt that Sheridan would have been thwarted. The fact that the movie is moving toward release means that he must have been satisfied, otherwise he might still be filming ;-).
Maybe Jake isn't normally the kind of actor Sheridan likes to deal with. We all prefer certain things in life, we're all human.
Bertie, I agree that "Rendition" is underrated. It gives such a clear picture of waterboarding that it should be required viewing for anybody who wants to see this type of torture outlawed.
Hi Paul :D I agree that Sheridan would not have released a film he wasn't happy with, and it's very possible he's not used to actors like Jake and Natalie. But I'm sure the results will be great. I also totally agree about Rendition, a film Jake should be proud of.
I'm afraid, Olympia, my promised post has been thwarted by other possible news! But it's still coming :D
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