An act of genius, or of self-indulgence?
Fraser Nelson 12:34pm
Does Daniel Day Lewis deserve an Oscar for There Will Be Blood? I'd say so, over Clooney anyway - who rarely differs the characters he plays. In a Hollywood era where stars basically play themselves, Day Lewis changes beyond recognition and always has - think Room with a View, My Beautiful Laundrette or My Left Foot.
But he has a detractor in Gerald Kaufman, who has just recorded an interview for GMTV on Sunday. This is his take:-
"There Will Be Blood is one of the most phoney and ostentatious films I've seen for years, technically brilliant - but, technically brilliant - anybody can do that. I went to see, when Amadeus got its showing at the National Theatre, I went to see it and the actor playing Salieri, whom I will not name out of respect, seemed to be saying to the audience, 'Look at me! I'm a great actor giving a great performance' and it's the same with Daniel Day-Lewis. I don't question the accomplishment of Daniel Day-Lewis as an actor, but that performance! It was so self-indulgent, but he'll get the Oscar for it."
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David
February 22nd, 2008 1:03pm Report this comment"technically brilliant - but, technically brilliant - anybody can do that." Off you go then, Gerald. I shall be expecting your name on the nomination lists next year.
Austin Barry
February 22nd, 2008 1:07pm Report this commentDDL is a great Anglo/Irish ham in a long and noble tradition, having assumed the role from Mr Peter O'Toole. The Great O'Toole though never took himself as seriously as DDL, and indeed in the latter stages of his theatrical career seemed to be parodying Katharine Hepburn for his own amusement.
Hamster
February 22nd, 2008 3:03pm Report this commentDaniel Day Lewis is a crashing bore. His self-importance knows no bounds. "I can't carry on as Hamlet because I saw my dad's ghost on stage." In other words, look out everybody, I'm more Shakespeare than Shakespeare was: I actually saw a ghost - no acting with me because it's all so real. I suppose it wouldn't do to have people think too much of the alternative scenario: that he's a ham and a coward. If you want to see good acting, go see Simon Russell Beale. Forget dear Dannykins.
Idle
February 22nd, 2008 3:25pm Report this commentI just wish that Kaufperson (or any of his colleagues in ZaNuLabour) had shown ANY ability in the technocratic field.
David Parker
February 22nd, 2008 6:56pm Report this commentAn inflated ego is, with rare exceptions, an essential characteristic of most successful actors. However, to have earned the public disapproval of Gerald Kaufman, is an accolade far more valuable than any Oscar.
mark
February 22nd, 2008 11:39pm Report this commentwell I think the film was excellent - both technically and as an observation of a man moving from obsession to madness. Although I think Clooney probably played his best role in Clayton as the tired Mr Fixit, I reckon DDL deserves the award.
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