Author Topic: What did Heath and Jake bring to their characters? (Read 36244 times)

dirtbiker · « **Reply #30 on:** Jan 16, 2006, 10:33 AM »

Quote from: daveya26 on Jan 16, 2006, 09:00 AM

Hi

I like Matt Damon a lot and I think he couldve done a decent job of this role. However, I too couldnt imagine anyone but Heath in the role now, but that's in hindsight, who knew he was capable of such great acting?!

Also, Matt is far too small, Ennis needed to be a big chap I think - apart from that, Matt's ambigious sexuality (but primarily gay role) in Talented Mr Ripley wouldve definitely overshadowed any performance he gave as Ennis.

Actually, I feel Talented Mr Ripley and BBM are fairly similar for me - theyre both slow burning movies that look deeply into the psychology of the protagonists, dealing with regret and mistakes made that change you forever, theyre both also beautiful movies to look at - however, the love Tom Ripley has for Dickie is obviously very twisted and nothing like that of Jack and Ennis. Anyway, I know what I mean lol

Matt does have a jaw structure similar to Heath...

jccountryboy · « **Reply #31 on:** Jan 22, 2006, 05:03 PM »

I think the confliction with the rest of their lives was something that made itself much more apparent in the movie than in the book, like the scene when Ennis and Jack get caught kissing outside of Ennis' residence when they meet up for the first time in forever. That was such a strong moment, I mean from an emotional standpoint, that moment crushed Ennis' wife, but I as well as a few others in the theater couldn't do anything buy laugh. It wasn't really funny just, incomprehensible. Jake's character was simply torn, the scene where he was leaving Ennis' after finding out that he couldn't be with him because he had the girls that day, that was a very emotionally strong scene, showing the conflict he held in his heart for what was going on in his life.

rabjr1 · « **Reply #32 on:** Jan 26, 2006, 09:24 AM »

Quote from: chameau on Jan 09, 2006, 09:50 PM

I have some questions, I know best actor/actress, could have two Oscar winners the same year. One example Barbra Streisand (Funny Girl) and Katharine Hepburn (The Lion in Winter) in 1968, two different movies. Technically, does the Academy allows two actors/actresses being nominated for the same movie and the same award? If yes, Jake and Heath should be nominated both for best actor in a leading role.. and winning both! On my second viewing I looked more carefully at Jake's acting, he really moved me, in the last BBM of Ennis and Jack encounter scene, God was he good?. I just find Heath miraculous, if only one Oscar, it's for him. But Jake is very close. Oh my God! The two winning best actors together! I just wanted the share that dream. Another question, Michelle being nominated and winning. Heath being nominated and winning. Would it be the first couple winning, same year, same movie?

Barbra got it because she was incredible in a fantastic movie (BBM) that she had to share it with KH was a travesty because KH was given the award due to her longevity.

I don't think Jake will be nominated in Best Actor (please no votes taken away from Heath and Phillip Hoffman gets more votes)

Jake is the supporting actor par excellance. I don't think that Heath could have given the performance he did with another actor in "Jack's" role also the same for Jake, without Heath would there be the "Jack" we see on screen?

They should win Heath-Best Actor Jake-Supporting Actor

ragtimecowboy · « **Reply #33 on:** Jan 26, 2006, 04:38 PM »

Heath brought Ennis to life. Through his closed mouthed tight speech, his walk, and his portrayal of the gamut of emotions of this character, he gave us a very accurate picture of Ennis. Jake 's interpetation of Jack, provided a perfect balance to Heath. It is evident throughtout this picture, that the interplay between these two very fine actors, resulted in a movie that has stolen the hearts of America. I read the story first. Ang Lee couldn't have chosen two better actors to play these parts

guajillo55 · « **Reply #34 on:** Jan 26, 2006, 11:37 PM »

I liked what Annie Proulx herself said in one of her interviews:

"I thought they were magnificent, both of them. Jake Gyllenhall's Jack Twist ... wasn't the Jack Twist that I had in mind when I wrote this story. The Jack that I saw was jumpier, homely. But Gyllenhall's sensitivity and subtleness in this role is just huge. The scenes he's in have a kind of quicksilver feel to them. Heath Ledger is just almost really beyond description as far as I'm concerned. He got inside the story more deeply than I did. All that thinking about the character of Ennis that was so hard for me to get, Ledger just was there. He did indeed move inside the skin of the character, not just in the shirt but inside the person. It was remarkable."

francis.shim · « **Reply #35 on:** Jan 27, 2006, 12:08 AM »

Howdy.

For me, both Heath and Jake brought a conviction of trying to do the right thing to their characters.

I know that sounds awkward, but that was how it was for me. I watched and read... and I could see the difficulties that they had with "how am I going to make this work out right?" keep flickering through the scenes. It was so perfect, it was like every step of the way, there was a sort of tension and conflict ever present and it worked for Jack and Ennis.

I mean in reality, Jack and Ennis really would be going through tension and conflict, warring within themselves about what to do how to do it and how to act.

I just thought that that tension really worked for me, ultimately, making Jack and Ennis real to me.

Frank

City Slickin' Cowboy · « **Reply #36 on:** Jan 28, 2006, 07:20 PM »

Prior to the release of BBM I had no familiarity with Heath Ledger's past performances. His most notable performances were in films I had heard of, but had not seen.

I was more familiar with Jake Gyllenhall having seen him in "The Day After Tomorrow." I liked the film and Jake's performance but in my opinion, it was not a film for nurturing Oscar-quality performances. Even still, I was able to recognize that Jake had the makings for a fine actor and was not just a pretty face. Needless to say what I saw in BBM far exceeded my expectations of what he could deliver at this stage of his career.

I truly hope Oscar nominations are ahead for both of these guys. Oscar wins for both would be well deserved. If BBM doesn't take at least 3 of the big categories I will be inconsolable for days!!

chameau · « **Reply #37 on:** Jan 28, 2006, 11:56 PM »

Quote

I truly hope Oscar nominations are ahead for both of these guys. Oscar wins for both would be well deserved. If BBM doesn't take at least 3 of the big categories I will be inconsolable for days!!

Inconsolable?

I would be devastated and considering becoming a monk in a monastery! Leaving this valley of tears!

O.k. chameau calm down, you're being a bit off topic.

scruffy · « **Reply #38 on:** Jan 29, 2006, 12:09 AM »

The one thing these two actors did was make the caracters real. I mean, we are expected to have some suspended disbelief during a movie but that faux reality has lived with me long afterwards. I actually believe that somehow these characters exist. I grieve for them like I would grieve for a cousin. No other movie has done that to me. No other film has made me believe as much as I believe in these people.

I can't put my finger on it. I just loved the little things. Heath's sense of timing was perfect. He lets us see the wheels grinding away in Ennis' mind before he reacts to the people around him. A simple "what" or "what are you doing" says volumes. The physical language is amazing.

And then there's Jake. I was really endeared to this guy. He was allowed to show emotion so his roll could have been a bit easier to play. But there were really cute little extras added to the character. Has anyone noticed how Jake portrays Jack as a clutz. He trips around the campfire, he was thrown by a mare (broken harmonica), he trips on his heel when picking up Lureen's hat at the rodeo, and he can't even catch daddy's car keys. I find that priceless. We're led to believe that as clumsy as he is, Jack thinks he can be a great bull rider. With a limited guidence from the original story I think that is an amazing way to show that Jack was a dreamer. I'd be really interested to know if these clumsy scenes were actually written into the script or if Jake added them.

Usually, when I see a good movie and run it back through my head, I see the scenes framed like in the theatre. Not in this case. I see the film as if it was a memory -- the full visual panorama as if I was somehow a part of it. These actors sucked me right into their world.

I've fallen and I can't get up.

Toadily · « **Reply #39 on:** Jan 29, 2006, 12:13 AM »

Quote from: scruffy on Jan 29, 2006, 12:09 AM

The one thing these two actors did was make the caracters real. I mean, we are expected to have some suspended disbelief during a movie but that faux reality has lived with me long afterwards. I actually believe that somehow these characters exist. I grieve for them like I would grieve for a cousin. No other movie has done that to me. No other film has made me believe as much as I believe in these people.

I can't put my finger on it. I just loved the little things. Heath's sense of timing was perfect. He lets us see the wheels grinding away in Ennis' mind before he reacts to the people around him. A simple "what" or "what are you doing" says volumes. The physical language is amazing.

And then there's Jake. I was really endeared to this guy. He was allowed to show emotion so his roll could have been a bit easier to play. But there were really cute little extras added to the character. Has anyone noticed how Jake portrays Jack as a clutz. He trips around the campfire, he was thrown by a mare (broken harmonica), he trips on his heel when picking up Lureen's hat at the rodeo, and he can't even catch daddy's car keys. I find that priceless. We're led to believe that as clumsy as he is, Jack thinks he can be a great bull rider. With a limited script I think that is an amazing way to show that Jack was a dreamer. I'd be really interested to know if these clumsy scenes were actually written into the script or if Jake added them.

Usually, when I see a good movie and run it back through my head, I see the scenes framed like in the theatre. Not in this case. I see the film as if it was a memory -- the full visual panorama as if I was somehow a part of it. These actors sucked me right into their world.

I've fallen and I can't get up.

Those are really good obsevations, I hadn't thought of that. But yeah he falls over during the earlier scene with Ennis playing rodeo, he
tries to buy the rodeo clown a drink, he is a clutz in how he walks etc.

Sitaram · « **Reply #40 on:** Jan 29, 2006, 12:29 AM »

Quote from: Toadily on Jan 02, 2006, 04:43 PM

I think Jake added more of Jack's longing, and Heath added more of Enni's angst.
The looks and subtle things are so amazing, and can't be in a book.

Longing and angst! This is good.

Fire and ice.

Robert Frost's little poem.

Does the world end in fire or ice?

City Slickin' Cowboy · « **Reply #41 on:** Jan 29, 2006, 12:43 AM »

Quote from: scruffy on Jan 29, 2006, 12:09 AM

Usually, when I see a good movie and run it back through my head, I see the scenes framed like in the theatre. Not in this case. I see the film as if it was a memory -- the full visual panorama as if I was somehow a part of it. These actors sucked me right into their world.

I've fallen and I can't get up.

I really have to agree with you there. This, at least partialy, explains why I can't get this film out of my head! It probably contributes to why I've gone to the theater 15 times to view it. The absolute brilliance of Ang Lee and these actors have made this story very real to me.

Oh when will it all end?

jimnick · « **Reply #42 on:** Jan 29, 2006, 01:37 PM »

Quote

Oh when will it all end?

Quote

Does a circle have an end?

*Froggy* · « **Reply #43 on:** Jan 29, 2006, 04:24 PM »

Quote from: jimnick on Jan 29, 2006, 01:37 PM

Does a circle have an end?

Thank you Jim

x moua Froggy

merry · « **Reply #44 on:** Feb 01, 2006, 02:17 AM »

They bring a lot, without any doubt... Their sincerity is amazing, it is even quite destabilizing. We feel, watching them play, that they know much about the situation. I didn't know the actor Heath Ledger and I was astonished by Gyllenhaal's interpretation. There is a huge gap between his role in Brokeback mountain and his role in The day after tomorrow.

Merry

JerBear418720 · « **Reply #45 on:** Feb 03, 2006, 11:25 AM »

Comments about Heath from Diana Ossana's essay Climbing Brokeback Mountain:

"Once Ang Lee commited to direct and Focus Features obtained financing, we cast the film in short order. Each role, in Larry's (McMurtry) words was cast "to perfection". I had long wanted Heath Ledger for our film, knew in my gut that he had it in him to portray Ennis. Larry saw only his performance in Monster's Ball, and with his keen eye and decisive manner remarked, "That young man IS Ennis".

Comment about Heath from Annie Proulx's essay Getting Movied (she had just seen the movie):

"Heath Ledger...knew better than I how Ennis felt and thought. (His) intimate depiction of that achingly needy ranch kid builds with frightening power".

Why add anthing to this? I think my opinions pale before those of these gifted writers.

*Froggy* · « **Reply #46 on:** Feb 03, 2006, 02:30 PM »

Quote from: JerBear418720 on Feb 03, 2006, 11:25 AM

"Heath Ledger...knew better than I how Ennis felt and thought. (His) intimate depiction of that achingly needy ranch kid builds with frightening power".

Why add anthing to this? I think my opinions pale before those of these gifted writers.

Cowboy Cody · « **Reply #47 on:** Feb 03, 2006, 09:43 PM »

Annie said that Heath literally climbed into the skin of Ennis. And even Heath said he felt Ennis was tight, much like a balled up fist, said he wanted to play the part in that manner, and he sure did. No one else could have pulled off that performance, no one. Same goes for Jake, no one else in my mind's eye could have played that part with so much hopefulness only to watch it whither away with the passage of years. What really stood out was the one scene where Jake has his neck stretched out and the veins in his throat are throbbing, you got that innate feeling that Jake understood.

ethan · « **Reply #48 on:** Feb 03, 2006, 11:54 PM »

While watching the movie tonight, Ennis was Ennis. I didn't have any sense of Heath Ledger at all. He did pull off the great performance. Jake's performance just got better every single time. He spoke with his eyes - amazing.

stationbbm · « **Reply #49 on:** Feb 04, 2006, 12:16 AM »

Quote from: ethan on Feb 03, 2006, 11:54 PM

While watching the movie tonight, Ennis was Ennis. I didn't have any sense of Heath Ledger at all. He did pull off the great performance. Jake's performance just got better every single time. He spoke with his eyes - amazing.

I've said it once and it bears repeating, Ledger gave the performance of a lifetime. He will go down in the annals of acting history as having been among those most profound in their craft to have fully transformed a character from beginning to end. If he continues along this similar course through the remainder of his career, I truly believe that he will be held up among the Oliviers, Hepburns, Stewarts, Pacinos, and other acting icons to name a few. He will one day grace the Halls of the Academy by receiving life-time achievement awards for acting excellence. You heard it here first.

stationbbm

JerBear418720 · « **Reply #50 on:** Feb 04, 2006, 02:52 AM »

Quote from: stationbbm on Feb 04, 2006, 12:16 AM

Quote from: ethan on Feb 03, 2006, 11:54 PM
While watching the movie tonight, Ennis was Ennis. I didn't have any sense of Heath Ledger at all. He did pull off the great performance. Jake's performance just got better every single time. He spoke with his eyes - amazing.

I've said it once and it bears repeating, Ledger gave the performance of a lifetime. He will go down in the annals of acting history as having been among those most profound in their craft to have fully transformed a character from beginning to end. If he continues along this similar course through the remainder of his career, I truly believe that he will be held up among the Oliviers, Hepburns, Stewarts, Pacinos, and other acting icons to name a few. He will one day grace the Halls of the Academy by receiving life-time achievement awards for acting excellence. You heard it here first.

stationbbm

I think that Heath's calling is to be a character actor. He disappears into a role at least as well as Meryl Streep (an acknowledged genius). He'll be taken much more seriously as a great talent thanks to BBM. If he chooses the right roles, we'll see his name again and again when the Academy announces nominations. Also, if he can give us Ennis at 26, imagine his range by the time he is 40!

*Froggy* · « **Reply #51 on:** Feb 04, 2006, 09:26 AM »

Quote from: ethan on Feb 03, 2006, 11:54 PM

Jake's performance just got better every single time. He spoke with his eyes - amazing.

He does, doesn't he? It's amazing all the emotions he can express with his eyes, I'm amazed everytime

Cowboy Cody · « **Reply #52 on:** Feb 04, 2006, 10:08 PM »

Quote from: frog123 on Feb 04, 2006, 09:26 AM

Quote from: ethan on Feb 03, 2006, 11:54 PM
Jake's performance just got better every single time. He spoke with his eyes - amazing.

He does, doesn't he? It's amazing all the emotions he can express with his eyes, I'm amazed everytime

I thought that was really amazing how he used his face, and body to convey the emotion. The one scene where he's yellin' at Ennis with his hands on his hips, neck and head thrust out like a bull, veins pulsing (which you can really see, which was amazing to me). At first I thought Ennis lacked in telling the story with his face, then I was like Cowboy ya big dummy, he's supposed to be stoic, almost ambivalent.

*Froggy* · « **Reply #53 on:** Feb 05, 2006, 10:48 AM »

He deserves the Oscar!!!!

francis.shim · « **Reply #54 on:** Feb 05, 2006, 10:49 AM »

Quote from: frog123 on Feb 05, 2006, 10:48 AM

He deserves the Oscar!!!!

Oscar, who is Oscar!!! He deserves to have Jack again!!!

Jack Nasty loves him!!!

Peace,
Frank (aka Jack Nasty)

Cowboy Cody · « **Reply #55 on:** Feb 05, 2006, 10:53 AM »

Quote from: frog123 on Feb 05, 2006, 10:48 AM

He deserves the Oscar!!!!

Froggy, if he doesn't get it, I don't know how long it will take me to ever go back to the movies again.

*Froggy* · « **Reply #56 on:** Feb 05, 2006, 10:55 AM »

Quote from: Cowboy Cody on Feb 05, 2006, 10:53 AM

Quote from: frog123 on Feb 05, 2006, 10:48 AM
He deserves the Oscar!!!!

Froggy, if he doesn't get it, I don't know how long it will take me to ever go back to the movies again.

I know...it would be so unfair...BTW as usual we will have a live thread for the Oscars...hope you can join us...we will advertise it closer to the Oscars

City Slickin' Cowboy · « **Reply #57 on:** Feb 05, 2006, 01:46 PM »

Quote from: frog123 on Feb 05, 2006, 10:55 AM

Quote from: Cowboy Cody on Feb 05, 2006, 10:53 AM
Quote from: frog123 on Feb 05, 2006, 10:48 AM
He deserves the Oscar!!!!

Froggy, if he doesn't get it, I don't know how long it will take me to ever go back to the movies again.

I know...it would be so unfair...BTW as usual we will have a live thread for the Oscars...hope you can join us...we will advertise it closer to the Oscars

Was this "perfect casting" or what? Sure there were others who could have been considered for the part, but who could have delivered this level of intensity? I can't think of any current actors...or maybe I'm just extremely biased for now.

*Froggy* · « **Reply #58 on:** Feb 05, 2006, 03:42 PM »

Quote from: jarwill-nc on Feb 05, 2006, 01:46 PM

Was this "perfect casting" or what? Sure there were others who could have been considered for the part, but who could have delivered this level of intensity? I can't think of any current actors...or maybe I'm just extremely biased for now.

I think we all are! biased that is!

Cowboy Cody · « **Reply #59 on:** Feb 05, 2006, 08:20 PM »

Quote from: frog123 on Feb 05, 2006, 10:55 AM

Quote from: Cowboy Cody on Feb 05, 2006, 10:53 AM
Quote from: frog123 on Feb 05, 2006, 10:48 AM
He deserves the Oscar!!!!

Froggy, if he doesn't get it, I don't know how long it will take me to ever go back to the movies again.

I know...it would be so unfair...BTW as usual we will have a live thread for the Oscars...hope you can join us...we will advertise it closer to the Oscars

You bet I'm gonna be here for that. I might even have to have a conference call with some of you guys to discuss.

About their acting, what really struck home was the fact that you feel in love with Jack and Ennis, not Jake and Heath. You didn't sit there watching, thinking to yourself, boy that Heath Ledger sure is good in this role. When they absorb and become the characters they have, they have earned that special right to be called the accomplished professional. I've seen only a few handfuls of those types of performances over the years.