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Matthew Macdyen

Posted by Harmonia (A) on October 5, 2007 at 16:55:26

In Reply to: Favorite young actors that are not usually mentioned as "the best:" posted by tinear on October 3, 2007 at 14:28:14:

If the 33 year old Macfadyen's known at all in this country it's for his erotically charged portrayal of Darcy in 2005's Pride & Prejudice.

Yet he's hysterically funny in the current Death At A Funeral, playing the straight man, a person of mediore talents but great heart. He anchors the whole farcical enterprise.

In his native Britain he has a slew of highly regarded TV roles and stage work (for the National Theater and Royal Shakspeare Company). He's done great work in the little seen Warriors (called "Peacekeepers: in US), played the charming cad in The Way We Live Now, set hearts aflutter as a secret agent in Spooks (MI-5 in US), a child molester in Secret Life and as an explorer of the heart in Perfect Strangers (Almost Strangers in US). Can be seen in supporting roles in the fearture films Enigma and The Reckoning (with Paul Bettany).

Best performance to date was in the NZ film In My Father's Den, which I saw at a film fest - an absolutely heart breaking, iconic performance up there with any acotr anywhere. The DVD is out in the states in November.

He's now filming Frost/Nixon with director Ron Howard, next film out will be Incendiary with Ewan MacGregor.

The guy can be sexy and charming in one part, and totally unrecognizable as a nebishy nerd in the next. Not much thespian ego or vanity, just a very honest, subtle and powerful actor. Beautiful voice too. Not conventionally handsome, which is probably a plus. Huge range. Dunno how interested he is in moving to Hollywood for a big movie career - seems to want to stick around London with wife and kids.

Someone to watch out for, though his looks will keep him forever in character roles, is Benedict Cumberbatch, last seen in To The Ends of The Earth and Amazing Grace. Out nect in The Other Boleyn Girl. Michael Sheen is a favorite of mine (Tony Blair in The Queen) - he's also playing david Frost in the aforementioned Fronst/Nixon.

James McAvoy was really really good in Last King Of Scotland, I'm anxious to see him in Atonement, Joe Wright's acclaimed new film.

More Brits...

I wish Hollywood knew how to use Rufus Sewell, whom I had the pleasure of seeing onstage years ago. A wonderful and versatile actor that keeps getting wasted as the villainin big commercial films...argh. He's a contrary sort in picking roles and it's hurt him. Ioan Gruffudd is another talented Brit languishing in tripe like Fantastic Four. Love to see Chiwetel Ejiofor in another lead role...PLEASE. And I'd love to see Jeremy Northam in almost anything.

The ground of old Blighty is thick with talented actors most of American doesn't know...I could go on and on...

Yanks and Canucks...

I'll agree on Frasier, although some of this is due to roles offered and choice of material. He was brilliant in Gods and Monsters and excellent in The Quiet America. Just needs the right roles, as does everyone, to show his range.

Peter Saarsgard is a great favorite of mine. I don't think I've ever seen him give a bad performance in anything, including very difficult to negotiate parts like those in Kinsey and Shattered Glass. He's always subtle and believable.

And I like John Cusack. I just do. I want to see him in something challenging and serious for a change. I guess he's not young anymore, but perhaps youngish. He was good in the recent 1408...but I'm hoping for something of quality one of these days...dunno if that's The Martian Child but there is Oscar buzz for his role in Grace Is Gone.

I'm glad Clive Owen, Jake Gyllenhaal and Christian Bales no longer qualify for this list.

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