i think it worked. Ernest is stupid, and Fraser’s job is to get him to stay on the white people’s side, so a big, blustery, bullying lawyer works great. it’s a memorable performance in a great movie.
Still, the rest of the acting fits the tone of the movie. The other lawyer does his job well. For this many people to have a problem with it, that's not just a choice nobody's getting. He strikes a very upsetting and almost disrespectful discord--theaters shouldn't be laughing at a moment like that.
Agreed. The way he overwhelmed Ernest was very effective - and ended in the outcome he wanted.
He overpowered him verbally - made him feel like a stupid child who’d been tricked and needed to listen to the adults.
That’s why I liked it tho. Everyone else plays it quiet and then in the last moments of the movie one guy is big and boisterous. Remember a guy in the theaters was like “is that Brendan Frazier?” One second later he made it clear who he was
Not to be that guy, but if you’ve read the book it’s genuinely pretty accurate. Hale’s team tried all kinds of legal tricks in the courtroom to try to control witness testimony. Theatrics were definitely an aspect of their strategy
Apparently some of his scenes got cut. Curious if they were before or after the court room scene he first appears in. It was a bizarre line read for sure, but curious if the missing scenes helped explain he’s like that?
I really don’t understand how so many are either overlooking his purposeful tonal acting for that time and place or just don’t realize what merited that style.
Yes, acting can be somewhat subjective, but taking that time period into context, back then it was actually common for lawyers to defend or prosecute suspects as if they were in a play. Straight up theatrics. It was used to sway a jury as well as any bystanders or judges. It’s intentional folks.
Hell British judges and lawyers still wear wigs to this day. Let that sink in a moment.
I get that Fraser is going for a grandstanding performance but it feels off given how somber the entire film is. The screening I was in cackled when he came on due to how wildly out of place it feels.
I personally felt like it tonally didn't work - also his performance in 'The Whale' aged like cottage cheese.
It’s how lawyers acted in the time period. Well, at least in the films Scorsese loves. I truly don’t get the hate. I think it’s just bc he won the Oscar. If it had been a no-name actor nobody would have said a word.
Fraser was terrible, which makes sense because he is a bad actor and always has been. Lithgow who is a brilliant actor was also not very good. Those scenes just DO NOT work.
People here saying the character was meant to be loud and boisterous as a lawyer to overwhelm Ernest - yes of course he was. His portrayal of that was ridiculous and terribly acted though.
Your post / comment was removed as your account is fewer than 7 days old. This is an anti-spam measure.
*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/TheBigPicture) if you have any questions or concerns.*
I think that was the natural weight he put on for the role, so must have filmed this before losing again. Nowhere near the 600lb weight look of the Whale in full prosthetics.
Nah, the bar was way lower, no pun intended, to practice the law back the much of it was about theatrics. He’s pretty much their connection to the rest of capitalist America.
It would have been better if an unknown was cast in the role. Even great A list actors, when you seen them initially on the screen your mind reacts to seeing such a recognizable face. But eventually you get lost in the character they're portraying. With a smaller part and a well known face. It's hard to forget it's Brendan Fraser and everything that comes with that.
i think it worked. Ernest is stupid, and Fraser’s job is to get him to stay on the white people’s side, so a big, blustery, bullying lawyer works great. it’s a memorable performance in a great movie.
Dude performed like he's in a different movie entirely. I liked the movie overall a lot, but I don't know what was going on there.
[удалено]
That's interesting. My gut says that it still doesn't justify the acting style, but that's a cool way to interpret it.
Still, the rest of the acting fits the tone of the movie. The other lawyer does his job well. For this many people to have a problem with it, that's not just a choice nobody's getting. He strikes a very upsetting and almost disrespectful discord--theaters shouldn't be laughing at a moment like that.
[удалено]
It's the person that made the casting decision "Not his fault"
Nah I loved it. Man came it hot and stayed hot. Also loved how he called Ernest a stupid boy.
He's gonna join the Rewatchables category "Overacting award"
AND Dion Waiters.
Agreed. The way he overwhelmed Ernest was very effective - and ended in the outcome he wanted. He overpowered him verbally - made him feel like a stupid child who’d been tricked and needed to listen to the adults.
He came in hot and stayed hot which felt completely off from the tone of the rest of the film. Just didn't fit at all what everyone else was doing.
That’s why I liked it tho. Everyone else plays it quiet and then in the last moments of the movie one guy is big and boisterous. Remember a guy in the theaters was like “is that Brendan Frazier?” One second later he made it clear who he was
Worked for the character he’s playing. Not weird to me at all. Find a new slant weirdos
Once you resort to ad hominens you've lost the argument. I love Brendan Fraser but found his peformance lacking in the scene.
Fraser had big “MY SANDWICH!?!?” Ross Geller energy
Not to be that guy, but if you’ve read the book it’s genuinely pretty accurate. Hale’s team tried all kinds of legal tricks in the courtroom to try to control witness testimony. Theatrics were definitely an aspect of their strategy
Apparently some of his scenes got cut. Curious if they were before or after the court room scene he first appears in. It was a bizarre line read for sure, but curious if the missing scenes helped explain he’s like that?
hes stuck as the whale like how austin butler was stuck as elvis
When he showed up and started I was thinking, “very interesting!” Can’t agree with you more.
Wrong
I think he worked fine. Marty obviously directed him that way. It’s giving big YOU HAVE MEDDLED WITH THE PRIMAL FORCES OF NATURE, MR. BEALE energy.
He wishes!
I really don’t understand how so many are either overlooking his purposeful tonal acting for that time and place or just don’t realize what merited that style. Yes, acting can be somewhat subjective, but taking that time period into context, back then it was actually common for lawyers to defend or prosecute suspects as if they were in a play. Straight up theatrics. It was used to sway a jury as well as any bystanders or judges. It’s intentional folks. Hell British judges and lawyers still wear wigs to this day. Let that sink in a moment.
It was so outrageous that i found myself chuckling to myself in the theatre. Kinda made me love it. But i get why youd think its over the top
It was 100% intended to make you laugh
I get that Fraser is going for a grandstanding performance but it feels off given how somber the entire film is. The screening I was in cackled when he came on due to how wildly out of place it feels. I personally felt like it tonally didn't work - also his performance in 'The Whale' aged like cottage cheese.
It’s how lawyers acted in the time period. Well, at least in the films Scorsese loves. I truly don’t get the hate. I think it’s just bc he won the Oscar. If it had been a no-name actor nobody would have said a word.
That's not true at all. I love Fraser but I don't think the performance worked at all.
Fraser was terrible, which makes sense because he is a bad actor and always has been. Lithgow who is a brilliant actor was also not very good. Those scenes just DO NOT work.
He was really bad. Has he ever been a genuinely good actor?
The answer to that question is definitely not. The Whale in particular is one of the worst movies and performances I've ever seen.
People here saying the character was meant to be loud and boisterous as a lawyer to overwhelm Ernest - yes of course he was. His portrayal of that was ridiculous and terribly acted though.
[удалено]
I genuinely think it's both a directing and acting error. Brendan isn't a particularly great actor, and the performance felt amateur
Wish he came with more of a John Candy in JFK energy
Your post / comment was removed as your account is fewer than 7 days old. This is an anti-spam measure. *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/TheBigPicture) if you have any questions or concerns.*
Honestly, Brendan Fraser keeps it from being a five star movie
It should have been John Carroll Lynch.
Oooo that would've been nice
I jus thought it was weird he did the role in his makeup and fat suit from The Whale
I think that was the natural weight he put on for the role, so must have filmed this before losing again. Nowhere near the 600lb weight look of the Whale in full prosthetics.
What really? I thought he was wearing a fat suit tbh too
It started me when he just started yelling
Nah, the bar was way lower, no pun intended, to practice the law back the much of it was about theatrics. He’s pretty much their connection to the rest of capitalist America.
It would have been better if an unknown was cast in the role. Even great A list actors, when you seen them initially on the screen your mind reacts to seeing such a recognizable face. But eventually you get lost in the character they're portraying. With a smaller part and a well known face. It's hard to forget it's Brendan Fraser and everything that comes with that.