[HPFGU-Movie] Digest Number 570

[Sara]

--- HPFGU-Movie at yahoogroups.com wrote:
>I'm just wondering why so many folks are questioning
>Gary Oldman (who I happen to think is perfect)?? 
>What's really guiding your 
>choices, adolescent fantasies (I thought this was >a
"grown up" forum) or actors who actually fit the
>part?

>Okay, I'm going to make a case for Mr. Oldman.. He's
>a fine actor, who will CONVINCINGLY make for the
>chilling mugshot he's suppose to 
>sport post-azkaban. Plus, he can pull off the
>intensity that is expressed during that wonderful
>climax, and the fierce protectiveness for Harry. 

>And contrary to popular belief, he DOES clean up
>rather well, while still retaining his mysterious
>hard edge (all qualities Oldman has 
>in spades, which none of the other suggested actors
>have). 

>Still your fluttering hormones and go by who actually
>fits Ms. Rowling's description and I guarantee,
>Oldman comes out on top everytime....I mean come on,
>Hugh Jackman???


Yeah, I will freely admit that I was hoping Sirius
would be portrayed as more of a handsome, if haunted,
man - and I see that hope as no reason to call
people's maturity into question. After all, Sirius was
described as quite handsome in the wedding photo, and
even post-Azkaban Harry came to recognize that same
man in the wasted prisoner before him when he finally
saw Sirius for what he was. By no means would I have
wanted the film makers to cast some twenty-something
pretty boy with no acting talent in the role. But I
believe I did imagine Sirius to have a physical
presence at least as commanding as Snape's - something
that Oldman, for all his talent, does not possess.

Looks aside, however, my primary concern is much like
that which Kriselda expressed: a doubt as to whether
Gary is suited to play a character who becomes a bit
like a father-figure to Harry - a fierce guardian, and
compassionate and loyal friend. With the exception of
a few of his earliest films, I have seen every movie
Oldman has made - including "Immortal Beloved" several
times over. There is no question that he is a
powerful, intense actor who can play characters that
are mysterious, passionate, sexy and scheming - and
thus I know he can pull off the "escaped murderer bent
on revenge" aspect of Sirius. It's the warmer, more
human side of the character that worries me. His
Beethoven was a brilliant, haunted, passionate genius;
yet that still doesn't convince me that he's right for
Sirius.

However, I am completely open to being pleasantly
surprised, as I very well may be. Indeed, I truly hope
I am. I don't think anyone is sitting around thinking,
"Oh, I really despise that casting choice. I think
he's going to be awful, I hope he's awful, and I hope
he ruins the whole experience for me." No one wants
that. Many of us did NOT read about Sirius (or read
his scenes now) and think of Gary Oldman, and I
believe we have the right to at least question the
choice with regard to our own mental picture of the
character. Hopefully we'll be proven wrong. But I
don't there's anything "adolescent" about voicing an
opinion concerning the casting of one of the books'
most beloved characters.

Sara


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