Jeremy Northam- Actor of the Week

Ah, Jeremy Northam. This guy can do period drama. Or period comedy. Or anything in a cravat! No, seriously, he has been in some of my favourite films. I mean first we have Emma:

Jeremy Northam as Mr. Knightley in Emma 1996

"Try not to kill my dogs."

And then we have him playing the only real life character in Gosford Park, composer/singer/actor Ivor Novello:

Jeremy Northam in Gosford Park

Morris Weissman: How do you manage to put up with these people?
Ivor Novello: Well, you forget, I make my living impersonating them.

Then we have him in Henry James' The Golden Bowl with Kate Beckinsale Anjelica Huston and Uma Thurmon:

Has anyone seen this one? I didn't know this one even existed.  I will have to track it one down and let you know what I think. It looks interesting, even though I am not a great fan of Henry James in general.

As he is maturing, he is getting some interesting meaty roles like Sir Thomas More in The Tudors:

Jeremy Northam as Sir Thomas More in The Tudors

Sir Thomas More: If the lion knows its own strength, no man could control it...

And I loved him opposite Peter O'Toole in Dean Spanley. An adaptation of an Edwardian era novella about a father/son relationship and a reincarnated dog. I kid you not. It is adorable!

Jeremy Northam and Peter O'Toole in Dean Spanley

"It's often occurred to me that pulling a dog away from a lamppost is akin to seizing a scholar at the British Museum by the scruff of his neck and dragging him away from his studies."

And in support of Movember, we have Jeremy Northam playing THE Ideal Husband. I may have my hubby watch this one again...

Julianne Moore and Jeremy Northam in An Ideal Husband

Sir Robert Chiltern: If you are suggesting, Sir Edward, that my position in society owes anything to my wife, you are utterly mistaken. It owes everything to my wife.

And he is uber sexy opposite Jennifer Ehle in Possession:

Jennifer Ehle and Jeremy Northam in Possession

Randolph Ash: They say that women change: 'tis so: but you are ever-constant in your changefulness, like that still thread of falling river, one from source to last embrace in the still pool ever-renewed and ever-moving on from first to last a myriad water-drops.

Be still my beating heart! And last but not least, my fave quote from the film Emma, although it is not to be found in Jane Austen's book, I think she would approve!

Jeremy Northam and Gwyneth Paltrow in Emma

Mr. Knightley: Marry me. Marry me, my wonderful, darling friend.

So...which of Jeremy's films is your fave? There were so many great films, I didn't even get them all into this post! Keep them coming Jeremy!

Dean Spanley - Jeremy Northam, Peter O'Toole, Sam Neill and reincarnation of dogs!

Dean Spanley Poster starring Jeremy Northam, Sam Neill and Peter O'Toole

My husband (the Squire) went to the video store last week and asked them for "That Edwardian film about the guy who thinks he is a dog".  He was handed Wolfman by a girl at Blockbuster who couldn't have been more than 17.  He finally gave up and came home with Hot Tub Time Machine! So of course, I just ordered it for myself from Amazon (along with The Impressionists, which I will review later). He's a good man to try to rent it for me however.

Dean Spanley is a little sleeper of a film that will warm your heart on a cold winter night. Based on a 1936 novella by Lord Dunsany, the Edwardian setting will appeal to all who are in Downton Abbey withdrawal. Peter O'Toole and Jeremy Northam play a father and son who don't quite see eye to eye, especially on the subject of the loss of two family members. Jeremy Northam narrates this in his mellifluous Mr. Knightley voice and although the film starts slowly, it is a lovely build up to a heart warming conclusion.

Sam Neill as Dean Spanley

Sam Neill, in the title role, plays a quirky clergyman with an unusual interest in dogs and a real hatred for cats and pigs.  Jeremy Northam's character, Henslowe Fisk, is sufficiently intrigued with the Dean to tempt him to dinner with his favourite Hungarian wine (Imperial Tokay).  A few small glasses of this rare wine brings out recollections of a past life (as a Welsh Spaniel!) in the Dean.  Sam Neill is a hoot to watch as he is transported by the wine.

Jeremy Northam and Peter O'Toole as the Fisks in Dean Spanley

Peter O'Toole gives a masterful performance as the crusty but gradually softening Horatio Fisk, as only a classic British actor of his generation could do.  Supporting roles by Judy Parfitt as the housekeeper/cook and Aussie Bryan Brown as the conveyancer who helps obtain the Tokay provide some comic relief.  And the dogs in this film will steal your heart.

So if you have ever truly loved a dog, and have a weakness for well done period drama, this film will also steal your heart.  Our local Blockbuster actually had 2 copies but it is mine now! I think I may watch it again this week...