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!

An Ideal Husband 1999 starring Rupert Everett

An Ideal Husband 1999

"To love oneself is the beginning of a lifelong romance." 

Rupert Everett was made for Oscar Wilde. And of course, he plays the Wilde type character of Lord Goring in An Ideal Husband with such relish that you almost think you are seeing Oscar Wilde himself on the screen. Bravo!!!

Cate Blanchett struts her stuff in An Ideal Husband

I won't give the plot away in case you haven't seen this film or the play on which it is based. Suffice it to say that Jeremy Northam and Cate Blanchett play the "ideal couple" Sir Robert and Lady Gertrude Chiltern in this story who of course find things a bit rocky for a while. Everett plays the confirmed bachelor Lord Goring and Minnie Driver plays the naughty but nice Miss Mabel who is interested in him. Julianne Moore plays the just plain nasty Mrs. Cheveley who stirs things up quite handily for all.

Rupert Everett and Cate Blanchett having a serious conversation

 
"All I know, Gertrude, is that it takes great courage to see the world in all its tainted glory, and still to love it. And even more courage to see it in the one you love. Gertrude, you have more courage than any woman I have ever known. Do not be afraid now to use it." 

You'll hate Julianne Moore and love Jeremy Northam as you should!

 "A rather charming little idea has come into my head, and now that I consider it, I find it to be a rather charming big idea."

Minnie Driver has a riot with this role as usual

"My dear father, if we men married the women we deserved... we should have a very bad time of it."


Well, I will leave you with Oscar Wilde's wise words and my hearty recommendation of this film. Oh, and the play is pretty darn good too if you are lucky enough to see it live!

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P.S. If any of you have seen the lower budget but perhaps "closer to the play" version from 2000 with Jonathan Firth, James Wilbey and Sadie Frost, please let me know what you think. I love the above version very much, but I am always open, especially to a brother of Colin Firth!

Gosford Park 2001-a Robert Altman classic

Gosford Park 2001

Gosford Park is a classic British ensemble piece, set in England at a country house weekend in 1932. It was written by Julian Fellowes(of Downton Abbey), who really knows what the English aristocracy do and did at their country houses on the weekends, so he is in his element here. And director Robert Altman is also at his best with the large talented cast, overlapping dialogue and improvisation which gives realism to this brilliant film.

Apparently, this film was originally conceived by Bob Balaban (who plays American producer Morris Weissman) and Robert Altman in 1999 when Altman suggested a whodunnit and asked Julian Fellowes to write the script.

Kristen Scott Thomas in Gosford Park

Kirsten Scott Thomas plays the aristocratic lady of the house, Lady Sylvia McCordle, who won her husband by drawing cards with her sister to see who would marry the older (but rich) Sir William McCordle (played by Michael Gambon).  Not sure if she won that card game or lost it! She plays the perfect snob and apparently had to apologize to her fellow actors after filming as she started truly becoming Lady Sylvia!

Lavinia Meredith: I don't care what's changed or not changed as long as our sons are spared what you all went through.
Lady Sylvia McCordle: Not all. You never fought, did you, William?
Sir William McCordle: I did my bit.
Louisa Stockbridge: Of course you did.
Lady Sylvia McCordle: Well, you made a lot of money but it's not quite the same as charging into the cannon's mouth, is it?

Maggie Smith as Constance, Countess of Trentham and her maid Mary (Kelly Macdonald)

Dame Maggie Smith is spot on as usual as the ultra snobby Aunt Constance, Countess of Trentham who is perennially short of cash and who thrives on gossip, put-downs and other people's hospitality.

Constance:   Mabel is so clever to pack light. Why should one wear a different frock each evening, we're not in a fashion parade.

Jeremy Northam as Ivor Novello in Gosford Park

Jeremy Northam sang and played the piano appearing as real life actor/singer/composer Ivor Novello. Novello wrote the famous song Keep the Homefires Burning which was very popular during WWI. Novello's real songs were used for Northam to sing (and for Maggie Smith to deride) although most of the gorgeous piano playing was done by Jeremy Northam's brother Christopher who is a concert pianist.

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

Too many other wonderful actors to do justice to them all in this short post. Emily Watson as the head maid Elsie, Clive Owen as the mysterious hunk of a valet who finally kisses little Mary "I've wanted to do that ever since I laid eyes on you!"  Woohoo!

Dame Helen Mirren and Dame Eileen Atkins as the two main ladies in the downstairs area who have untold tales in their pasts. Ryan Phillipe and Bob Balaban as the horrid Americans. Tom Hollander, Charles Dance and Michael Gambon as some of the men, and darn fine actors in this too. I think the jam scene with Tom Hollander and Sophie Thompson is one of my favourites. "Try the strawberry!"

Wrotham Park at the Darcy's Ruby Wedding Party "Oh, crikey!"

And I wouldn't be thorough without mentioning the house in this, Wrotham Park. It is not open to the public, so unless you attend a wedding there, you will never see the inside of the house which is so gorgeous and a character of its own in this film. I did recognize the stairway with all of the portraits lining the walls where Bridget Jones pulls Mark Darcy out into when they are at the Ruby Wedding Party. "Oh, crikey!" However it was apparently also used as a filming location for The Way We Live Now, Jeeves and Wooster, Daniel Deronda and Sense and Sensibility 2008 among many others. Now I may have to re-watch these to see if I can recognize any of the rooms!

Now I need a few of you to comment with your favourite scenes or characters or lines from Gosford Park. I know I missed a few!

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...

David Cassidy to Richard Armitage, My ever changing taste in men!

A Tiger Beat from 1972 which is probably where I got my poster of David Cassidy

After seeing way too much of Justin Beiber lately, I got thinking about my first love, David Cassidy.  I had a poster of him on my bedroom wall in about 1972 which I had to take down because I was too shy to undress in front of it. True story. I used to hide behind my bed and wiggle out of my clothes, convinced that his eyes were following me. I still watched a lot of The Partridge Family after this but that was the end of my David Cassidy phase, the only remnant of which is my old Partridge Family Album (LP of course).

Pa Ingalls (Michael Landon) was another early crush

Michael Landon was probably my next minor crush, as I watched Little House on the Prairie every week. I loved the books and I adored the television show. I still have my "autographed" photo of the Little House cast as I sent a fan letter to California in the 1970s and they sent me the photo in return. I think I liked Pa Ingalls more as a father figure, but he was rather cute. I wished I was Half-Pint for a good chunk of the 1970s.

As you wish, Westley (Cary Elwes)

The 1980s were a rather quiet time for my crushes as I was in University for most of the decade and too busy for such nonsense. (OK, not true, but not much money for movies, no cable, and VCRs were something you rented from the video store in a big silver case).
However, 1987 brought me not only my future husband, but also Westley (aka Cary Elwes) who are forever united in my mind as The Princess Bride was our first date movie. Ah, Westley. Sigh! As you wish...

Oh, Mr. Darcy! Colin Firth was my 1990s crush

1995 brought me my Mr. Darcy.  Pride and Prejudice came onto Canadian television the winter I was at home on maternity leave with my second son. I was smart enough to tape the entire five episodes on my VCR as I had seen a photo of Colin Firth in a cravat and Jennifer Ehle in a bonnet on the cover of our TV Times that first week and I was hooked. I knew nothing of the actors and I knew nothing of Jane Austen. I know! Gasp in horror if you will, but I had studied science for six years of University with not one literature course on my transcript. I had just started reading the Bronte sisters' works and gleefully started reading all six Austen novels that year. Emma Thompson's Sense and Sensibility came out later that year as did the film adaptation of Persuasion. Then in 1996, Gwyneth Paltrow's Emma hit the theatres. Wow, the 1990s were really good to me. Lots of lovely leading men in these films too. Hugh Grant, Alan Rickman, Ciaran Hinds and Jeremy Northam.

Hugh Grant as Edward Ferrars

Alan Rickman as Colonel Brandon

Ciaran Hinds as Captain Wentworth

Jeremy Northam as Mr. Knightley

Yes, the 90s were a very good decade. But this new millennium has brought lots of cuties as well. I have to say the big one for me has been Mr. Thornton, otherwise known as Richard Armitage in the 2004 adaptation of Elizabeth Gaskell's North & South. For any of you not lucky enough to have seen this one, I am not talking about the 80s Civil War miniseries, I am talking about the BBC miniseries about a man from the industrial North of England and a woman from the bucolic South of England and their story. You know how it goes. Boy sees girl. Boy likes girl. Girl dislikes boy. Boy pursues her anyway and is rebuffed. Girl realizes she is a fool and that she has greatly misjudged this sexy guy. There is a misunderstanding. They are separated. They are reunited. They kiss at a train station. Sigh!

 

Richard Armitage as Mr. Thornton.

Even my husband aka The Squire, admits that Richard Armitage is a handsome man. He never understood what I saw in Colin Firth however. I can't explain it to him. He has Michelle Pfeiffer, so it's all good!

Of course, I am rather fickle with my "crushes". I have had a few sighs over Jonny Lee Miller as Mr. Knightley in the new 2009 version of Emma.

Jonny Lee Miller. Angelina Jolie has good taste in men (except for Billy Bob!)

And I have a few blogging buddies who rather fancy Hugh Bonneville as the Earl of Grantham in Downton Abbey. I can see his appeal although my sister disagrees as she can only picture him as the doltish Mr. Rushworth in Mansfield Park 1999. Personally, I began to find him attractive in Daniel Deronda, even though he played a baddie, he was a sexy baddie. Actually, that film also has the lovely Hugh Dancy in the titular role. And it has Romola Garai wearing some of the most gorgeous Victorian dresses I've ever seen.

Daniel Deronda- two Hughs and some fabulous dresses

Sorry Richard, it looks like I may have to watch either Daniel Deronda this week, or finish watching my DVD of Downton Abbey for the second time. So many leading men, so little time.