A few nights ago, I couldn't sleep. I got up and put the television on. I ran the gamut of the 1,001 available channels and stumbled upon the movie "Glory." This Edward Zwick film from the late 1980s is a beautiful piece of filmaking. The score is haunting. It introduces some profound acting. The historical reference makes it only more poignant. I intended to watch it for a few minutes; I ended up watching the entire film. I had maybe three hours sleep that night, but I couldn't tear myself away.I was moved by Mathew Broderick, Denzel Washington and Cary Elwes' performances. But the core of this film--the glue that kept me watching--was Morgan Freeman. If I could define the feeling he conveys as an actor, I'd have to say "home." In the films I've seen him in, he is the definitive moral center. You're drawn to him as a story's narrator, its conscience, its heart. As an actor, he is natural and conscientious. You know him. He will always do the right thing without a lot of drama. He played God in some forgetable Jim Carrey film a few years ago. I don't remember the name of the film, but I do remember thinking he was a perfect embodiment of what God should be (easy going, benevolent, loving, forgiving, a mentor). Freeman makes it look easy.
If I think about my very favorite films, a good portion of them feature Morgan Freeman. In "The Shawshank Redemption," Freeman is the narrator (and moral center) of the story. In "Driving Miss Daisy," Freeman is a regular fellow who tolerates racial and religious lines, ultimately respecting simply humanity. This man, as an actor, conveys comfort and humility. I can't quite explain it but I know from the moment he appears onscreen that I trust him and I know that know he will do the right thing. And I am with him.
When I saw "Seven" a few years ago, I remember being annoyed by Brad Pitt's wooden performance....and transfixed by Freeman's naturalistic delivery. The contrast was stark. Freeman must reach deeply but whatever he does, he's conveying an everyman we all understand. That, my friends, is acting.
6 comments:
We love our native son! He does manage to make a few people angry with his comments about black history month, etc. though. I say, "Right ON!"
That's right, Womp! I completely forgot he's a Mississippian like you. Don't you know the nicest people are from Mississippi!
He is the best, absolutely. Great post.
I think Robert Redford even called him the best actor in the world - mentioned at a Sundance film festival a couple years back..
Cheers.
I have to disagree with the consensus here. I think he plays the same character in every role. But hey, that's just one man's opinion. :-)
I heard Morgan has a wonderful little blues club down in the Mississippi delta. A couple of nights in Memphis and then a little ride into Mississippi - top down and hair blowing of course. What do you think C&W? Womp will you be there?
Bluesy--I'd do a roadtrip in a convertible again with you in a heartbeat..especially if Miss Womp is a part of it. I still have my can of Vee-ener Sausages.
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