James Nesbitt

[andy-hughes]

As the BBC trumpets about the re-tread of its Cold Feet series, does anyone agree with me that James Nesbitt is a titanically lousy actor with the range of a paper clip?

[leg1ndyoll]

Unless you're a character actor, why does an accent preclude someone from being a good actor?
I site, Michael Caine and Sean Connery, no accent skills, but beloved and good actors.

[andy-hughes]

leg1ndyoll - //Unless you're a character actor, why does an accent preclude someone from being a good actor?
I site, Michael Caine and Sean Connery, no accent skills, but beloved and good actors. //

As I have already explained, an actor who is worthy of the name is able to assume a role.

That includes appearance, voice, accent, mannerisms, movement - the entire package.

Alan Cumming appears in The Good Wife playing an American political fixer.

I know that Alan Cumming is as Scottish as shortbread, but for the duration of the series, I never even think about it, because his American accent, together with his appearance, body language, and entire demeanour says that he is an American political fixer.

He is entirely believable - that is what acting is about.

It's not enough to say that an actor 'can't do accents' - that doesn't cut it, especially if he is unable to appear to be anything but (insert name of dud actor here) pretending - and failing - to play a part.

So no, Caine and Connery may be 'loved' but they are not good actors.

[pixie374]

I like James Nesbitt. Love his accent and I did like Cold Feet when it was on. I like Hugh Laurie most, the difference between his Prince Regent in Blackadder and as House, is brilliant.

[andy-hughes]

I never watched Cold Feet - mainly because I avoid anything with the actors I have listed - I am never going to be able to enjoy anything they are in - with the honourable exception of Harry Brown, in which Michael Caine was excellent.

That's only because the role was a pensioner from London - so no acting was actually required - unlike the requirement from Ben Drew to subsume is musician persona, and thoroughly nice guy (we have a mutual friend) - into a horrible hateful gangster psycho - which he did superbly well.

[ichkeria]

I am not a massive fan of Connery or Caine but it's a bit rich to say they aren't good actors.
As I said before, just because you always "sound the same" or appear at ease in a familiar role, does not mean you are a bad actor. It might mean you are limited in what you can do (or it might not) but it still requires a talent
Bad acting to me is woodenness, or an appearance that you are reading the lines. I see that occasionally, but I tell myself that it's probably a very subtle device :-)

[lankeela]

James Nesbitt Iooks and sounds the same in adverts and interviews too. He's aIways James Nesbitt!

[weecalf]

The guy that played Barney Rubble was a one trick pony

[Cloverjo]

I think Stephen Fry deserves a mention here. I am a big fan of his as host of QI, a sketch comedian in A Bitof Fry and Laurie and in Blackadder, but in serious roles he always seems to be Stephen Fry.

[mazie]

I thought James Nesbiit was great in Jekyll and Michael Caine Brilliant in Little Voice

[melv16]

You can add Hugh Grant as well. He's also near the top of my slap list :-)

[PankySmooch]

Each to their own, I'm sure James Nesbitt has done better in life than you having the acting range of a paper clip?

[Quizmonster]

Andy, I'm sure you'll like the following quote, generally credited to Dorothy Parker, in reference to Katherine Hepburn...
“Come,” she said, “let’s all go to see Miss Hepburn and hear her run the gamut of emotions from A to B!”
Clearly, some deemed the actress to be a "paper-clip" of the 1930s!

[andy-hughes]

Pankysmooch - //Each to their own, I'm sure James Nesbitt has done better in life than you having the acting range of a paper clip? //

That's as may be - but the debate is about his acting skills, not my progress in life.

What exactly is your point?

[andy-hughes]

Quizmonster - I do indeed recall the wonderful Ms Parker's less than flattering assessment of Ms Hepburn's acting abilities.

Another of her quotes, which chimes with me as a magazine writer, is her response when asked if she liked writing. "No," she replied. "But I like having written."

That is something I think of every time I finish a piece of writing - the actual writing is hard work, but the pleasure in completion makes it worthwhile.

[Quizmonster]

Been there, done that myself, Andy!