I am sure you’ve probably all seen this by now, but here is another online interview promoting the Hobbit DVD release, this one courtesy of Christa Ktorides at DIY.
(What an apt place for our Thinking Woman’s Greek God-like DIY Geek to appear, don’t you think?)
Now, some have interpreted Richard’s comments about being the slightly dour one who doesn’t get a punch line to mean he doesn’t understand the punch line–as in Richard Armitage doesn’t get the joke. That he is being the typically diffident, self-effacing gent we all know and love, the one who “can’t do impressions” and is ”not a bad singer.” (To which I say, “Poppycock!”)
My interpretation is that RA doesn’t usually play characters who get to crack jokes. He’s often the brooding, angsty, conflicted hero or anti-hero types, and, let’s face it, they typically don’t get a lot of funny lines. They aren’t the proverbial life of the party.
And yet there were moments of levity, times in Robin Hood, for example, when I thought he was absolutely hysterical in his own way. Look at some of his facial expressions and body language when reacting to the Treacherous Troll’s antics. RA’s no “slip on the banana peel” slapstick kind of actor. He’s not fated to do stand-up comedy, I am certain. But he’s definitely got a sense of humor and of mischief. “Love in an Elevator” and “Master and Servant,” indeed!
One of my favorite RH S3 moments: Guy realizing Vasey is still alive–followed by a little ”hi there!” wave and singularly insincere smile.
How about some of the moments he shared with Ewan Bremner in Strike Back? Definitely funny.
In VoD he’s more or less the charming, cheeky straight man to Dawn, but it’s certainly proof he can handle lighter stuff just fine, too. He can *cough* charm the pants right off you.
We’ve got two more installments of TH trilogy, which promise to be much darker than the first film. More conflict, More angst and brooding. And you do it all so beautifully, so compellingly.
And yet–maybe, dear Richard, you do need a break of sorts.
Something, as you have mentioned, without all the action and violence, with less of a dark edge (as good as you are at all the angst, brooding and “simmering dignity”). Something well-written and witty–that goes without saying–that combines comedy and drama, and a talented co-star with whom you have great chemistry. Just for a change of pace and a break from all the sturm und drang. Surely that would be good for your own mental well-being, yes?
And it might help your fan base out, too. Our poor besotted hearts can only take so much . . . *sniff* Show of hands of those who want to re-write the ending of The Hobbit? I know, I know–but a girl can dream.
Anyway, Mother Nature is indeed hammering away at us out there, although it’s let up enough for the satellite signal to return at least momentarily.
