Serkis as Brady

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Andy Serkis is obviously a gifted actor, but I've always had an attitude about him because of his gooey Gollum emoting, even though the blame for this (90% anyway) is almost certainly Peter Jackson's, and because of the generally unbridled, over-cranked Jackson association that follows him because of his Gollum and King Kong performances. But all of that is out the window in the wake of Serkis's performance as an incarcerated, cold-blooded murderer in Tom Hooper's Longford, which debuts on Saturday, 2.17, on HBO.

Serkis totally nails it as Ian Brady, a notorious real-life killer known for his alliance with the despised Myra Hindley (Samantha Morton) in England. He uses the same kind of measured, ice-cold malevolence that made Anthony Hopkins and Brian Cox's performances as Hannibal Lecter so historic. The deep, unfiltered- cigarette voice Serkis uses, the working-class accent, the cadence in his delivery -- dead perfect. Longford is somewhere between decent and so-so, but well worth catching for Serkis alone.

The Longford script was written, by the way, by Peter Morgan (The Queen, Frost/Nixon, The Last King of Scotland, The Other Boleyn Girl). What a streak.

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Posted by Jeffrey Wells on February 11, 2007 at 12:03 PM

comment #1

Craig Kennedy says ...

Even though he couches it in yet another punch to the balls of Peter Jackson, Jeff is to be commended for appreciating Serkis's performance in Longford on it's own terms. Hopefully those who think Wells is negative 100% of the time will notice.

Posted by Craig Kennedy at February 11, 2007 1:45 PM

comment #2

Ju-osh says ...

If you're ever going to permanently kill 'old media' , you're going to have to watch the odd rhetoric and hyperbole that tends to seep into your work.
In this blurb, you claim that "90%" of Serkis' work as Gollum is Jackson's fault -- an inexplicably decided upon ratio that sounds as pulled from thin air as it actually is. You also further back up your scientific measuring of "blame" with the phrase "almost certainly" -- you do understand that that also means 'possibly not', don't you? If so, then why do you try and write this piece with the judgemental authority that you do?
When you do get to interview Serkis, please share with him your thoughts. I'd be interested to hear his response. I don't think that a shared love of ducktails and pompadours will be enough to quell his disgust.

Posted by Ju-osh at February 11, 2007 1:54 PM

comment #3

corey3rd says ...

I liked him as Martin Hannent, the doomed genius record producer in 24 Hour Party People.

Posted by corey3rd at February 11, 2007 2:12 PM

comment #4

Hallick says ...

People who look at movies beyond the blockbusters ALREADY knew Andy Serkis was the shit: from the goofball choreographer in Topsy Turvy to the out of work grouch in Among Giants to the aforementioned pisser of a genius in 24 Party People. He isn't just really good, he's a damned chameleon.

Posted by Hallick at February 11, 2007 2:38 PM

comment #5