Herewithstupid

There is some masterful character acting by Ryan Gosling in PHM whenever he cries. And I'm not talking about the fact that he cries, at all. I'm talking about how he cries around different characters.

That scene in the conference room when Stratt springs the surprise on him? And he starts crying, blank faced and closed off, and slowly reaches up a hand? Brushes the tears, glances at them briefly, with this transient look of surprise and frustration?

Like he didn't even feel the tears at first, like his body is betraying him, like he doesn't have time for this, like the last thing he wants is to cry in this situation ... Yet, no matter how many times he wipes them, he can't get rid of them. He stands up and backs away. He's panicking. Nothing about this is safe.

(He does the same thing at the space funeral, btw. He's scared. He's not safe. He's not ready.)

Compare this now to how he cries in front of Rocky. He doesn't try to hide it. "Grace go home!" He turns and there are tears streaming down his face. He doesn't try and leave. He doesn't hide or try and wipe them. He gets close to Rocky. He sobs. He lets it all out.

Compare again to when Rocky finally wakes up. He throws himself around the xenonite ball. A single tear falls down his cheek. His face is open, expressive. He doesn't wipe the tear. He lets it fall. He's so relieved and happy.

This is such subtly good character acting that I didn't notice it until the third watch because those scenes are so emotional in general, but wow did I notice it this time. I'm so grateful they kept Grace's character intact in the movie by letting him cry, and that Gosling brought such nuance to the execution.

I'm no stranger to fixations. I mean, I have this Tumblr account to prove it. But it's been a while since I had something to be fixated with that really capture my heart, soul and mind, and how much I could relate to Ryland Grace. Because, let's just say, I'm not that brave either.

What do you mean Rocky made him a Xenonite dildo? What do you MEAN simon's a virgin? HUH? What is Carl doing!? Ah yes, eva DEFINITELY keeps a strap in her desk at all times. For emergancys-> the emergancy is bratting grace I guess?? WHAT DO YOU MEAN GRACE IS ADRIANS GOOD BOY?

I love when fandoms are like "Ah yes and then *insert hilarious nonsense* and then everyone came simultaneously! Mwahahaha"

The Eridian Governments: wtf WTF wtF???

The Eridian Scientists: *celebrating like they've won the intersteller lottery*

THREE MONTHS LATER