#thewlis

Do you think that the amoeba ever dreamed that it would evolve into the frog? Of course it didn't. And when that first frog shimmied out of the water and employed its vocal chords in order to attract a mate or to retard a predator, do you think that that frog ever imagined that that incipient croak would evolve into all the languages of the world, into all the literature of the world? Of course it fucking didn't. And just as that froggy could never possibly have conceived of Shakespeare, so we can never possibly imagine our destiny.

- David Thewlis

One of the most criminally under-rated character actors in modern times. Although he will forever be known as the warm and fatherly Remus Lupin from the Harry Potter film series.  Thewlis exquisitely portrayed Lupin's genial and charismatic personality and made his bond with Harry seem genuine. He’s scholarly, he’s kind, he’s encouraging. And, at times when Harry disappoints him, he’s angry. Lupin is a very dynamic role, and Thewlis plays it pitch perfect. There’s this kind sadness to everything Thewlis does as Lupin. I think Lupin is a role that most actors could probably handle sufficiently, but I think it’s a role that very few actors could have handled as deftly as Thewlis did. 

But he has done much meatier character roles in other notable films in which he has simply been quietly mesmerising.

Take Thewlis's role as Johnny in Naked which was one of his career-defining moments. It’s where he got to show off his immense acting chops. In the film, he played a complex intellectual and conspiracy theorist who lived day by day. He did as he pleased, no matter who he hurt, including his ex-girlfriend. 

He waxed existentialism throughout the film while wreaking mayhem. The film, along with Thewlis' nuanced performance, received high acclaim. Thewlis later won Best Actor at the Cannes Film Festival.

Contrast that with Varga, in Fargo, whhich has been one of Thewlis's most horrid and malevolent characters he has played in his career. He did an excellent job of evoking Varga's inherent creepiness and sliminess through his actions and character quirks. Apart from his rotting teeth, Varga disgusted others with his questionable methods, including urinating in someone's coffee mug and forcing them to drink it. Varga's manipulative nature and criminal mind made him a force to be reckoned with in the ongoing series. 

There are two kinds of versatility – more commonly called range – that actors tend to strive for. One is range within a single performance, and the other being range from role to role. Thewlis has that range which he performs with ease with an acting career that has spanned over 30 years, with a litany of characters under his belt, from protagonists, antagonists, historical figures, and supernatural beings. I could watch him read a telephone directory any night of the week.

I’ve never read the book so i didn’t know what to expect & ngl, i was confused as anything,,, but was also so captivated by every scene.

i googled an explanation of the movie after & i’m definitely gonna go back and watch it a second time now i understand it!!

i suppose it’s like ‘Sixth Sense’; you have to watch it a second time once you know the truth.

i’m gonna order the book too, or see if it’s in my local library but idk if they’re open yet oops,,,