20/07/2011

RA-NDOM THOUGHTS - RICHARD GOES TO HOLLYWOOD

He seems to shout: "I've made it! Here I am, look at me. My dream has come true. I am in Hollywood on a red carpet" . To all those who thought it impossible. Who in an acting career wouldn't feel in heaven? He has risen through the ranks, working hard and so seriously for so many years. From being a worker in a Budapest Circus and a  smug man at party in This Year's Love to being one of the lead characters in one of Peter Jackson's  millionaire Tolkien movies.  However,  this is just one shallow interpretation of Richard Armitage's aggressive facial expression in this photo. One of the least probable, perhaps. Knowing his humbleness and matter-of-factness, I'm sure he is steady on his feet and deeply self-focused not to be distracted from his being Thorin  in Peter Jackson's The Hobbit. That's a great goal . No time to gloat over his walking on a red (and not only red, it seems) carpet in Hollywood. 
These days, in fact, during a "hiatus" from the  New Zealand set, he is taking part in the merchandising of Captain America - The First Avenger, due to release July 22 in the USA and in Italy (for once!)

He admitted that this is the aspect in his profession he likes the least,  but  in his pursuit of success and satisfaction,  he knows he has to give in to the showbiz, vanity fair conventions. I somehow figure out  he would rather be in his T-shirt and jeans somewhere else or in his skiing equipment on a slope that in that dark grey suit + formal shirt + tie but ... he is an actor, hence he must be very good at pretending. He brilliantly pretended his belonging to that world. And he was good yesterday evening, wasn't he?  I'm even sure he tried to have a good time being there, 'cause he seems just the kind of man who always tries to get the best from any situation and to appreciate life.
Favorite news of the day: Richard's eyes lit up while meeting one of his most talented and lovely fans: Heather. He was especially happy to meet her and when  she revealed him she had once sent him a very special  gift, the Havoc Tour T-shirt, he was even more pleased and surprised. He  told her he still has it. That's the Richard I like!

"Bearded or not bearded" seem to be a new favourite topic of discussion in the forums, sites, blogs of the RA fanworld . My opinion? Bearded or shaved, I find him extremely charming and  above all I appreciate his being a chameleon. He becomes someone else while acting, definitely and totally another being. He IS Heinz Kruger, a wicked fanatic Nazi in Captain America, for instance and it is very difficult to recognize in his cold stare the kind gentleman we usually meet in Richard's interviews. 
Recently, we've had a glimpse of his metamorphosis as Thorin Oakenshield. Impressive. "Where is Richard?" I wondered the first time I saw the new still of the leader of the dwarves. He had become Thorin, he WAS Thorin in that shot. No trace of Harry Jasper Kennedy, Lucas North, John Porter or Thornton. Neither of Richard himself, except for  those incredible blue eyes. 
And that is something. That is talent. Even his voice sounds  slightly different in this period. Deeper. Is it only my impression? That's the dwarf inhabiting the gorgeous giant. World's tallest dwarf.

In all this summer turmoil, surrounding  Richard Armitage's career, I watch rather aside. I mean, I am interested in the turn his career is taking but not ... enthusiastic. I can see how happy and satisfied he  looks so I'm happy for  lovely RA. What I miss is "him in something I like." But this is asking for perfection, maybe for too much, isn't it? I know many of his fans are in heaven since they are Tolkien's fans at the same time. Not my case, though. Perfection to me was his being in Spooks, my favourite actor in my favourite series. Or his being Thornton, my favourite actor in a costume drama based on one of my favourite novels. No more, I have to surrender to the fact that that will be impossible for a while. At least until 2012. After that, fingers crossed. 


Anyway, stop complaining. Plans, projects, pragmatism! In a couple of days, on  Friday,  I'll  go to the cinema with my husband. And this time it is not he going and seeing one of the movies I like, but just the opposite. I will be watching one of the action movies he likes: Captain America. OMG, I'll be wearing a face like: "Mind you, I'm here just for the bad guy. I hate superheroes and special effects". Can you imagine that?  I can't miss the occasion to see RA for the first time on an Italian screen in a crowded theatre. For few minutes,  but he will be there. "Il primo di tanti" = "The first of many". Does my husband know? Yep. He does. He also knows he is not the first of many. LOL ...I mean, he's the only one!


In less than a month we'll have another date , with John Porter,  one of Richard Armitage 's lead characters. We watched Strike Back season 1 last year and we had the chance to know and start loving this new character but now we have to get ready to a new farewell. John Porter will appear in Strike Back 2 Project Dawn but just to say goodbye to his admirers. For good, it seems.  "Lord , I don't do this very often but just in case this on- the- knees stuff actually works, please can I ask you just a little favour? Don't let him die a violent death. I couldn't bear that again".

Before leaving you,  I'll suggest a litlle poll /survey. Do you prefer Richard's Interview 1 or Interview 2 re Captain America? Why?
Interview 1





 
Interview 2 
 



9 comments:

Anonymous said...

Oh, you! Stop complaining, and be grateful for this new occasion to watch/listen to RA interviewed on the red carpet - not to mention the many wonderful pics <3
Let's hope your little "Geraldine moment" will work - as it did for her, lucky lady! But you mustn't worry that much: speaking of violent ends, nothing can beat the Ultimate Force one, and we've already seen it - if not digested it, d**n Ross Kemp!
xx K/V

bccmee said...

Definitely prefer the Heinz Kruger interview. Better questions and we can't hear the interviewer. :)

Maria Grazia said...

@K/V
Didn't I stop complaining and start planning? :O
Another Ultimate Force? No, please. Something more heroic, at least. My Geraldine moment... I love her... I'd love to be as witty as she is. Not as funny, though. FX!!!
@bccmee
I agree with you. I love that one more just because of the interviewer ... or the "no interviewer" :-)

Phylly3 said...

What bccmee said -- exactly! I like the thoughtful questions and that he had time to answer them properly. Plus, even though, I do like his beard, I have to say I enjoy his looks better in the second interview (but that's not really why I prefer it -- it's just a bonus!)

Phylly3 said...

P.S. I am thrilled about Heather's chance to meet and speak with him and can't wait to read more about that -- and see more pictures!!!

Anonymous said...

Number 2 because there is no awful bimbo interviewer and it's possible to hear the definition of the character he plays. I'd say its cerebral (2) vs. silly (1) myself .

But all that aside, I don't think I'll go see CA... its not my cup of tea. Shall wait till The Hobbit, no offence to Richard.

Anonymous said...

Maria, I was afraid Hollywood can change RA , and
spoil somehow the man/artist we love so much. But someday he would have to get there, being so talented. Now I believe he will have better opportunities to work with great directors and make good choices for his career and gain the world.
Besides, he has a good head to deal with all this.
Good roles will come, I'm sure. :)
Fabi

Anonymous said...

I like the second interview better, as said before, he gets to explain his character. I think he looks very handsome in the 1st interview but the interviewer is a bit annoying.

I join your Geri moment, I actually hope he doesn't die. Can't we have Porter rescued, sent home and... retired? He has a daughter to take care of and all by himself.

@mesmered oh come on, go watch it, you can leave after RA's scenes finish :P

OML :)

Maria Grazia said...

@phylly3 @onemorelurker @Fabi @mesmered
Thanks for your comments! I prefer Interview 2, as said. As for the beard, I think it is necessary to Richard's present work, indispensable in order to stick/add prosthetics. I'm sure he'll get rid of it as soon as he finishes with the Hobbit (ehm ... 2012?) However, though I prefer him in informal clothes and without a beard, I find him always really charming. Can't explain why. I liked him in Peter Jackson's third clip as Thorin in action, with all the prosthetics of the case. I also loved his more natural look in the interview (natural colour of hair and no make - up at all) Am I incurably biased? Yes, I am. :-)
Will he be spoiled by Hollywood's Vanity Fair? I bet he won't. He has got there in his maturity with a great deal of experience