Britain's answer to Oskar Werner

Hmmmm----interesting comparison--especially since most Americans won't even know who you're referring to. Only film I ever saw Werner was in the classic sci-fi flick 451 Fahrenheit---he did have a pair of memorable, sad, expressive eyes, too. I would say he's more like Britain's answer to Don Cheadle, who's also good (or just flat-out magnificent) in just about everything he's been in,too.

since most Americans won't even know who you're referring to

Sad, but true.

-he did have a pair of memorable, sad, expressive eyes, too

That's part of what I was referring to -- a kind of classy introversion and melancholy. If you like him at all, I would heartily recommend you give Ship of Fools a try.

For some reason, I have a hard time comparing Ejiofor to any of my fellow Americans. Oh, there are plenty of charming Americans, to be sure, but for whatever reason I tend to think of them less often as introverts.

But Oskar Werner, *sigh* a sensitive romantic if ever there was one -- well, somehow the comparison with Ejiofor is so natural for me, even if the two belong to different cultures and generations.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=41yJeBiI7og

Saw Werner in the excellent espionage drama THE SPY WHO CAME IN FROM THE COLD recently---he had a significant role in that one, and it was cool to see him in another film. Caught part of SHIP OF FOOLS---wasn't able to catch the whole thing,though.