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What the HECK is wrong with Jack Lemmon in this film?

posted 13 years ago by Navaros
17 replies | jump to latest

I love Jack Lemmon in other roles, like GGR.

But in this film, he clearly has no idea what he is doing.

In this film, Lemmon comes across as a very bad amateur actor, who is hopped up on drugs.

Does anyone know what was wrong with Lemmon? Did he have dementia or something as he was being filmed?

If this film was the only film that I've ever seen Lemmon in, I'd be convinced that he was one of the worst actors of all-time.

[–] hippiehunny90 13 years ago

I COMPLETELY agree. For a while I was like "Who IS that guy, and who did he sleep with to get into this film?" Then I realized it was Lemmon and I almost didn't believe it. At first I thought it was just his American accent, but then you get Billy Crystal (though I couldn't tell if he was doing the typical New York or attempting Cockney at times) and Robin Williams who still maintain some of their American lilt, and are stupendous. I'm not sure what was going on with him or really why they felt it necessary to include him, even though he's usually awesome.

Goonies (and neomaxizoomdweebies) never say die!

[–] GrigoryGirl 13 years ago

I have to agree. I love Lemmon, but he was totally miscast in this movie. Branagh likes to "stunt" cast like this (Keanu Reeves in Much Ado About Nothing is a good example) so people will start talking about the casting rather than the actual film.

[–] balthazar_bee 13 years ago

Well, to be fair, if I cast Jack Lemmon in a part, I'd assume he'd be great -- or at least workable.

[–] criddic2 12 years ago

Well he clearly didn't have dementia, as he continued to act to much acclaim right up to the end of his life, which was a mere four years away. Who knows what happened? Maybe it was just an off couple of days for him. Maybe he felt intimidated working in a Shakespearean production. Perhaps if Walter Matthau had been cast alongside him, he would have been livelier. But it's such a small part that his performance doesn't hurt the film at all.

[–] delriosong 10 years ago

Who knows what happened? Maybe it was just an off couple of days for him.

I hate to admit it but when I watched his performance I had the feeling he spent the whole time worrying his dentures would fall out. I have no rational reason for this, it is just how it struck me. He seem so uncomfortable.

Ive lived upon the edge of chance for 20 years or more...
Del Rios Song

[–] Sweeze 12 years ago

I'm rewatching this yet again, and yes, Lemmon isn't the right actor for Marcellus. I think he just wasn't used to the Shakespearean rhythm. Most of the British actors have done Shakespeare on stage.

"The pen is mightier than the sword, and is considerably easier to write with."--Marty Feldman

[–] Noboru_Wataya 12 years ago

I enjoyed him quite a bit, sorry to say. Maybe I have bad taste.

[–] Valentino55 12 years ago

You don't have bad taste. I, too, don't think he's as bad in his role as everyone says he is. Granted, he's not on par with most of the rest of the cast, but I thought he did all right with the role he was given. In the commentary on the DVD, Branagh himself defends Lemmon's performance, saying that Lemmon got undeserved criticism and that Branagh felt he brought gravity to the role of this old, down-to-earth guard.

[–] ranran-001 12 years ago

The blu-ray edition of the film comes with a booklet that says Lemmon never did Shakespeare before Branagh's Hamlet.

[–] balthazar_bee 12 years ago

I can believe it.

I think the problem is that (a) he shows up right away, (b) it's a bit of a gleefully dubious sight -- Lemmon in antiquated soldier garb, complete with a tall hat, and (c) his first few lines are the worst, and first impressions count.

"Farewell honest soldier and who hath releeeeved you."

It's all too much. You've just embarked upon a four hour screen version of the greatest play ever written, and there's one of the greatest screen actors delivering lines that -- somehow -- go over like a lead balloon.

In fact, it's kind of funny. Even looking at the subject line of this thread made me giggle a bit.

Branagh got a lot of things right in his film; casting Lemmon as Marcellus was not one of them.

But he does get better. Not immune to the odd clunker ("Shall I strike at it with my partisan?") but better.

[–] nutsberryfarm 11 years ago

Where there's smoke, there's barbecue!

[–] tatilujanr 11 years ago

So did I.
___

Please, excuse my English.

[–] charlesdusk 10 years ago

Some actors aren't good at Shakespeare. Jason Robard who is considered one of the greatest actors was terrible in a Julius Caesar movie. On the other hand, Charlton Heston, was a great Shakespeare actor.

[–] 10 years ago

[deleted]

[–] Prismark10 9 years ago

Lemmon stands out as odd because he is performing with an American accent which Branagh would have encouraged him to do.

Its that man again!!

[–] Navaros 8 years ago

Lemmon doesn't have an accent and his so-called accent has nothing to do with why he stands out.

He stands out solely because his acting performance in this film is one of the worst of all-time.

[–] HaroldZoidberg 8 years ago

EVERYONE has an accent.

Unless you're completely mute, it's impossible not to have an accent.