In a July 14 post, Ang commented that "after hearing (six times) that only through a thorough investigation of the DVD extras did V learn that Viggo Mortensen chipped a tooth in the making of one of the three LOTR films," she figured it was ok to "let [her] guard down" and (implication is) admit to knowing similarly geeky things (for more details and the Dorotha reference, see the post itself!)
I'm glad that I was able to inspire Ang by informing her of Viggo Mortensen's dental work (up to now I was only aware of having annoyed her—which is fine, because annoying people was the purpose of mentioning it six times).
But I must point out that a "thorough investigation" was not needed... since every single person who appears in the extras on the Twin (er, Two) Towers seems to feel compelled to make a big friggin' deal about VM's friggin' chipped tooth (did you know he had it fixed in the middle of the night? by Peter Jackson's own dentist? while still wearing his costume including his sword? Aaak, stop, I can't take any more!!!).
Since I have, in fact, completed a "thorough investigation" of the DVD extras, I feel compelled to say that VM—and unfortunately, everyone else involved in the LOTR—are all just a bit too filled with admiration for VM. Yes, he made a great (possibly perfect) Aragorn, but he seems to have a similar personality in real life—and in real life, that laid-back earnestness tinged with understated machismo gets incredibly annoying (just look at the picture! Jesus H. Christ!)
Below is a photo of three non-Viggo actors from LOTR apparently behaving like regular people. Can you imagine how completely unbearable they would be if they went around behaving like Legolas, Gandalf and Theoden in real life? The mind boggles.
Orlando Bloom, Ian McKellan, and Bernard Hill are not Viggo Mortensen, and thank god for that
To be honest, if I never hear VM's voice again (outside of his role as A in LOTR, which of course I will view repeatedly for the rest of the decade), that will be just fine with me. Now, Bernard whatsit (Ok, Hill, I had to look it up), who plays Theoden—I don't think people paid him nearly enough homage.** Which is perhaps as it should be.... too much homage makes the skin crawl .
*All for the best, as my response got to be incredibly long...it seems that all my long-pent-up feelings about Viggo Mortensen have just come pouring out.... did I mention I'm supposed to be writing a paper?
**in fact, when you do a google image search for Bernard Hill, half the damn pictures are of... guess who. What, does he think he's the star or something?
1 comment:
All the Viggo love is baffling to me. He's not as great an actor as any of the older dudes, and he's not as hot as Orlando Bloom.
"But he's earnest!"
Well fuck you, Earnest. Not interested.
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