by Cookie N Screen
Let’s just say this: James McAvoy is one of the most important actors of his generation and will continue as such for what hopefully will be a career of longevity. First coming to acclaim in hit television show Shameless, he was propelled to stardom through blockbuster roles such as Mr Tumnus in The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe and Wesley in Wanted. Now the new face of Charles Xavier in the phenomenal X-Men series, he reclaims the role again for the latest hijinks X-Men: Days of Future Past. Not only does he do superb stuff on the screen, but his work on the stage, such as his engaging role in Macbeth, makes him a visceral and talented actor. Oh, and he also does voice-work for loveable cartoon characters, recently popping up in Muppets Most Wanted, too.
But what makes McAvoy such an enthralling character actor is his intellectual insight into his roles, able to layer, convey and emote much more than the ordinary actor. Don’t believe me? Check out the essential films in McAvoy’s magnificent roster.
Let’s just say this: James McAvoy is one of the most important actors of his generation and will continue as such for what hopefully will be a career of longevity. First coming to acclaim in hit television show Shameless, he was propelled to stardom through blockbuster roles such as Mr Tumnus in The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe and Wesley in Wanted. Now the new face of Charles Xavier in the phenomenal X-Men series, he reclaims the role again for the latest hijinks X-Men: Days of Future Past. Not only does he do superb stuff on the screen, but his work on the stage, such as his engaging role in Macbeth, makes him a visceral and talented actor. Oh, and he also does voice-work for loveable cartoon characters, recently popping up in Muppets Most Wanted, too.
But what makes McAvoy such an enthralling character actor is his intellectual insight into his roles, able to layer, convey and emote much more than the ordinary actor. Don’t believe me? Check out the essential films in McAvoy’s magnificent roster.
The Last King of Scotland
It takes a lot of might to stand up against a brutal dictator and even more so when you had spent the entire time as a drinking companion. That’s the dilemma faced by McAvoy’s Dr. Nicolas Garrigan as he becomes an ally with oppressive leader Idi Amin. Yes, the whole film is a testament to Oscar-winning Forrest Whittaker's portrayal as the overgrown child and ruthless warrior Amin. But McAvoy’s intensity as Garrigan, though fictional, gave a lot of critics reason to cast a watchful eye on his incredible acting. Stellar, emotional and BAFTA-nominated, McAvoy brought an attentive and passionate portrayal of a man caught up in domestic warfare.
It takes a lot of might to stand up against a brutal dictator and even more so when you had spent the entire time as a drinking companion. That’s the dilemma faced by McAvoy’s Dr. Nicolas Garrigan as he becomes an ally with oppressive leader Idi Amin. Yes, the whole film is a testament to Oscar-winning Forrest Whittaker's portrayal as the overgrown child and ruthless warrior Amin. But McAvoy’s intensity as Garrigan, though fictional, gave a lot of critics reason to cast a watchful eye on his incredible acting. Stellar, emotional and BAFTA-nominated, McAvoy brought an attentive and passionate portrayal of a man caught up in domestic warfare.
Atonement
This is a film that is often written off as a romantic drama, but underneath it boils the strife of class, war and love torn apart. Directed deftly by Joe Wright, Atonement tells the story of a lie spiraling out of control when young Briony accuses her servant's son Robbie (on whom she has a crush) of something terrible. With bustling chemistry with Keira Knightly, McAvoy’s Robbie was a stunning character whose promising life is ripped away due to wrongful accusation. McAvoy conveys the torment of a soldier, the anguish of his incarceration and genuine agony of his role. It is truly a spectacular role.
This is a film that is often written off as a romantic drama, but underneath it boils the strife of class, war and love torn apart. Directed deftly by Joe Wright, Atonement tells the story of a lie spiraling out of control when young Briony accuses her servant's son Robbie (on whom she has a crush) of something terrible. With bustling chemistry with Keira Knightly, McAvoy’s Robbie was a stunning character whose promising life is ripped away due to wrongful accusation. McAvoy conveys the torment of a soldier, the anguish of his incarceration and genuine agony of his role. It is truly a spectacular role.
Starter for 10
Because one guilty pleasure has to slip in to these. Starter for 10 is the average British romantic comedy with a twist. Brian Jackson is an Essex boy who dreams of intelligence and making his late father proud when he enrols into Bristol University. More so than this, he wants to appear on University Challenge. Alongside Rebecca Hall and Alice Eve, his out of place role earns smiles, laughs and a shocking twist to the tale to an otherwise humdrum comic tale. McAvoy’s accent may be a little bit so-so, but Brian Jackson has an incredible harmony with the story and audience that you can’t help but warm to him.
Because one guilty pleasure has to slip in to these. Starter for 10 is the average British romantic comedy with a twist. Brian Jackson is an Essex boy who dreams of intelligence and making his late father proud when he enrols into Bristol University. More so than this, he wants to appear on University Challenge. Alongside Rebecca Hall and Alice Eve, his out of place role earns smiles, laughs and a shocking twist to the tale to an otherwise humdrum comic tale. McAvoy’s accent may be a little bit so-so, but Brian Jackson has an incredible harmony with the story and audience that you can’t help but warm to him.
Trance
Danny Boyle’s 2013 thriller is one that probably didn’t reach a large enough audience. That’s a massive shame because the loops and twists it takes you down are so smart that it is impossible not to feel compelled by it. Alongside Rosario Dawson and Vincent Cassell, McAvoy stars as Simon, an art dealer who gets caught up in an intricate heist only to lose his memory and the painting he helped steal. The drama is intense, switching between narratives and hallucinations as we are taken through Simon's mindscape. But McAvoy manages to level each crook of Simon with extraordinary faculty that plays on your ideas and is extremely well-acted.
Danny Boyle’s 2013 thriller is one that probably didn’t reach a large enough audience. That’s a massive shame because the loops and twists it takes you down are so smart that it is impossible not to feel compelled by it. Alongside Rosario Dawson and Vincent Cassell, McAvoy stars as Simon, an art dealer who gets caught up in an intricate heist only to lose his memory and the painting he helped steal. The drama is intense, switching between narratives and hallucinations as we are taken through Simon's mindscape. But McAvoy manages to level each crook of Simon with extraordinary faculty that plays on your ideas and is extremely well-acted.
Filth
It is best to start off this entry with a personal note. I could talk about McAvoy’s performance in Filth until the cows come home. I’d then tell them to “fuck off” and carry on talk about it. Sadly only scooping up awards for Best Actor from Empire and the Moet British Independent Spirits, his turn as bi-polar cop Bruce Robertson was nothing short of outstanding. The performance is so visceral, twisting through the dark corridors of a psyche on the edge of destruction. Though delving into a depravity that can rival Leonardo DiCarpio’s in The Wolf of Wall Street, here McAvoy is intense, compelling and his impeccable skill does not leave the film bereft of soul. Not only this, but he knows the character (created in a brilliant book by Irvine Welsh), asking you to understand how a broken archaic mentality can waver into debauchery and become this beast. It is one of the best performances of 2013, if not the best and McAvoy levels the insanity with this emotional anguish that is impossible to rival. It is, to put it bluntly, magnificent.
James McAvoy reprises his role as Charles Xavier in X-Men: Days of Future Past, released today.
It is best to start off this entry with a personal note. I could talk about McAvoy’s performance in Filth until the cows come home. I’d then tell them to “fuck off” and carry on talk about it. Sadly only scooping up awards for Best Actor from Empire and the Moet British Independent Spirits, his turn as bi-polar cop Bruce Robertson was nothing short of outstanding. The performance is so visceral, twisting through the dark corridors of a psyche on the edge of destruction. Though delving into a depravity that can rival Leonardo DiCarpio’s in The Wolf of Wall Street, here McAvoy is intense, compelling and his impeccable skill does not leave the film bereft of soul. Not only this, but he knows the character (created in a brilliant book by Irvine Welsh), asking you to understand how a broken archaic mentality can waver into debauchery and become this beast. It is one of the best performances of 2013, if not the best and McAvoy levels the insanity with this emotional anguish that is impossible to rival. It is, to put it bluntly, magnificent.
James McAvoy reprises his role as Charles Xavier in X-Men: Days of Future Past, released today.
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