by Cookie N Screen
Michael Sheen is not an actor. Actually, he more like a chameleon. He is able to shift and shape himself into these different role phenomenal but still enchants with his unfortunately charm. The Welsh actor has gifted us with some memorable roles from the good, the bad and the Prime Minister. Known for bringing real life characters to the screen and stage, he is also adept at fleshing out fictional and fantastical roles such as hopping around Wonderland as the White Rabbit or tearing down vampires in Underworld. Sheen also is an advocator for many chartities including Unicef and is active in helping bring youth to the stage. Which all means he is pretty darn epic.
This week, he fills cinema, yet again, with his striking, visceral and transforming performance in Far From The Madding Crowd. But what movies are his essentials?
Honourable Mention: Or maybe Un-honourable? Because despite the shiteness of the film, the franchise is huge. So, erm, yes, Twilight: A New Moon.
Michael Sheen is not an actor. Actually, he more like a chameleon. He is able to shift and shape himself into these different role phenomenal but still enchants with his unfortunately charm. The Welsh actor has gifted us with some memorable roles from the good, the bad and the Prime Minister. Known for bringing real life characters to the screen and stage, he is also adept at fleshing out fictional and fantastical roles such as hopping around Wonderland as the White Rabbit or tearing down vampires in Underworld. Sheen also is an advocator for many chartities including Unicef and is active in helping bring youth to the stage. Which all means he is pretty darn epic.
This week, he fills cinema, yet again, with his striking, visceral and transforming performance in Far From The Madding Crowd. But what movies are his essentials?
Honourable Mention: Or maybe Un-honourable? Because despite the shiteness of the film, the franchise is huge. So, erm, yes, Twilight: A New Moon.
Underworld
Long haired, brutal but with a flare of humanity, Michael Sheen brilliant turn as werewolf villain Lucian is a spell-binding performance. So the story about vampires and the aforementioned hairy beasts at war is one of those special kinds of guilty pleasure romps that on the surface seems naff but deep down, you cannot help but love it. Here, as Lucian, you can tell that Sheen is having the best of times - happily spitting out hammy and cheesy back-story alongside some epic battle lines. It’s clear that Sheen is having the best time not giving two shits about being in this over the top supernatural film. So much so that he reprised it for Underworld: Rise of the Lycans.
Midnight In Paris
I have a confession to make; I don’t like Woody Allen. Sure, I can recognise his talent and skill in certainly solid films such as Annie Hall, Manhatten and Antz, but there is something about his work that leaves me bereft of excitement, thrill and engagement. However, I simply adore Midnight in Paris. Perhaps because of the acting and unfolding story or perhaps because it takes a bite out of anyone unwilling to move with the times and is stuck lamenting “the good old days.” Sheen appears as the rude and full of himself “friend” Paul who sticks around like a bad odour, clinging to lead Gil’s fiancé in a very creepy manner. Paul is a “self-described pedantic and pseudo-intellectual. So you know exactly the kind of douche-canoe that Sheen incredibly plays here….
Frost/Nixon
Showcasing his talent in bringing pivotal characters to life on the big screen, one of his most famous roles certainly sparked acclaim, especially as it was a role he originated on the stage and burned brightly with critical marvel. Of course, saying “originated the role” would be somewhat amiss here as he is playing infamous broadcaster David Frost. Yet his skill at evolving into Frost and coercing the truth out of Frank Langella’s Richard Nixon is divine and fantastic! The story behind the Watergate scandal and attempting to remove the truth from Nixon’s lips is a phenomenal film to watch, a cat and mouse game of information, lies and secrets. Their chemistry and unravelling conversation is captivating.
The Damned United
Directed by Oscar Winner Tom Hooper, this is another Sheen led film based on a real life character, Brian Clough. True that the film is based on a book that played thick and fast with the facts as it was adapted from a largely fictional book. That being said, Sheen’s performance here is nothing short but remarkable. For non-football fans who may never have heard of Brian Clough, he was the manager of Leeds United and unfortunately wasn’t as successful as he liked. The ferociousness in which Sheen plays Clough makes this an unforgettable film. The relationship between Hooper, screenwriter Peter Morgan and Sheen makes the softer and emotional side of football come screaming out onto pitch like some unwanted streaker. It’s poignant, harsh and such an encompassed role for Sheen that it’s surprising he didn’t walk away with any accolades.
The Deal/The Queen/The Special Relationship
Possibly Sheen’s most famous incarnation is Britain’s much loathed Prime Minister Tony Blair and the actor has portrayed him three times on the big screen in different levels of leadership and fame. Throughout the leadership contest with Gordon Brown (played by David Morrisey who’d later become the Mayor of an American town and lose an eye) in The Deal to his pivotal moments with the titular royal in The Queen right through to his dealings with America and George Bush in The Special Relationship that made him one of the most hated British Prime Ministers. Sheen’s performance initially felt like a parody but he quickly enthused the character with subtleties, emotions and fierce intelligence.
What Do You Think?
Are these the best Michael Sheen movies?
Or does he have better?
Let us know in the comments below!
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