| By Maureen Ryan,
on 02-07-2007
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Favoured : 154 |
These men bring the drama to TV dramas
By Maureen Ryan
Tribune television critic
Published July 2, 2007
During this lull in the TV world, it's time to take a look at some of the best performances of the 2006-07 season. The best actors of the last year in dramas are, in my opinion, these gentlemen:
Powers Boothe, Gerald McRaney and Ian McShane, "Deadwood" (HBO): To have had one of these actors showing off his considerable talents in this classic western would have been a treat. To have all three was an embarrassment of riches.
Kyle Chandler, "Friday Night Lights" (NBC): In an interview, "FNL" creator Peter Berg said he was, at first, dubious about the idea of Chandler taking the role of Coach Eric Taylor.
"I was like, [the guy from] 'Early Edition'?" Berg recalled wondering. Nobody's wondering at the decision to cast Chandler now. The actor makes you understand why the players on Taylor's team and the people in his life would walk over broken glass for the charismatic coach.
Michael Chiklis, "The Shield" (FX): Vic Mackey, Chiklis' character on the blistering FX drama, isn't scariest when he's busting down doors or holding a gun on some lowlife suspect. He's scariest when he's quiet, yet his eyes reveal a murderous intensity that is quite simply scorching.
Michael Emerson, "Lost" (ABC): Ben Linus on "Lost" has openly admitted that he uses emotional manipulation to get what he wants -- yet I'm still mesmerized every time he does it. Thanks to Emerson's compelling, enigmatic performance, I know I'll never really understand Linus. Nor do I really want to. But Emerson offers proof each week on "Lost" that when it comes to playing a villain, less is often much more.
James Gandolfini, "The Sopranos" (HBO): Gandolfini's fascinating portrayal of the most complicated Mafia don ever may mean that the actor is seen as Tony Soprano for the rest of his career, though Gandolfini is so talented that he may just be able to disappear into other roles in other projects. But making us care about a man who was capable of such brutality was an extraordinary achievement, and it won't be forgotten soon.
Hugh Laurie, "House" (Fox): The doctor will see you now. But he's not happy about it. And he'll tell you that -- in the most sarcastic manner possible. No matter what Dr. Gregory House does, I'm fascinated by him. That's because the show's writers, and Laurie, refuse to make him a one-note crank and also refuse to "nice-ify" the brilliant doc. That's fine by me, as long as the show's moral dilemmas and philosophical arguments stay so sharp and compelling.
Michael C. Hall, "Dexter" (Showtime): Of course there's no reason to feel sympathy for a serial killer, right? Even if he only kills people whom he has proved are doing horrible things to their fellow humans? "Dexter" takes such questions and, with subtle wit and surprising storytelling twists, turns them inside and out. And none of it would work if Hall weren't able to pull off both Dexter Morgan's deadpan narration and his emotional upheaval with such astounding ease.
Eddie Izzard, "The Riches" (FX): Izzard, who's best known as a comedian, could have easily showboated in his role as Wayne Malloy, a grifter posing as a suburban lawyer. Yet Izzard, while making good use of his comic timing, also makes us see Malloy's bittersweet longing for an easier, simpler, more "acceptable" life.
Edward James Olmos, "Battlestar Galactica" (Sci Fi): As Adm. William Adama, Olmos provides the moral center of this sprawling, enthralling tale of human survival. Watchful, weary yet never losing sight of his goal -- the continued survival of humanity -- Adama gives gravitas to the series without ever weighing it down.
Michael K. Williams; also Maestro Harrell, Jermaine Crawford, Julito McCullum and Tristan Wilds, "The Wire" (HBO): As the laconic, brilliant master thief Omar Little, Williams was never less than fascinating, and as a quartet of boys facing grim lives on the streets, Harrell, Crawford, McCullum and Wilds were utterly real and simply heart-rending. Acting doesn't get better than this.
chicagotribune.com
Last update : 02-07-2007
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