Wednesday, June 5, 2013

In Character: Noah Emmerich

Noah Emmerich is the perfect everyman. His career is full of characters that you know and grew up with: the loyal friend, the drinking buddy, the dedicated family man, the all around good guy. And while Emmerich has made a name for himself playing such men, he’s proved that he’s capable of far more. Humility, rage, deceit, all aspects of Emmerich’s craft that he can play effectively.

A few years ago, I was genuinely apathetic about the impending release of J.J. Abrams’ Super 8. Then I watched the trailer, and there he was, Noah Emmerich as a military Colonel. I figured his role would be small, but it didn’t matter, I was sold. I’m always sold when he’s on screen.

Five Essential Roles
Beautiful Girls (1996
Mo Morris
Ted Demme’s Beautiful Girls is an amusing ensemble that continually switches from comedy to drama. When it’s not about a bunch of neighborhood friends boozin’ and livin,’ it’s a cautionary tale for misguided men. Case in point: when Willie (Timothy Hutton) returns home for his high school reunion, he soon takes a liking to his next door neighbor… who happens to be 13. The girl (played perfectly by Natalie Portman) and Willie develop a rapport based on understanding and curious maturity. He likes her, but he likes her in a way that makes his best friend, Mo (Emmerich) weary.

Hutton and Emmerich share a great scene in which Mo, slightly drunk and confident, politely lashes out at Willie for even talking to the girl. Hazed by a night’s worth of drinking, Willie relents that in a few years time, age won’t matter, and maybe he and the girl can date. Mo acts as the voice of reason Willie so desperately needs. And the film is better off for it. It can be really hard for one specific actor to stand out in such a vast ensemble piece, but Demme gives Emmerich his scene to shine, and boy does he nail it.

The Truman Show (1998)
Marlon
As Truman Burbank’s best friend, Marlon has the tough task of being friend, confidant, and, most importantly, method actor. He’s always in character, and it’s his job to make sure the story flows business as usual. And while I love everything about Emmerich’s work in The Truman Show, his bravado performance really comes down to one scene. Sitting on the edge of an unfinished road, sipping beer, tears in his eyes, convincing Truman that there is no conspiracy, because if there was, he’d been in on it. And there’s no way Truman’s best friend has been hosting a lie for all these years, right? Cut to show runner Christof (Ed Harris) feeding Marlon the lines, word for word. Christof says it, and Marlon makes it real. I love dissecting the layers of that scene. This isn’t Noah Emmerich playing Marlon. It’s Noah Emmerich playing Louis Coltrane playing Marlon. What an expert manipulator.

Miracle (2004)
Craig Patrick
Famed hockey coach Herb Brooks (Kurt Russell) tells his U.S. Olympic team early on that he isn’t their friend. If they want a friend, they should confide in their assistant coach, Craig Patrick. And, in a sense, Craig is the audience’s gateway to the emotional side of Miracle. Brooks is a purposefully closed off character, yet Miracle is a Disney film (a very good Disney film) which relies on compassion to tell its story. Craig is such a facilitator, and Emmerich does subtle wonders with it.

When director Gavin O’Connor gave his friend Noah Emmerich the script for Miracle, Emmerich read it and noted that there was nothing for him to do. Craig Patrick was an underwritten part, and O’Connor let Emmerich develop it how he saw fit. This includes Emmerich improvising my favorite moment in the film, in which, after defeating the seemingly invincible Russian hockey team, Russell moves in to shake Emmerich’s hand. Instead, Emmerich dodges the hand and goes right in for the hug. A nice touch that says everything about both characters involved.

Pride and Glory (2008)
Franny Tierney, Jr.
Emmerich has been featured in every film Gavin O’Connor has made since Tumbleweeds (including the upcoming Jane Got a Gun); a collaboration that always produces fine results. Chief among them is Emmerich’s tortured performance as Franny in Pride and Glory.

Franny is a police captain woefully unaware of the corruption within his own division. Once he learns that his own brother-in-law is essentially the leader of a gang of crooked ass cops, Franny is stuck in a moral dilemma: rat, or take the dirty money. He’s forced to defend the thugs who work under him, while lashing out at his brother who is investigating them all. He cares for his cancer-stricken wife, while trying to not have his life fall out from under him. As Franny, Emmerich knows when to be assured and when to accept guilt. It’s a challenging role, one that, in my opinion, binds the film together. Nearly the best performance Emmerich has ever given.  

The Americans (2013)
Agent Stan Beeman
The Americans is a new hit show about Russian spies posing as Americans during the Cold War. Early in the pilot episode (which was directed by Gavin O’Connor), spies Elizabeth and Philip Jennings (Keri Russell and Matthew Rhys) meet their new neighbor, FBI Agent Stan Beeman. The second Beeman is cordially introduced to the Jennings family, he makes his occupation known, sending the clever spies into constant paranoia. But Beeman isn’t onto them, he’s simply the guy next door. Or is he? From Emmerich’s first scene, we’re never quite sure how much he knows, and what he’s planning to do. He could be two steps ahead, or he could just be some aimless desk worker.

Like the show as a whole, Beeman has a mysticism to him that we’re compelled to follow. As season one progressed, we quickly learned that Beeman is far from a perfect man, and discovering his flaws made for some of the season’s most memorable moments. I wouldn’t be surprised if an Emmy nomination is to soon follow. The Americans was recently picked up for a second season, which is great. I can’t wait to see what Emmerich does with this character.

The Best of the Best
Little Children (2006)
Larry Hedges
Larry Hedges is an angry guy. After being kicked off the police force for mistakenly shooting a kid, Larry has taken on the self-appointed role of neighborhood watchman. First task: drive out recently released sex offender, Ronnie McCorvey, from the neighborhood. To do this, Larry harasses Ronnie and his poor old mother to no end. Posting unflattering flyers of Ronnie all over town, spray painting his home and walkway, and even showing up late to drunkenly interrogate him. Larry is a man of such anxious desperation, he proves to be one of the most compelling aspects of a near perfect film.

When I see a character like Larry – a man who is so angry and vengeful concerning something that doesn’t directly affect him – I always wonder “Why?” Why is Larry as mad as he is? Why can’t he let Ronnie be? Make no mistake, I’m not justifying Ronnie’s misdeeds, but I’d just as soon leave him alone than torment him. But not Larry. What from his past makes him go after Ronnie with such vindictiveness? I suppose we’ll never know, but the fact that I’m still wondering certainly says something.

Other Notable Roles
In Super 8
Cop Land (1997)
Tumbleweeds (1999)
Love & Sex (2000)
Frequency (2000)
Julie Johnson (2001)
Beyond Borders (2003)
Cellular (2004)
White Collar (2009-2010)
Fair Game (2010)
The Waking Dead (2010)
Trust (2011)
Super 8 (2011)
Warrior (2011)
The Fitzgerald Family Christmas (2012)


32 comments:

  1. That dude rocks. My favorite performance of his is still Beautiful Girls where he's just this very mild-mannered family guy who is kind of a goof but a loving one. Yet, when Matt Dillon gets his ass kicked by a bunch of dudes because Dillon slept with Lauren Holly. He starts to get angry and I love that line he gives to that guy "you fuck with me... you fuck with you" or something like that.

    I also love him in Little Children. A very confused guy who is just lost.

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    1. You know, I actually hadn't seen Beautiful Girls before researching this post. Damn glad I watched it - really good little flick. And he was so great in it.

      Really glad you're a fan of his work.

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  2. It's sort of funny that you posted a piece on Emmerich today lol. I watched Little Children for the first time a few days ago and was just watching The Truman show earlier - funny coincidence.
    I definitely agree with his role in Little Children being the best thing I've seen from him thus far. His role gave me the creeps (in a good way). When he just drunkenly showed up at Ronnie's house with Patrick Wilson's character, I couldn't take my eyes off of him. But the scene that sticks out in my mind from that film the most is when Wilson's Brad chooses to stay with Kate Winslet's Sarah after the football game and leaves Larry at the bar waiting for him to show up. "He said he'll show up" he says, before Larry does something horrible. Just amazing.

    (by the way I don't think your Tilda Swinton piece is listed with the others in In Character)

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    1. That is a funny coincidence! So happy to hear you're a fan of that performance. It really stuns me. Oh yeah, that scene you're talking about is great. He's just waiting with his massive beer and two shots. What a lonely, lost, sad man.

      (Good call about Swinton! I think I have 'em all up there now. So many to keep track of. Ha.)

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  3. Hey, you got around to watching 'The Americans', what a great surprise, right? The level of acting is just superb, giving complex dynamics and motivations throughout. I have to say Keri Russell knocks it out of the park and outright floored me with her portrayal of mama KGB at times. Didn't think she had it in her. Matthew Rhys, who I had never heard of before, might even be better as her "husband", giving a lot of bits of character to his many covers. But yes, Emmerich owns his role, toeing the line between family man and hard-edged G-man. Some of the best scenes in the series are him being just one step behind Philip and Elizabeth. I've liked him ever since 'Miracle', so it's good seeing him get more notice in mainstream media. Furthermore, I love their music choices: "Tusk" had me hooked from the thrilling opening scene. Did you marathon you're way through the first season, or have you just gone through the first few? Good character actor, good post.

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    1. Yeah I marathoned season 1 over the past week. Loved it. I mean that first flashback scene, when Russell was sparring, I was like.... Oh, shit. FX, man, they really like to push it.

      Emmerich's standout episode was Safe House in my opinion. I wanted to talk about that episode specifically, but I'm always hesitant to reveal any kind of spoiler. I think that'll get him nominated for the Emmy.

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    2. At first when that certain scene happened I thought they were pushing for our sympathies for Elizabeth a tad much, especially for the pilot episode. Why would she spy for the government after something like that? Then I thought it unfortunately does sound like something the KGB would do to 'toughen up' their most loyal-to-a-fault female agents for their future 'field work'.

      Yes, I going to mention the "Hamburger scene" in that episode being the stand-out moment for Emmerich, but I didn't know if you had gotten that far. Really hope the man gets due recognition too.

      Thinking back not much is actually accomplished in terms of KGB vs. FBI or the cold war (well, we do know how that is going to end...), but the show sets-up such great character and relationship dynamics for the future that that's all pretty mute in comparison. Much like any good period drama i.e Mad Men, the first season must draw us into the world by way of engaging characters.
      "Nothing beats American Fast Food" indeed...

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    3. Oh Christ, that scene was amazing. I love when actors I admirer so much are given such a meaty role like that. He really did wonders with it.

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  4. Oh, I just knew Little Children was going to be on here. Also, that was him in The Truman Show? Damn, I didn't know that.

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    1. He's really versatile, isn't he? Two very different roles there, but two great ones.

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  5. Love The Americans, Super 8, and Frequency... All great

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    1. Hell yeah! Frequency nearly made the cut here.

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  6. I'm a fan of Noah Emmerich and was surprised that I haven't seen a good portion of your picks. My choice would be the Truman Show, where he does a great job playing a guy who's acted on the big stage for most of his life. I'm glad to see that it made your list. I really need to check out The Americans. I've heard lots of strong comments about that show.

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    1. The Americans really is great. Especially if you're a fan of that period of time. Everyone in it is spot on.

      He's perfect in The Truman Show. I love him in that.

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  7. Just watched Miracle again last weekend and was reminded how important subtlety in smaller roles can make a difference. He did not need a spotlight to shine, just a few honest moments.

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    1. Oh man, I couldn't agree more with you. And Emmerich is so good at nailing those moments.

      Thanks for stopping by and commenting!

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  8. You ever gonna do Tom Wilkinson?

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  9. He is so great! I only saw a handful of movies with him but there is something about him that is just so memorable - I guess it's the way he just effortlessly becomes his characters and always makes me feel for whomever he plays.

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    1. Glad you're a fan! I agree, there is a definite effortlessness to his acting. Every character he plays feels so real.

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  10. Interesting choice. I'm not his biggest fan, but he was very good in Little Children. I also liked his performances in Warrior and The Fitzgerald Family Christmas.

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    1. Oh really? I love the hell out of his work. But either way, glad you're a fan of his Little Children role! And he plays such a perfect asshole in Warrior.

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  11. Nice one, man. Loved him in The Truman Show and Miracle. Will have to check out Little Children soon.

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    1. Thanks dude. Definitely scope out Little Children when you get a chance. So so good.

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  12. I definitely need to check out Little Children -- it sounds like a fascinating character study. For some reason, I can't resist films about angry, slightly unbalanced people.

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    1. I can promise that you'd really appreciate it. Not everyone in the movie is angry, but everyone is most definitely unbalanced. It's remarkable.

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  13. When I first became addicted to movies, I saw this guy in Trust (thanks again ;) ), Super 8 and Warrior, all pretty close to each other. Thought he was in everything!

    He really is a great, diverse actor that isn't tied down to the one role like so many actors are starting to become.

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    1. Thank YOU for thanking me! I'm so glad I could inspire you to watch more movies!

      Really happy to hear that you're a fan of Emmerich's work. He's one of my absolute favorites.

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  14. I don't know much about him, except that he remains the best bad guy of all the bad guys from White Collar.
    That guy, he has such charisma, that I LOVED hating him !

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    1. I haven't seen White Collar, but I'm so glad to hear he's good in it. Might have to check that show out soon. Thanks for the reco!

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  15. This guy somehow always plays twist villain lol someone who doesn't look evil on the surface but he's getting in the way of the protagonist

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    1. This is actually really true. I didn't realize how he does turn somewhat villainous in a lot of his roles. Great call!

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