Michael Sheen appeared on the Graham Norton show a week or so ago now. I must first say that I love Graham Norton and have been a fan of his for such a long time now, he asks questions that other talk show hosts could not get away with and getting them to do random things. Any way Michael Sheen was a guest and even done an impression of graham. They talked about his recent appearance in New Moon as Aro and the impact that this could have on his career, this lead me to think about Michael Sheen . . .
He has been Tony Blair but over shadowed by Helen Mirren as the queen. He has been David Frost but again over shadowed by Frank Langella as president Richard Nixon. He eventually took centre stage as the legendary Brian Clough (in The Damned United) and was phenomenal but will this role bring him some awards glory? At least nominations? Well I for one certainly hope so, the Baftas have to be his biggest hope. I always felt he has not received enough credit for his work in the queen or Frost/Nixon even though the leads performances would not have been the same without him as such a fantastic supporting actor, if you can call him that in Frost/Nixon.
He has impressed me in everything I have seen him in and was definitely the best thing about new moon even if it was more like a cameo. When speaking about joining the Twilight Saga, Michael admitted that the whole fandom of it had not really effected him in the sense of people bothering him in the street with just one incident occurring (so far). I don’t really think it will have too much impact on his career and possibly will just make him more well-known . . . which hopefully would make people watch his previous film work and get to see how fantastic he really is.
Whilst on Graham Norton he seemed so down to earth and like nothing bothered him, although I have to admit that I did not realise he was Welsh?!? Maybe just not paying attention on my behalf or just that I had never seen him in a more relaxed interview, sitting alongside Dame Shirley Bassey.
One of his up and coming films will see him become Tony Blair again focusing on “The Special Relationship” (2011) with Bill Clinton. Which yes I am very much looking forward to. I like Tony Blair and Bill Clinton, although I am finding it hard to imagine Dennis Quaid as Clinton. He is also in Tim Burton’s “Alice in Wonderland” next year as the white rabbit.
Before entering the world of film, Michael spent a decade on the London stage, whilst having small roles in films. His first major film role had to be in Underworld (2003) opposite Kate Beckinsdale, in which he played a Werewolf, must not be many actors who have had portrayed a werewolf and a vampire. Kate Beckinsdale was a long time girlfriend of Sheen, they had a daughter together in 1999. They are no longer together.
I have to admit that each time I see Michael in a film I become more and more impressed with his acting abilities, I really hope this continues when I see his new films but also catching up on some of the older films which I have missed. My favorite role so far has to be in The Damned United as Brian Clough, he really brough ol’ big head back to life with such confidence and arrogance Cloughie had himself, which in my opinion really shows how talented Michael is to be able to bring him back to life.
How do you feel about Michael Sheen?
Do you think he is underrated?
Which is your favorite performance of his so far?
