MovieChat Forums > Jonathan Rhys Meyers Discussion > Best JRM character...

Best JRM character...

posted 8 years ago by happilybaker
9 replies | jump to latest

I know Jonathan Rhys Meyers has been around forever, and I was aware of who he was, but recently I binge watched the Tudors and was blown away with his skill! Since then, I've been watching lots of his older stuff and I think he's amazing. I cannot believe how large a presence he has on screen, and given his lack of formal training, I am amazed by his astute and instinctual talent that holds up against some of Hollywood's best.

I'm curious to hear what performances of his, are everyone's favorites. If you are a relatively new fan of JRM, check out his performances in the following (my favs):

The Tudors - Given that he didn't rely on camera angles, costuming, or other digital trickery to make himself the visual image of what we usually think of what Henry viii looked like, he had to rely on his strength of presence. And my goodness did he have presence! Fantastic performance, absolutely riveting.

The Lion in Winter - A film version of the play, staring Glenn Close and Patrick Stewart as Henry and Eleanor. JRM plays King Louis, and he is steals the screen every moment he is on stage. Unbelievable that he was able to upstage the likes of Patrick Stewart, but it's true. I could not take my eyes off of him, and not just because he is attractive, but because his performance demanded my attention. He's probably only in about 25 minutes of the entire movie, but every expression, hand gesture, and mannerism is perfection.

Mission Impossible III - His role is not huge, but he has a scene with Tom Cruise in which he speaks Italian on the streets outside of the Vatican and it is fantastic. He's an absolute chameleon, able to slip into any role. This movie was a good fit for him.

August Rush - He can sing me to sleep, or talk to me in his native Irish anytime. Enough said. Great performance.

6 souls - dumb movies, great performance. He does an incredible flawless American accent. Several, in fact.

The Children of Huang Shi - Great performance and Great Cast. Maybe his best movie

There, those are my picks. What are yours?

[–] MissSealy123 8 years ago

I loved 6 souls. It's one of my favorite movies.I loved him in Augusta Rush. Loved him in Children of Huang Shi. Loved him in MI3. I loved him as Elvis and I'll Sleep When I'm Dead.

I loved him in From Paris with Love. I loved him in the Tudors. Loved him in the Roots remake, but he was too good playing the redneck. I've loved him in everything except A Grand Affair and Match Point. In both he plays a narcissist too well.

For Roots, where he played a narcissist and an abuser, I could see the performance as what it was even though he said ni**er too well, but in the other two movies they felt more like real life, or at least contemporary life. So it was harder to see his role as a performance rather than a real person. I don't care for either of those roles, but he's always good.

[–] happilybaker 8 years ago

Haven't watched Roots yet, though I loved the original. I'll take your recommendation and check it out this weekend. JRM was fantastic in 6 souls!

[–] Kozykatz-645-504093 8 years ago

Oh my ! I've been a fan for about 6 years now and I own or have seen everything Jonny has ever acted in. Except for the infamous Knorr soup commercial when he was 16. I love him in Velvet Goldmine, most recently London town where is perfection as Joe Strummer (The Clash) He does all guitar playing and singing with no lip syncing, The Tudors, TheMaker he did when he was 18, A little seen film he did in 2003 called The Emperor's Wife recently renamed The secret Wing, The, August Rush . Oh heck I love something about all of his characters. He's one of the great actors around now and he almost always doesn't get the recognition he deserves. First time I saw him was on the Tudors in 2010 and I was blown away.

Be nice to each other, you may be speaking with an angel.

[–] happilybaker 7 years ago

Just watched B Monkey - loved it! He was fantastic.

And earlier, forgot to mention Velvet Goldmine. Love, love, love. He is so beautiful in it, it's hard to look past it!

Wonder what his favorite performance is...

[–] zachkleinmusic 7 years ago

I did really like Match Point. He fit the character so well I think. Even woodey allen said that film was hella easy to make.

[–] sharronrouse 7 years ago

I've been a fan for a few years now & have seen & own almost all of Jonny's movies. No-one has mentioned Dracula. I thought it was well done but he really needed more time to flesh the character out. I believe that if he had a second season it would have happened. For me, there is no way to choose a particular role as my favorite. Elvis blew me away. I'm a huge Elvis fan & his was the first performance I ever liked. Very well done. Love him as Brian Slade in Velvet Goldmine. You'd never know that he didn't have a clue about the time period. 6 Souls, tortured person. Great performance. The Tudors may be among his best. Such big shoes to fill but he made it his own. Match Point, another flawed character well played. Bend It Like Beckham, sweet Joe. Absolutely love London Town. I'm so glad they let him do the singing & guitar playing there. Of course the accent too. As I sit here I realize that I've not said anything about so many movies. Oh my, there's something I love about each & every performance. He makes me forget that he's acting. He becomes the character & I love that about him. Soon the new episodes of Vikings will start, Nov. 30. That should be great. Everyday I truly enjoy being a Jonny fan. He's a brilliant actor who never gets the recognition he deserves.

[–] Kozykatz-645-504093 7 years ago

Well said sharronrouse

Be nice to each other, you may be speaking with an angel.

[–] happilybaker 7 years ago

Absolutely agree!

Gotta wonder, what role was he most proud of...what was his favorite.