MovieChat Forums > Three Ages (1923) Discussion > A Great 'Eureka' Moment....

A Great 'Eureka' Moment....

posted 12 years ago by gmattel
4 replies | jump to latest

For me, a great part of the beauty of Keaton's acting is that we see him thinking; what I call his "Eureka" or "Aha!" moment. One of the best in all his films is in "The Three Ages" (his absolute best is during the poker game in "Go West") when Keaton is contemplating how to win the chariot race, it's dazzling to watch "the wheels in motion" - to see that magnificent intellect light up his beautiful face. You just don't see that in many actors, if at all, and certainly not to the degree you do with Keaton.
I really don't know how anyone after watching Keaton on screen could have thought he wasn't smart! His in-laws must have been blind!

[–] cmashieldscapting 12 years ago

It took a genius to come up with all that stuff let alone portray it so brilliantly. As well as being gifted, Buster was modest in an environment where modesty is undervalued, and it worked to his disadvantage. He was robbed in so many ways.

[–] justejust 12 years ago

I agree that this was a great moment, but I'd disagree with "intellect lighting up his face". On the contrary, I think it's incredible that he doesn't change his face at all during that scene, but you can still get the idea perfectly. He remains motionless, and the only thing he does after the "idea visualisation" is a little movement to the left with his eyes, that's all. But that's all he needs to convey the message. Expression without actual expression - that's something not everyone is born with...

Sorry for the weird expressions I use, English is not my native tongue.

[–] gmattel 12 years ago

No weird expressions!! I was able to understand everything! It's true that Buster remains motionless, but I guess what I was saying is that you can see his intelligence, and when he has an idea, this light just comes up in his eyes! I find it dazzling, but your comments have certainly given me food for thought!
:)

The King Rules, but The Jester tells the Truth.

[–] slokes 11 years ago

He and Greta Garbo had that ability to say everything with their faces without twitching a muscle...