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Visconti's the Leopard vs, The Comfort of Strangers

posted 14 years ago by onepotato2
5 replies | jump to latest

I was just thinking that Robert (Walken) is one possible place you'd expect at least a few descendants of Don Fabrizio (Burt Lancaster) in The Leopard to end up. Fabrizio would regale his children about the lost magnificence of the defunct upper class, with its strict, outdated gender codes. His haughtiness and quiet contempt for the lower classes would flower into Robert's excesses: Idle, psychotic, and pining for the good old days of his macho, proud dad.

The Leopard
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0057091/

[–] BelleDameSansMerci 14 years ago

Do you really see Don Fabrizio dyeing his mustache with a mascara applicator? ;)

What I am saying is, yes, I can see where you're coming from; only, I think Walken's character is actually a psychopath more than anything. In that sense I think he would have been as out of place in Don Fabrizio's family as in most families. But I do see what you mean.

[–] onepotato2 14 years ago

Well... maybe two generations away from Don Fabrizio. His son would dye his mustache (etc.), and grandson Robert would be like a low-quality clone who couldn't suss out things for himself and would end up inscribing/codifiying social mores goofily.

You know, like in England ...the descendants of Lords from the early/mid 20th century are considered by Britons to be mostly lunatics and eccentrics / pretty much ruined by inherited wealth. They exist in a degraded (but monied) state where they never have to budge, find meaning, or revise psychotic behavior.

[–] BelleDameSansMerci 14 years ago

Well... maybe two generations away from Don Fabrizio. His son would dye his mustache (etc.), and grandson Robert would be like a low-quality clone who couldn't suss out things for himself and would end up inscribing/codifiying social mores goofily.

This I actually do see.
It's a pretty good analysis.

I wonder how did Walken feel about this role and where did he draw his inspiration. I am sure there must be an interview about it somewhere, but I haven't read it yet.

[–] onepotato2 14 years ago

I think Leonard Maltin described Walken as "deploying an all-purpose Bavarian accent" ha ha ha.

In the book Robert is much-more oily and gross. He wears his shirt open to show off a hairy chest and wears a few gold necklaces. (!!!)
It would have made Robert a bit obvious.

[–] BelleDameSansMerci 14 years ago

;)

Maltin has wit, but I don't think Walken's accent was anywhere near "Bavaria", even by Hollywood standards. I liked it, it wasn't too conspicuous to be annoying or anything (think Nolte's horrible faux-Italian accent in "Lorenzo's Oil"!)

I must admit I didn't even know there was a book.
My shame! I'll try and find it.

But I totally agree that it would have made Robert WAY too obvious!
I am glad they didn't go there.