MovieChat Forums > Proof of Life (2000) Discussion > I feel so bad for David Morse

I feel so bad for David Morse

posted 16 years ago by julianpurcaru
21 replies | jump to latest

I mean he seems to have a history of playing these pathetic family loser types, otherwise decent folks, getting a raw deal in all these movies. In this one especially he gets *beep* over so bad that you have to feel sorry for him. I know it's just a movie, but I just hope he isn't like that in real life too.

Another movie I felt sorry for him was Indian Runner (based on a song called Highway Patrolman by Bruce Springsteen), where he plays the decent, good older brother to a crazy, self destructive Vietnam veteran younger brother).

I didn't particularly care for Russell Crowe and why everyone was so mesmerized with him (personally I find him a big phoney, and his Australian accent only makes it worse) was a mystery to me even before this movie, but after watching it it has made me dislike him even more and I just cannot watch anything else he is in.

Maybe I shouldn't have taken it so seriously but I left the theater wanting to kick both Meg Ryan and Crowe's asses for acting like stupid horny teenagers behind their parents' backs.

[–] 16 years ago

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[–] julianpurcaru 16 years ago

Well Frasier Fan. I guess I should have said that I actually like David Morse very much (which is why I feel sorry for him if he is getting typecast) especially for how good he is at portraying normal, regular, decent people in his parts, but who normally get rotten deals.

I have seen the movies you mention and I agree with what you say. I guess my beef in this particular case is with Crowe: one of my favorite actors getting screwed over by one of the most annoying people in Hollywood these days as far as I'm concerned.

[–] 16 years ago

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[–] thelivster 16 years ago

well let's be honest morse may be a good actor but he's never going to be on the level of crowe i mean the insider, gladiator, beutiful mind, L.A confidential and now this year with 3:10 to Yuma and American Gangster i mean however much you dislike him you can't deny his talent.

http://www.arresteddevelopment2009.com/

[–] sharane_alvarez 16 years ago

Very good point and I hope all of you Russell Crowe haters take notice, he is very talented and there is no denying it. By the way, whoever said that his accent makes him worse is full of baloney.

[–] jane_bront 16 years ago

Terry and Alice didn't act inappropriately. No vows were broken. They developed feelings for one another while together constantly in an emotionally tense situation. They shared one kiss and a sad goodbye.

[–] black_cherry1999 16 years ago

ooh sorry for this this feeling . it just one kiss? i call this "love"

[–] lambcam1 16 years ago

Have any of you seen Casablanca? The ending of this movie is just like that, with Crowe's character sending Meg back to her husband, despite his strong feelings for her. "We'll always have Paris" updated.
I really enjoyed this adult, intelligent drama based on a real life kidnapping.

[–] jpoo 16 years ago

Also very similar to the movie Hanover Street, a film in the early career of Harrison Ford.

JP

[–] Ed-145 14 years ago

Lambcam, good comment.

[–] canuckteach 14 years ago

Morse was excellent as a cop who has a run-in with 'House' - Morse played a detective named Tritter, I believe. After being treated poorly by House at the clinic, Tritter nails him for narcotics violations (due to House's propensity for popping Vicodin). This storyline continued for several episodes.

What was particularly interesting was that there was conflict between the two characters, but also professional conflict between Hugh Laurie and Morse. Laurie uses what has come to be known as the 'House cadence': lines are spoken quickly, even when complex. It's challenging to keep up with Laurie, who is truly a skilled actor. Morse refused to speak at that speed - you will notice that he speaks softly and with an even-tempo, even when the 'House' character appears to be trying to accelerate the pace. I saw an interview on the 'House' website where both actors discussed this respectfully. It resulted in compelling scenes.

Morse has some excellent, though understated, 'chops'!

I only saw 'Proof of Life' once, on TV - the DVD is being flogged in the Walmart bins for 5$ now.

:-) canuckteach (--:

[–] Adam_P_L 13 years ago

I don't think there's any reason to feel bad for Morse or the characters he plays. The first time I saw this movie -- in the theater -- I was impressed with his character. There were many reasons why Russell Crowe's character was supposed to be the big man in the movie, but I always felt that Morse's character was just as strong. The way he stood up to his kidnappers, and everything he did, made him a compelling, powerful character.

http://ocdviewer.wordpress.com

[–] cbjslp 13 years ago

Since these original posts re: David Morse, I think we can add his role in '16 Blocks' with Bruce Willis and Mos Def. Excellent acting in that one! Plus George Washington in 'John Adams' . . .

[–] Radalan 13 years ago

I don't see how he's a pathetic loser in Proof Of Life.
He's a "normal" guy who's kidnapped by guerillas, 90% of all normal people would be as pathetic or more in a situation like that.

What clichés? Thats a word the wannabe critics use when they want to whinge.

[–] Sanchez6 13 years ago

I like David Morse. He is very good actor. He portrayed strong father's character in movie "Down in the Valley", one of my favourites. Although I root for Edward Norton's lonesome cowboy, I must admit David Morse was pretty good here.

[–] lamont-hard 13 years ago

But David's character won his wife back in the end i suggest you go back and watch the ending again and watch his demeanor, he knew his wife had fallen for the rescuer from her body language, he patiently waited for her to return to the van where at that moment he knew she would be with him all it took was to hold her hand and lock eyes with her, as for Russell Crow he as a actor would not be involved in stealing a good man's wife from him. A listed male actors don't do that, it is bad for there image as an actor and since most male viewers don't like it they would not want to hurt there market value. So he told her to go back to your husband and the scene made it look like he really cared classic Hollywood stuff. I hope I gave you a better understanding on the two male characters.

[–] deelbeee 13 years ago

Watch "Disturbia" David Morse has range.

Re: Crowe and Meg Ryans' characters, I do not think they had one ounce of chemistry between them in Proof of Life.

Russell Crowe is a very good, talented actor.

I think they all got a raw deal in this mediocre movie.

[–] sumankey13 12 years ago

"not one ounce of chemistry" between Ryan and Crowe?

except didn't she leave her real life husband Dennis Quaid for Russel right after this movie was filmed??

[–] roell29 12 years ago

One-way chemistry maybe, since Crowe was just playing with Meg. Suffering from boredom, he made a bet with the crew that he would have sex with her in ten different locations before the movie wrapped - turned the charm dial up to 11 and went above and beyond his goal, leaving her hopelessly smitten, husband kicked to the curb, though Crowe never really had the slightest interest in her. Both were left tainted and their careers suffered majorly, according to some Hollywood gossip BS I just read.

Welcome to Costco, I love you...

[–] blondewoman 8 years ago

Roell29,
According to People Mag, you are full of it, but I enjoyed your bs a bit.

http://www.people.com/people/archive/article/0,,20134850,00.html

[–] Jayroo 8 years ago

Feel sorry for people with real issues, like yourself for instance.