MovieChat Forums > Shuang tong (2002) Discussion > David Morse is a good actor

David Morse is a good actor

posted 19 years ago by LucretiaBorg
12 replies | jump to latest

To be honoust, I haven't seen this movie yet.
I always look on this website, to see what the general reviews are.
The movie didn't sound that interesting, until I found out David Morse was one of the lead actors.
I think he's very underrated as a (Hollywood) actor.
We all knew him as that dopey docter from St. Elsewhere and after that it was quite(?) for a long time from his side, not counting the few roles he played in 'cheaper' movies, like 'Brotherhood of the Rose, after a novel of David Morrell (First Blood etc.), and that was one of the better ones.

But then Sean Penn made a gem of a movie; The Indian Runner, ook met Morse, Viggo Mortensen, Dennis Hopper, Patricia Arquette's first big role (one of my many favorite actresses), it couldn't be a better cast and David Morse played just as good as the others, only Mortensen was better, but his role was much more interesting.

But from then of, you see him in a lot of Hollywood movies, like The Green Mile, Proof of Life, Bait, Hearts in Atlantis, The Negotiator, The Getaway, Twelve monkeys, etc. etc.
There is not one movie, except maybe The Indian Runner, where he has a big role, but his charactre is always played good, even if the role is a small one, he gives all he's got and I admire that, because in hollywood it's very hard to loose an image, especially after playing years the same role. And all the movies he has a small part in, are all good movies, if you check his work 'till now.

"The owls are not what they seem" (Twin Peaks; Fire, Walk with me)

[–] marilynn25 19 years ago

He really is good. Did you see him in that great actioneer, "The Long Kiss Goodnight," where he actually played a bad guy? Did it convincingly, too. And when he was in "Contact" with Jodie Foster, playing her father, who sadly dies too soon in the beginning of the movie, and then, right at the end, reappears once again to talk with her (actually just the friendly aliens taking on his form, so she wouldn't be scared of communicating with them) and reaffirm her faith, he is so great that I cry every time I watch the thing! I don't think anyone else could have played these roles with such heart.

[–] LucretiaBorg 18 years ago

Yes, that's the one, I couldn't remember the title, but I loved that movie (Geena Davis was great 2) but his role in Contact I didn't remember, only saw that movie ones and thought it was a bit long. But I'm sure he's good in it. In Holland, where I live, they are showing a new program, called Hack, a former crooked(?) cop turns into a taxidriver/detective who's helping other people with their problems, a bit too 'sweat' for my taste, but well played and it's getting a bit better, more action and less drama, till a few weeks ago it was the other way around, so we'll wait and see.....

"In Nomine Patris et Filii et Spiritus Sancti"

[–] Brutalfan 18 years ago

I just get too excited hearing raves about my all time favorite man, David Morse. So I may have overlooked some movies mentioned in the above posts, but have you seen him in Murder Live!? He has the lead and he is ABSOLUTELY AMAZING! He goes through every emotion (anger, torment, sadness, hurt, etc.) and plays them out to a T. Murder Live! is one very touching movie. Besides Green Mile, Murder Live is my next most favorite movie of David's, (oh I could go on and on about him!) I am about to go crazy waiting to go see 16 Blocks (it isn't in theaters here yet). Slaughter Rule wasn't mentioned in these 2 posts either and he was the co-lead, and although I am still not sure about his touching character, The Slaughter Rule is a great movie in itself because David pulls it off, not to mention this was the first time I have ever heard him sing...

He IS one of the most underrated actors out there, I totally agree with you there. I just purchased my own copy of The Indian Runner, I am excited not to have to rent it. I adore him in more of his intimidating and/or cop roles: (as mentioned, the green mile and murder live!) and of course his small role in The Rock was great, not to mention The Negotiator and Bait. My least favorite of his movies, was the controversial Dancer In The Dark. I don't know what it was, maybe it was his truly terrible character, or the way he dies... I just know that DITD was not one of my favorites on David's movie list.

To my Green Mile Man Brutal, (David Morse) You are #1 in my book~

[–] Brutalfan 18 years ago

See, obviously too excited so I posted it twice.

To my Green Mile Man Brutal, (David Morse) You are #1 in my book~

[–] LucretiaBorg 18 years ago

I must confess that I don't know that movie, as far as I can remember, Murder Live, allthough the title sounds familiar, I will look on IMDB. I almost forgot he played in Dancer in the Dark, that one from Lars von Trier? His movies are not for everyone, and that's a big understatement. I just saw Dogville, with Nicole Kidman, but I didn't come further than half an hour, awfull movie. But Dancer in the Dark was better, Björk was very good as the blind woman, but again, not a movie for a large crowd. But now you can see how good David can be in other kind of movies, almost as if he can play anyone and I didn't expect that, after his role as the goofy doctor in St. Elsewhere. Thank god some people gave him a chance to prove it, especially Sean Penn, because after The Indian Runner he got the better roles, as far as I can remember anyway.

"In Nomine Patris et Filii et Spiritus Sancti"

[–] Brutalfan 18 years ago

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0119730/ Here is the IMDB link if you haven't found it. It says it was made for TV, but I never saw this until I recently purchased the DVD. Regardless, if you are a David Morse fan, this movie is a must have. (in my opinion) Yes, you are correct about Dancer in the Dark. That style of movie is not for everyone. David is very capable of playing diverse roles. He always does a great job in my opinion. He has been in a lot of movies with Sean Penn as director, etc. I too am glad he got a chance beyone St. Elsewhere. But anyway, it is nice to meet another David Morse fan!!

PS, you are lucky to be able to watch Hack... I sure hate that they took it off TV here in the USA. ENJOY!! :)

To my Green Mile Man Brutal, (David Morse) You are #1 in my book~

[–] hayes-29 17 years ago

Very much agree with what has been posted about Morse - a consummate professional. Alongside Hanks in Green Mile he could have outshone but instead did the supporting job to perfection. My eyes were on him perhaps even more than on Hanks and that's the way it should be.
Morse will probably never be the draw that the the big names are but I think a lot of cinema fans feel, like me, that when he is on set the thing will be "right", will have a "depth", that the leads alone cannot give.
They used to compare Alec Guinness with Olivier and Gielgud by taliking about "Olivier's" Hamlet or "Gielgud's". Guinness simply "was" Hamlet.
Morse is that kind of actor, he disappears but his character remains.
Admire him greatly. Glad of the opportunity to say so.

[–] canuckteach 17 years ago

On the 'House M.D.' website, there was an excellent clip featuring interviews with David Morse and Hugh Laurie. Laurie apparently uses a certain 'cadence' as the House character, speaking at a great clip, and forcing the other performers to talk incredibly fast to keep up (or look retarded (--: ). However, Morse actually kept to a very even pace, in keeping with his 'Tritter' cool detective character. Laurie loved it. Morse just stared him down and kept talking slowly.

If you see those episodes from Season Three, watch for it: a conflict between two great players almost overshadowing the wonderful tension between the two characters! (But both actors spoke fondly of each other - this is just craft).

:-) canuckteach (--:

[–] zebsander 17 years ago

definetly one of my favorite actors!

[–] Zinzan999 16 years ago

David Morse is a good actor and I have been a fan of his for years ever since Inside Moves in 1980 but why oh why did he decide to appear in this movie? I watched it last night and it was a real struggle and I mainly purchased it because he was in it, but IMO it was dreadful!!

[–] Demarates 16 years ago

Yes he is, too bad his talents are wasted on this horrible mess of a movie...

I am not a complete idiot. Some parts are missing.

[–] puschit-1 15 years ago

He is not only a good actor and very likeable, he also delivered a godd performance in this movie (as a lead!). Shuang Tong is not an easy movie but to me it was very fascinating, mostly because David's character in here. The clash of 3 cultures (american, ancient chinese and modern taiwanese) in a non-comical way was very interesting.