His finest moment since SCTV? I'm saying yes. IMO all of the Christopher Guest
movies have been fine vehicles, far better than what Hollywood has given him to work with.
Poets are made by fools like me, but only God can make STD.
One thing I found really interesting in my most recent viewing of the film is how much clarity, skill, and control Mitch performs with in the broadcast. The rest of the film he is spaced out and lost, but while he is singing with Mickey his gaze disappears and he sings with precision and command. And when the song is over, he goes back into that vacant stare. Very interesting detail to Levy's performance.
Perhaps he is only 'at home' on stage performing, and he is lost when can't be there.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0qL-CgzQ0FY&feature=related
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The first couple of times I watched this film, I found Mitch the most difficult character in the movie. I just couldn't "get" him, and found him extremely annoying. But he grew on me, and after many viewings, I find the character oddly moving.
But Levy's finest moment has to be Gerry, the dog show winning "parent" in "Best in Show."
I actually liked Mitch and missed his character when the movie ended - LOL !!
'I only wanted a drink of water' LOL !! I think he was the only truly sane one amongst the insanity of the other characters.Years of psychotropic meds. shock treatment and institutionalization produced the glassy eyed, vacant stare.The 'Mickey' character seemed pretty together but the description of the violence she was capable of, as described early on, hinted that there was something dark and scary just under the surface. The ending, when Mickey describes the 'kiss' and how she interpreted Mitch's reaction,was great moment and I thought it gave a bit of insight into Mitch and how grounded he really was.
'...she was mislead by the theatrics...' LOL !!
So what if he couldn't remember the name of his hotel ! Like you never forgot what row you parked your car in ?
*Long live Mitch !
I actually just wrote this on his message board. I think his job in this film is comedic genius. His delivery throughout the whole film is impecable. It's a shame that the majority of the population my age will only remember him as the dad on American Pie.
sharebbramsen^
SO agree
"Shake your hair girl with your ponytail"
I thought he was hilarious in Splash also. Going Berserk was also a favorite of mine where he played the smarmy friend of John Candy. Never saw the American Pie movies, but I've never seen Eugene Levy give a performance that didn't make me laugh.
shareThis was his best performance he was brilliant. Not only was he funny but you really cared about that burned-out character and the man can sing! Best eyebrow performance since Soviet premier Brezhnev or Groucho Marx.
shareMy personal favorite performance of his was in SCTV where he played Floyd the Barber in an episode of the Merv Griffith show, which if you have never seen it is available on youtube. He had some major eyebrow action going on there, and did the best Floyd impersonation I have ever seen, bar none.
shareThanks I'll have to check that one out!
EDIT: just watched a bad video of it on youtube so hard to see but Levy really nails the Floyd character. But come on, how many Floyd impersonations have ever been done to say that's the best bar-none! LOL
I also liked him as the car salesman in National Lampoon's Vacation. The bit where he looks through the window and see Chevy Chase pulling up is hilarious. More great eyebrow acting.
I, too, have never seen the American Pie movies, but there was a promo for oneof them where the parents of the two college students walk in on them having sex, Eugene being one of the fathers. His peformance in that bit, where he sort of stammers his way through greeting the girl's father (who looks like he's about to kill everyone in the room). "I didn't get your daughter's name, but I'm sure my son did", I think is the line.
Just like Ozzy Osbourne
I never thought he could play such a romantic character. He gives me chills when he kisses Mickey.
He's just wonderful.
I know that this is an ancient post, but I wanted to say that his performance in this was the best performance I've seen him give. I was very disappointed when he wasn't given an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actor - he deserved it!
Alas! The next word is ‘pigs’ bristles’. We are undone, my good Watson!
I thought he overacted. His performance took me out.
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