MovieChat Forums > Helter Skelter (2004) Discussion > Manson portrayal: Grade A Ham.

Manson portrayal: Grade A Ham.

posted 9 years ago by whynotwriteme
7 replies | jump to latest

Jeremy Davies played Manson like a Warner Brothers cartoon character. I don't see much difference between Davies interpretation and the satirical Manson who was shown on Saturday Night Live. All the whispery talking and the weird little dance/walk he does in every scene... Sheesh... I bet Davies has a tattoo on his butt that says "Hillshire Farms" he's such an over-cooked ham.

I'm not a fan of Manson but I have seen enough interviews and live footage of him to know that Davies' characterization is utterly farcical. (Example: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T0BFZiKe4i0) True, Manson does act very strangely at times, but that crazy routine seems to be a deliberate act he puts on when he feels outgunned by the person he is talking to. Manson has even admitted this.

Davies isn't playing the "real" Charles Manson. He is playing the caricature version that 14 year old kids imagine the first time they hear a story about that weird hippie guy who had a killer cult in California in the '60s and which has become the standard public image of Manson.

Railsback was better, but even he was too over-the-top. I haven't seen any other Manson movies, but I doubt anyone will ever give a true-to-life portrayal of him. Ironically, the public wouldn't want to see or believe anything but the outrageously exaggerated cartoon Manson.

[–] metatron1970 9 years ago

You're absolutely right about this. I had read at the time of its initial airing in '04 that Davies prepared for the role by listening nonstop to Manson interviews, even while sleeping. You would never know that by observing his performance. I haven't watched the 2004 version in a decade and have no intention of seeing it again anytime soon. You would never know why that case electrified the country in 1970 on the basis of that TV-movie. I believe I read at the time the director's intention was to "demystify" Manson for those young people out there who continue to revere him as an outlaw icon. If creating a Manson so boring and boorish was his intention, he succeeded in spades. Unfortunately, this bears no resemblance to the actual case or the rather fascinatingly complex character of Manson himself.

[–] MisterDenton 9 years ago

Yeah, I found his performance to be kind of hammy as well. His mannerisms were all over the place, and because he said everything in a whispered, raspy voice I felt like I was straining to hear him.

[–] A-Hudson1981 8 years ago

I haven't seen this, but I came here to see if anyone commented on the performance, and I guess it wasn't that accurate. has anyone ever portrayed Manson convincingly?

[–] cataclysm1071 8 years ago

I think that's part of Manson's way. I don't think there is a single person on this earth who can quite emulate his crazy antics. He is definitely an original that even a highly trained actor can't capture. Railsback came very close, but I think even he appeared too high strung and hyper. Manson had his moments of being tightly wound, but at the same time, seemed collected and in control. A delusional madman is pretty hard for a sane actor to imitate.

[–] JaggedDagger 8 years ago

That's what people dont get!

Charlie didn't turn into the cartoon character until in prison!!

He was shy and charming!!

PEOPLE GET IT WRONG!

Davies is a good actor but the writing was wrong!

[–] frankwilkeson 8 years ago

You are all ignoramuses. It was a great performance, worthy of a James Cagney or a Jack Nicholson.

[–] laurieann74 7 years ago

It irritated me beyond anything!!