MovieChat Forums > Fighting (2009) Discussion > It's obvious; Howard's characterization ...

It's obvious; Howard's characterization is trying to be

posted 13 years ago by puplover
2 replies | jump to latest

Ratso rizzo! (for the 5 of you for don't know, that's Midnite Cowboy). As soon as I saw this movie, I just KNEW that was his model for this character: the VERY small time hustling (though not as pathetic as ratso);the goofy, unmanly sort of high pitched voice; some of the silly things he says and how he kind of mumbles them; his getting zero respect from anyone; him inviting someone to stay in his home that he doesn't even know (part loneliness/part trying to make money). Even his clothes. Sort of an upgrading Ratso.

It was VERY clear to me that Howard was trying to do that w/ his character; he was trying to make something out of nothing. Which to me, is admirable.

I mean Channing Tatum can take his shirt off and yum, but he's got the charisma of cardboard.

Thoughts?? Love to hear if anyone else thought of this!

[–] jesserafe 11 years ago

A thousand years late, but YES.

In the very beginning I was joking that he sounded like the part was supposed to be written for a 60-year-old Jewish guy, they went color-blind casting, and Howard decided to keep that characterization.

Then, only at the end when talking about going further south than Birmingham, I instantly realized it was Ratso's voice.

So glad someone else thought that. And not random nonsense like "Bill Cosby".

[–] saneman1 8 years ago

That's what I was going to post too. I am watching the movie now and this is exactly who he was channeling.