MovieChat Forums > The Syndicate (2013) Discussion > Lenny Henry's character....

Lenny Henry's character....

posted 9 years ago by Birminghamukengland
3 replies | jump to latest

Thus show is watchable rubbish but is the best the bbc can offer nowadays, sadly. They will never get to the lofty heights if Happy Valley again it seems.

Does anyone else find Sir Lenny Henry (the Honours system really needs abolishing...Sir...my backside) really awkward and irritating to watch. He deserves an award for over acting, that's a fact but his constant booming angry voice and antagonising character is repulsive.

This is like watching a school play. No Bafta's here I feel. Even the cast look bemused most of the time.

I want a refund on my license!

[–] mark5000910 9 years ago

Ha!
I'll put you down as an 'undecided' as of yet, then. ;-)
I agree - Henry is over-acting. But he wasn't trained as an actor. And Stand-Ups have to be more extrovert.
So actually it's the fault of the director.

[–] Birminghamukengland 9 years ago

Yes I agree but the arrogance of these people never ceases to amaze me. I trained for 5 years as a nurse and have loads of qualifications. Now, I would never even contemplate accepting a job as a hair dresser for example, even though anyone can say they are a hairdresser! So, this is the same principal with Henry, he should have the humility to not accept such roles as he simply can't do it. It's the same with West End theatre...They get x factor rejects to sell tickets who have never acted before and are diabolical. The same can be said for Graham Norton in La Cage...excruciating experience.

[–] alligatoruk 9 years ago

I actually like Lenny's portrayal of Godfrey - I think unlike some of his other roles, he's acting and not just playing himself

The shouty thing is obviously a trait of his character being on the autism spectrum and having difficulty communicating his feelings in a "normal" manner (sorry, didn't want to use that word but couldn't think of a more suitable one).

I would imagine portraying that character, without being offensive would be difficult - as would the massive amount of complex dialogue and numerical data he had to spout - so I think Lenny did a great job.

I also loved his voice in this - not remotely Brummie and so cute!