Elijah Wood - Frodo-Mutilator?

[paranoid marvin]

Originally Posted by Tickle

I thought Elijah did a good job as Frodo. I have read the books several times (before the movies were made) and I think he portrayed Frodo well facially (since we couldn't tell what he was thinking, like it gives us in the books) and with body language.

Anyone who has seen the movie, should be able to honestly say that one of the main heroes was Sam. My 6 year old niece was able to tell that. I think all of the actors did well. None of them made me say, they are unbelievable as this or that person. Now whenever I read the books, those are the faces I see.

I agree - in fact I would say that Sam was the main hero of the story. Tbh as far as I'm concerned Frodo represents the 'upper-class' and is therefore in charge of the partnership , but it is only Sam , who represents the ordinary 'working-class' man in the street , who is capable of seeing the job through to it's ultimate conclusion.

Frodo has a weak character - he isnt particularly likeable in the novels (wherea Sam is) and isnt likeable in the films either - and without Sam (& Gollum) he would have got no closer to Mordor than the marshes

[Sire Of Dragons]

Well I dunno if anyone was aware of this but Elijah Wood went on to play that psychotic killer in Sin City. The character I believe named Kevin.

If Frodo was a wimp thru the whole series of books I dunno if I wanna read it.
I don't like wimps being portrayed as heroes.

Hence Harry Potter. I've been more annoyed by his character in the first several movies. The girl always had more power than him until this last one.

[devilsgrin]

perhaps you should try the books then?
Frodo isn't a wimp at all. He willingly takes up the burden of the Ring on the trip to Mount Doom. Thats the bravest act in the entire book/movie. To willingly volunteer to walk into the equivalent of Hell to save the world. There are times when Frodo actually seems rather elvish - a side-affect of the Ring no doubt - and that can make him seem not quite all there at times, and not particularly adventurous just as often. He watches, he learns, he takes the measure of people - Faramir in particular. The Movie Faramir is pathetic in the extreme. The book faramir is so much nobler, so much more the hero.
Sam is the main reason i skip their chapters... Mr Frodo, Mr Frodo - i can't stand characters who cry out the name of someone endlessly as if it will help their situation. He also seems rather simple - not dumb as such, but simple - i detest stupid and narrow-minded characters, Sam is just such a character. Sean Astin is a great Sam, don't get me wrong, i just loathe the Character 2nd most out of all the fellowship.

[pyan]

Originally Posted by devilsgrin

i detest stupid and narrow-minded characters, Sam is just such a character. Sean Astin is a great Sam, don't get me wrong, i just loathe the Character 2nd most out of all the fellowship.

But how can you square this description of Sam with the character who took up the burden of the Ring in Cirith Ungol, something Gandalf and Galadriel had both refused to do, and would have continued alone if need be? With the Sam who braved the Tower there to rescue Frodo from the Orcs? Who willingly gave the Ring back to Frodo, the only one to do so?

[paranoid marvin]

exactly -frodo took the Ring quest for the lofty aims of defeating Sauron and freeing Middle Earth - but I suspect a more compelling ulterior motive was to keep possession of his Precious , as it had already become to him.

Sam took the quest , and ultimately the burden of the Ring for no more than friendship - regardless of what that might entail.

[devilsgrin]

yet even sam struggled with giving the ring back to Frodo.
Galadriel and Gandalf had both very good reasons to not take up the ring, reasons that Sam was not privy to in gandalf's case, and couldn't have understood in Galadriel's.
Sam is a peasant. lets be blunt. he's been raised his whole life to do as he's told. to do his duty to his master. i don't doubt his bravery. but its still coming from a simple place. His sense of blind devotion is the reason he went to rather extreme lengths to save Frodo. that doesn't make him a hero, it makes him a robot... Thats it - Sam is the R2-D2 of LotR

[sc91084]

I must object 100% completely with this! I personally liked Elijah Wood as Frodo, and must strongly disagree with the idea of him having freaky eyes! I believed his eyes to be a big selling point for him. He used his eyes a lot as a means of expression. I actually think Elijah is kind of cute in my oppinion. as to being weepy or what ever, I must major object here. One thing that i have a sever issue with when it comes to people criticizing an actor or actress in a movie is when they attack the portrayal of that character! Remember, they have a script to follow! It may not even be there choice! You have a director, producer, and the screenwrites who develop the storyline/characters and give the cast acting direction. I have watched some of the behind the scenes special features interviews, and know that Peter Jackson was VERY specific in what he wanted and the cast often had to take multiple takes of a scene till they got it how he wanted it. Most actors/actresses probably do not have a lot of say in the direction of their character. If it's a tv show or a prolonged movie series (like harry potter) then the characters and cast tend to blend and become one. Otherwise they are more than likely following the direction of director.

Now, everyone is entitled to there own opinion! . And i actually have a friend who finds Elijah annoying as well. But personal preferences and opinions aside, give the lad a break! if his character was to "weepy" then just keep in mind what i said about following a script. I stand up for actors (even if they are not a favored actor/actress of mine) for the sole reason that I think we tend to forget that they have a job to do just like anyone else, and for all we know they have been told/given the instruction on how to portray the character. As a music theatre major I have had to deal with this type of scenario first hand! My idea of how to portray a character was not the same as the directors and had to follow the direction I was given. It's part of the buisness. So don't be to hard on actors! For all we know it's what the script called for.

[Stephen Palmer]

The entire cast was amazing in LORT, not just Elijah. But my nomination for most amazing role is Wormtongue, ie. Brad Dourif.

[paranoid marvin]

Originally Posted by devilsgrin

yet even sam struggled with giving the ring back to Frodo.
Galadriel and Gandalf had both very good reasons to not take up the ring, reasons that Sam was not privy to in gandalf's case, and couldn't have understood in Galadriel's.
Sam is a peasant. lets be blunt. he's been raised his whole life to do as he's told. to do his duty to his master. i don't doubt his bravery. but its still coming from a simple place. His sense of blind devotion is the reason he went to rather extreme lengths to save Frodo. that doesn't make him a hero, it makes him a robot... Thats it - Sam is the R2-D2 of LotR

Sam is the servant of Frodo , as Frodo is servant of the Ring. His greatest test upon acquiring the Ring is deciding which master to serve; fortunately for him (and the rest of Middle Earth) he chooses wisely

[devilsgrin]

Originally Posted by paranoid marvin

Sam is the servant of Frodo , as Frodo is servant of the Ring. His greatest test upon acquiring the Ring is deciding which master to serve; fortunately for him (and the rest of Middle Earth) he chooses wisely

how well put!