Defenders of the A&P Love Story Reloaded (Part 3)

Nice to see we've got a brand new thread and didn't even skip a beat. Just goes to show that this group is like the Energizer bunny...

My opinion of Hayden is that he is a fine actor. He has a dramatic quality that some just don't like, but I think it has worked well for him in his roles to date. Many give him a hard time for his AOTC portrayal, but just watch AOTC and try to recite those lines yourself. Put yourself in the fireplace scene and recite his lines and you'll discover that he did a pretty good job with the lines he was given. That and the fact that he had to bridge the voice mannerisms of both Jake Lloyd and JEJ, I'd say he had a difficult character to portray. I've found that for some reason British actors can get away with lines like "Join me and together we will destroy the Sith!" But give that line to an American or Canadian actor, and it just... loses something. So, all in all I think the kid is doing a pretty good job with his movie choices to date, and considering that he's only 23, I'd have to say I'm impressed.

And I can't help but smile at all the *Scott Love* going around



MBJ

So... got room for another devoted P/A-er?

Oh, yes...ALWAYS room for more!!

Especially in our new little place!!!

Whoo-hooo!!

Hello friends!

I would have to say, also, that I really loved HC in LAAH!! He did a fantastic job!! Really stirred my emotions...i.e. the scene where Sam's parents are dancing and he is looking in on them...that face!!! There is sooo much happening there (to quote Robin Gurland ) The longing, the sadness, the joy, the heartache, the little boy inside...it's all there in one face!!



-AnakinsLuv

Meanwhile, Palpatine knows all about family friendly politics. Just look at him celebrating Christmas with the Skywalker family.

"Christmas"....hahahahha!!! I now look at the scene in a totally new "light" !!

Hey openmind ...that is a really good point that you bring up about couples getting married before the one goes off to war. I, too, have never thought of it that way.

And, I hate to admit it, but I have only seen little clips here and there of Higher Ground ...I'm not really sure where to find the re-runs. I didn't know about it until after the series was over... *looks at everyone with a longing sigh*

-AnakinsLuv

Hey, I haven't seen the whole series yet meself either.... Still missin' out on quite a few eppies, unfortunately....thought I'd finally have the chance tosee the whole show, right from the start, when a local station here aired "Scott Free", the first eppy, right out of the blue one Sunday evening....problem is, though, that I can't find hide nor hair of the show on *any* local listings anywhere now, and it seems that the station that was airing it before now has just totally yanked it off, *most* unceremoniously....and after they teased me thusly with just the first episode - well, suffice it to say, I'm rather ticked off about the whole thing. Also contemplating some sort of drastic action against the network as well.... (wonder if they've been trained to deal with a viewer as irate as I am?) I will *not* be denied my Hayden....grrr, argh....

*is having luscious Sam and Scott thoughts tonight....thank you so much for that!*


Dawn.

Page 2 already? Sheesh! Not that that's bad - I'm glad we P/A fans don't have a shortage of things to talk about.

Oh, yes...ALWAYS room for more!!

Thanks, AnakinsLuv. (Great name, by the way.)

Many give him a hard time for his AOTC portrayal, but just watch AOTC and try to recite those lines yourself. Put yourself in the fireplace scene and recite his lines and you'll discover that he did a pretty good job with the lines he was given.

I agree.

Honestly, when I read his monologue for that scene in the novel, I was absolutely dreading that part of the movie. Like Hayden, I was thinking "oh, no WAY is that going to work!" But even on first viewing, where my reactions to the movie were still mixed, I was pleasantly surprised by how he pulled off the dialogue there. (I would still have cut off the monologue before he got to the point about being haunted by the kiss and it being a scar, but in the end you can still technically chalk it up to the poor boy having zero experience with women. ) HC made it work better than almost anyone else would have in that scene, I think. You could tell he was trying his best with those lines.

Whenever my sister and I watch LAAH, without fault my sister always immediately skips to the scene where Sam's dad tells him he has cancer - because Hayden's just so amazing there. We both just sit there and don't say a word, and are always wowed by it. I still think I get more of an emotional response from his scenes in AotC (the look he has in his eyes right after his mother dies, and then the scene where he confesses the massacre to Padme - those give me the chills almost more than anything else in these films), but that's probably because I'm simply more invested in SW.

grrr, argh.... (and the little monster hops across the screen)

Got that one, Dawn

I actually like what Anakin says to Padme in that scene...I mean, I know, it's mushy and cheesy, but I just love romantic stuff ...normally not so mushy and cheesy, but it's between our fav. couple and well, it's Hayden saying it...so that makes it good stuff, IMO

-AnakinsLuv

Hayden quite simply stole LAAH. I think even if I'd never seen him in AOTC and I happened to see that film I would've been blown away by his performance in it. In fact, I think that nearly everyone else overacts in it, whereas he simply IS Sam. It's hard to explain. He's got this incredible vulnerability that he brings to his roles. I just can't think of another young actor who could've successfully pulled that part off and turned that most disagreeable young man into the straight-shooter that Sam became at the end of the film. That role was just made for Hayden.

For all that Anakin shows a lot of bravado around his Master and everyone else, we are blessed to see Hayden place his heart on his sleeve in his more intimate scenes with Natalie.

Although many people despise the line, I think one of his best moments is when he recites the Sand line. While he's talking about hating sand, he's not looking at Natalie, he's looking down in shame, like he's ashamed of himself for having come from there. Then he looks up and compliments Naboo and is ever so hopeful that possibly, just possibly, that stunning woman could actually see for once the man that he has become and not the boy he left behind.

He's got that perfect blend of innocence mingled w/ teen age hormonal angst down pat.

*Sigh*


Openmind

I've often thought the same thing that Anakin and Padme's wedding was rather like the impulsive shot-gun weddings of WW2 soldiers before they headed off to war.

All my coworkers get all emotional over LAAH. One of them even wants to buy it from me! They were all so impressed with Hayden's performance, they all wanted to know what else he's done. All I have to say is "Darth Vader" and let them figure it out.

I really can't wait to see what he'll do after ROTS. I hope he'll make good choice and just grow even more gorgeous day by day!

MissPademe, it couldn't be called Revenge of the Defenders of the A&P Love Story - you must know that revenge isn't a defender concept

Could call it the Blue Harvest thread, I suppose - after all, for some, a Lucas-scripted love story is horror beyond imagination

Wow, Round 3, huh?

Is this match scheduled for 15 rounds?

MissPadme

Shouldn't have we called it Revenge of the Defenders of the A&P Love Story

Good observation.

Thanks for answering the other question too. I understand the follow through from his work on AOTC to the other things he's done. I did it myself. And I respect him as a great actor who has the ability to portray Anakin as well as anyone. I do think that he could exude a bit more sexuality (almost vampiric in its quality) than he does (though I know that GL wanted him to be more naive about such things. I just think that it's part of Anakin's personality that doesn't come off that much. In AOTC, he's 20 yo and though without any real experience, he should have a further awakening of that part of himself. Innocence, I believe to a degree, was left behind in TPM and now is just naivete toward the realities and natures of certain things. There is a raw power to Anakin's personality that comes through in everything that he does and I think, though it's obviously GL's call, that the sensuality of his character could have been shown a bit more. Remember, sensuality is very akin to power. Anyway, just an opinion.)

I was just wondering if the actor can be separated from the role. How much of your opinions about Hayden have to do with him being Anakin versus his qualities as a real life human being?

*walks in and begins to unroll a shaggy carpet, toss beanbags and pillows on the floor and stand anakin/padme cardboard cutouts against the walls* we need some redecorating for the new pad!

*hands out brownies* made by Obi-Wan, himself! (so be careful. we dont want any casualties, we arent covered by insurance)

Oops, forgot to take off my sock!

Cool--we're on round 3. Long live the A/P love story!

Good to see you here, A21.

Stryphe: I love the Palpatine comments.

As far as Hayden--I watched an episode of "Higher Ground" back in 2000 when Hayden was first cast, simply because I wanted to see an example of his acting. I don't remember what the episode was called, but it's the one where Shelby leaves the school and Scott throws a perfect Anakin-like temper tantrum--I remember thinking, "Oh...my...God. This guy is Anakin." I got hooked on the show after that.

I also went to see LAAH because Hayden was in it and for no other reason--ditto with "Shattered Glass". It's funny that in both movies, you want to smack the crap out of Hayden's character but you can't help but like him anyway--I think that's a mark of a good actor, that Hayden is able to portray the complexities in his characters. He does the same with Anakin.

Yeah.. another sequel of the continuing love for the love story! This is a serious testimony to our devotedness. How many other threads have the sequels such as ours? We need a special banner and treatment for being so dedicated

I would love to see Hayden on the DVD versions of Higher Ground. I did manage to get the tape of him when he was in the half hour program on Real People. He played the son of a man who was crippled and they got stuck in the woods. He ran and ran desperately to get help for his father. He was about 18 in that and did a great job on the angst. I sometimes wonder if he was a young boy who used that as a 'tool' to get mom to feel badly for him and give him his way. That is not meant as a criticism by any means as I know kids do that.

I had not seen anything of him prior to ATOC but then did watch others to see if he could act and he really can. He exudes emotions on quite a spectrum and can show them in his facial expressions better than any others. You can see it even in the mag ads for clothes, not just in the films. He really communicates well with his eyes and facial muscles. Just scroll through some of the images on the net! I have been

I also love the acting of JD but, while he is voted the sexiest man alive, I do not think he has the range of emotions that Hayden does. JMO
WELCOME TO ALL NEW DEFENDERS!

There is a raw power to Anakin's personality that comes through in everything that he does and I think, though it's obviously GL's call, that the sensuality of his character could have been shown a bit more. Remember, sensuality is very akin to power.

Well, there's only so much you can do in a PG-rated movie . But even so, all Hayden has to do is stand there and he still radiates sensuality. That one brief look Anakin gives Padmé when he says "Sorry, milady" had plenty of gals in the audience twice his age do this [face_drool]. The pix I've seen of him in ROTS had me do this [face_drool] [face_drool] [face_drool].

I was just wondering if the actor can be separated from the role. How much of your opinions about Hayden have to do with him being Anakin versus his qualities as a real life human being?

Aside from how well he played Anakin, my opinions of him as a person are formed by what I've seen in person, in interviews, etc. as well as what people who have met him have said about him. I know he's not like Anakin in real life.

--MissPadme

Well, there's only so much you can do in a PG-rated movie . But even so, all Hayden has to do is stand there and he still radiates sensuality. That one brief look Anakin gives Padmé when he says "Sorry, milady"

Oh yes! That little exchange with the whole "I am grown up" and the "dont look at me that way" ....How I wish I were in Padme's shoes then.

Hayden also did an amazing job portraying emotion without words in the scene where Padme is discussing with queen Jamilla the safety situation and where she'll stay, and Anakin interrupts her but she shuts him down. He looks uber-pissed! Definitely capable of some force 'hugs' on the ol' windpipe.

My other favorite wordless bit from the movie was in the fireplace scene, when it zoomes in on mostly padme (but anakin is still in the shot) as he tries to get closer to her and she squirms away (in sync) I think it shows how uncomfortable padme is, and how willing anakin is to break the rules.


Lastly, I LOVE LOVE LOVE the wedding scene, especially the way Anakin looks at Padme tenderly after they kiss, love and adoration radiating from his eyes...you can tell he really cherishes her. congrats GL on a job well done!

Stryphe: I love the Palpatine comments.

<img src="http://www1.theforce.net/jc/icons/thephantommenace/darthsidious_tpm_wen.gif">

Excellent, everything is proceeding as I have foreseen.

Hayden also did an amazing job portraying emotion without words in the scene where Padme is discussing with queen Jamilla the safety situation and where she'll stay, and Anakin interrupts her but she shuts him down. He looks uber-pissed! Definitely capable of some force 'hugs' on the ol' windpipe.

Oh yeah....he looks totally pissed off there
I'm lovin' it!!

My other favorite wordless bit from the movie was in the fireplace scene, when it zoomes in on mostly padme (but anakin is still in the shot) as he tries to get closer to her and she squirms away (in sync) I think it shows how uncomfortable padme is, and how willing anakin is to break the rules.

I love that scene too... I love how the novelization puts it:

"You're asking me to be rational," Anakin replied without the slightest hesitation, and his confidence and boldness here caught Padme a bit by surprise. There was no longer anything of the child in the man before her. She felt her control slip a bit."

Well, I tell you...my control would be out the window if I were her!! I'd be like this "Okay, you win...take me now!!" Hahahah....

MissPadme

Yeah, that look he gives her there and also before they first kiss...well, no one can give that look like Hayden!! I don't know of any woman in the world who didn't want to be Padme at those particular moments!!

-AnakinsLuv

Mmmm, yes, quite.... And to be sure, how Padme *ever* could muster up even the slightest ounce of resistance or firmness of argument in the face of....well, of *him*, period....how she could even attempt to remain steadfast and unmoving, I truly do not know. Because as you say....one look from him like that, and I'd be absolutely melting....and *what* resolve, indeed? - for I've absolutely no doubt that I'd be tackling him to the ground and climbing all over him....lovely, *lovely* boy....delightful thought! I know beyond any shadow of a doubt that I would not, *could* not, ever resist him....not one whit....said it before and I'll gladly say it again, if I'd been in Padme's place when Anakin was confessing his love for her, so passionately, rawly, honestly and heartfelt, by the fireplace....my heart and soul absolutely would have been his. For no one, after all, could ever resist such pleas of love and worship, devotion and utter, unswerving loyalty and passion!

After all, when he lays his heart bare like that, it really is the most sincerely touching, wonderful thing in the world....he's being entirely himself, in that moment....and is only all the more beautiful, appealing, attractive, fascinating, magnetic, entrancing, and wholly marvellous for it! Of course....come to think of it....in Padme's place, I'd have undoubtedly thrown all caution and thoughts of the rest of the galaxy to the winds, and just gleefully pounced on him from that very moment when he's just looking at her so intensely in her apartment....looking her over, and then some....I just *so* would have been his, then and forevermore.... I mean, really....what else *is* there?


Dawn.

Hi people! Nice to see thenew thread.

MissPadme

Well, there's only so much you can do in a PG-rated movie

Agreed.

But even so, all Hayden has to do is stand there and he still radiates sensuality. That one brief look Anakin gives Padmé when he says "Sorry, milady" had plenty of gals in the audience twice his age do this [face_drool]. The pix I've seen of him in ROTS had me do this [face_drool] [face_drool] [face_drool].

Well, being a very secure man, I would have to take your word on it about his sensuality, from a "interested" (or just female) perspective. I am aware and I've noticed that there are a few moments when he is seductive toward Padme -- I just think that it could have been a bit more often (though that's GL's call). IMHO, sensuality is a central aspect of Anakin's personality and would be present in a lot of what he does. Now whether this is because Hayden couldn't come through with it, or whether GL held him back a great deal, I don't know for sure. I would tend to agree with an equal balance of both. Hayden's roles so far haven't been particularly sensual, so whether he can pull it off or not is a debatable question.

I do believe, however, that you will see a lot more of Anakin's sensuality in ROTS as his feelings and emotions tend more toward the dark side. He will become more seductive in his body language and actions, where they will be both fear-inducing, powerful, and sensual at the same time. The classic trio that all men strive for.

Aside from how well he played Anakin, my opinions of him as a person are formed by what I've seen in person, in interviews, etc. as well as what people who have met him have said about him. I know he's not like Anakin in real life.

I agree. That's how I evaluate him as well.


Now I know you ladies are commenting on different scenes from AOTC, but how does Hayden's sensuality stack up to other actors, like Viggo Mortensen in LOTR (just to be comparable at the SF level), or even Ralph Fiennes in "The English Patient"? Do they, as well as other actors, seem more sensual because of the roles or because of their natural personalities and abilities as an actor?

Watching the AOTC DVD and looking at the counter I realize that the whole love story, at least the really, flowery romantic part just takes place within the first hour. After that it goes into darker territory with them going to Tatooine to save Anakin's mother. There really aren't that many "romance" scenes during the actual running time, but they were strong enough to make an impact.

regarding Hayden versus other actors: The closest would be Johnny Depp IMHO. However, I can't think of any other actor who is currently active who has the smoldering eyes that capture you as Hayden's do. I do recall that Clark Gable could look like that and James Dean. I have seen a twinkle in Johnny's eyes that indicates the same michevious looks as Hayden but not the same on the other emotions. I am an eye person so I really tune in on those the most and that is the key reason I just get absorbed by the looks Hayden gives. You can even see it in the .5 second view of the hyperspace webdocs when he gives that side view look that just has an evil hate to it. I assume it is taken during either the duel with Obi or Dooku. He just has magic eyes I do feel Hayden is very talented and I hope he eventually gets recognized as one of the greatest some day.

Quite true, waheenay....gloriously, triumphantly so. After all, there's a very powerful reason why *we* are so entirely devoted to The Love Story....why it irresistibly caught us from the very first mometns - we were captivated, enthralled, fascinated, intrigued, devoted to it then - and only remain so even more strongly now. There's a reason, aye.... Everything that happens makes its necessary impact - it packs a *lot* of punch....and whether it's but the shortest, seemingly most fleeting of moments, or something rather longer - that it packs so much oomph, such emotional, touching, tender, passionate power, in *any* amount of time....that it can have such an effect, no matter how long or short....that's how you know what *really* works. And it *does*! And, yeah, didn't we just already know that....


Dawn. (blissing out over Hayden's magic eyes....and thank you for that thought!)

Now whether this is because Hayden couldn't come through with it, or whether GL held him back a great deal, I don't know for sure. I would tend to agree with an equal balance of both. Hayden's roles so far haven't been particularly sensual, so whether he can pull it off or not is a debatable question.

I read some where that Hayden was constantly trying to make the EpII Anakin a lot darker/sensual than what we actually saw. He said that George was constantly telling him to hold back more and not be so dark. And then in ROTS, Hayden said he really had a lot he could "sink his teeth into". This time he was free to let the darkness loose!! And the "sensual" will just come along with that, I think. (Gosh, I can't wait to see that!! )

Now I know you ladies are commenting on different scenes from AOTC, but how does Hayden's sensuality stack up to other actors, like Viggo Mortensen in LOTR (just to be comparable at the SF level), or even Ralph Fiennes in "The English Patient"? Do they, as well as other actors, seem more sensual because of the roles or because of their natural personalities and abilities as an actor?

In "LOTR" , as well as in "Hidalgo" , the characters Viggo played were not meant to be sensual. Aragorn was noble, wise, restrained, moral, and also dark and mysterious, but not in the way that Anakin is. "Sensual" is defined as "arousing or preoccupied with gratification of the senses or appetites; carnal...also lacking in moral restraints; worldly; materialistic; irreligious." Aragorn faces temptation and is able to walk away from it or overcome it and rise to his calling, never compromising what he believes in and has sworn an oath to. Yes, he is put into some romantic situations, but I wouldn't say that he comes across as "sensual" in them.

One can still be dark and mysterious without being sensual, IMO.

I haven't scene "The English Patient" so I wouldn't know what you are speaking of there.

I'm sure that Viggo can be a little sensual as a person...I don't know too many actors that aren't,... except for Hayden... he seems like a pretty level-headed guy (yet he can pull off sensual like no other!).

But to answer your question, I think that it just depends on the role and the particular actor in that role. And most of us only really "know" what an actor is like in "real" life from what we read and see in interviews...and that's not all reality either .

-AnakinsLuv