Wednesday, January 31, 2007

A leading question

Took the day off to go shopping for birthday pressies (had two people to buy for: one sorted, one not so much). I quickly abandoned shopping and went to see Blood Diamond. There were 5 other people in the cinema - luckily there was one party of four, so the usual radius of 12 rows free around each individual/group still held. Because a person needs her space. And the ticket guy asked if I had a student card. Bless...

Anyway, my point is that is was fabulous to see Djimon Hounsou in a proper meaty role, rather than getting to play, you know, Lara Croft's little helper. I wonder what the rationale is for nominating him in the category of supporting actor rather than lead: the two roles seemed pretty equally weighed. Are there rules for distinguishing supporting roles from leading; is it like boats and ships?

I wonder...

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

Wikipedia tells it like it is: "A boat can fit on a ship, but a ship can't fit on a boat". Now with a slight accent, you could imagine it as: "A goat can fit in a sheep, but a sheep can't fit in a goat". This is odd but far, far more intriguing...

Orlaith said...

Thanks; all becomes clear! And that line could have been worked in to Blood Diamond...

Sean said...

Also saw Blood Diamond last night; very good film (a few slightly mawkish bits, but minimal). Your man Djimoun Hounsou was indeed excellent - as was Di Caprio. Pity he didnt say "not yet......not yet" though, like he did in Gladiator :-)

Orlaith said...

Oh that could have been worked in easily. AND in one of his outbursts we could have squodged in a quote from Constantine. Yes indeed, there could have been far more intertextuality.

Between The Departed and this, Di Caprio is surely going home with an Oscar this year.

Anonymous said...

They say not. The Hollywood set seem to think that he may have to earn his stripes (ie he's too young!) before they hand him the gong!! Its a harsh world out there.

Orlaith said...

Sheesh! Hollywood with its kooky systeme of awards...

There's a good article on all the winning speeches here:

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/01/30/movies/awardsseason/30than.html

Orlaith said...

Hmm let's try that link again:

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/01/30/
movies/awardsseason/30than.html