David Brent; life on the road.

[jonny jeez]

This is not just a character he plays though. This is a character he co-wrote.

So what.

 

[jonny jeez]

Maybe so but Merchant didn't write himself a character in it.

Again, so what?

Here's a clue...do you think that Sylvester Stallone actually is Rocky?

 

[John the Monkey]

I've never got on with his TV comedy either, personally.

He's one of those actors I have a blindspot for, like Russell Crowe or Nic Cage. Whilst I've liked the occasional thing that they've appeared in, for the most part, I find them enjoyment kryptonite, and watch people I enjoy seeing on screen instead.

 

[jonny jeez]

That it is in part self portrayal.

I would ask again...so what?

To save time, it doesn't matter how much the "part" is, its not a biography, its not the person.

I cant believe you are defending a view that actors, writers and artists ARE the personalities that they create. Worse still that they should be judged by the characters that they create.

I am genuinely stunned by the people who are actually defending this view.

They're pretending, its make believe...they don't really all live in Albert Square or Coronation street... or Slough

 

[jonny jeez]

I cannot believe that you are unaware of the idea that artistic portrayal encompasses a range. Some portrayal is pure, the actor being nothing like the character. Some is barely portrayal at all, the part is the actor getting paid for being themself.
I am of the opinion that Gervais portraying Brent sits more toward one end than the other, and that the character as written by Gervais contains lots of elements of Gervais' own character.

I get that Adrian but continue that logic.

You watch a performer portray a character, it contains "many" of their personal traits...on the basis of that performance, are you telling me that you are prepared to judge the performers whole life story, their personality...their entire self?

From what I see of your postings and character in the flesh...I just cant believe you would be so superficial.

 

[jonny jeez]

I am of the opinion the Gervais has written Brent to be an exaggerated portrayal of himself which he hides behind.

I share that opinion, I think may performers, especially comedians, do the same.

I am thinking here of the likes of Robin Williams, Stephen Fry and perhaps even going back to Hancock.

but how does that lead to the formation of an opinion on them as people.

 

[jonny jeez]

Well, if the character is a partial portrayal of the person, it is a dull mirror with which to show them.

to show them what?

 

[Deleted member 26715]

[QUOTE 4431828, member: 76"]Are your opinions based upon your personal knowledge of Ricky Gervais?[/QUOTE]
Is yours?

I find it quite incredible that YOU are allowed to have your opinions, yet we are not, I have no objections to you thinking he is the next best thing to sliced bread, I do not & no matter how much cajoling you try to assert, you will not change my mind.

George Clooney
Cary Grant
Audrey Hepburn
Micheal Caine
Bruce lee

This is total & utter misdirection, we are not discussing any of the above, my feelings on any of them is irrelevant, or for that matter anyone else on the planet, the solar system or the universe, we are talking about Ricky Gervias, I do not deny you are right to like him, you can go worship at the altar of Brent if you wish, (which I suspect Gervais has somewhere in his house). But I do not like him & whether you like it or not as we live in a sudo-democracy I am allowed to express those feelings.

 

[jonny jeez]

The character.

They know the character, they wrote it, they perform it.

whether it is based loosely or largely on their own personality, you will likely never know. Yet you believe you do. To use your own metaphor, it doesn't matter how dull or sharp a reflection the character is...its NOT THEM.

 

[jonny jeez]

What, not at all?

Not All

 

[jonny jeez]

Excellent so some then. At last we get get somewhere in this ludicrous teeth pulling exercise.

Adrian, don't try to claim some sort of victory here. You are defending a superficial attitude to judging people.

I don't and have never, in this discussion claimed that Gervais or any performer does not bring aspects of their personality into a performance or character...its called acting.

You are arguing that the character IS them, in entirety and you only defence so far seems to be built on the ridiculous assertion that if their role contains any of their own personality then it cant be that they are just acting...it has to be what they are like in real life

we have not moved on at all I'm afraid. If anything, I think you are going backwards.

 

[jonny jeez]

[QUOTE 4432270, member: 45"]The Many Faces of Ricky Gervais:

The Office
Gervais as Brent - Bite the Bottom Lip and Stare at the Camera

Extras
Gervais as Andy - Bite the Bottom Lip
Gervais as his sitcom character - The Gurn
Guest Stars Directed by Gervais - Bite the Bottom Lip

Life's too Short
Gervais - Bite the Bottom Lip and Stare at the Camera
Davis - Bite the Bottom Lip and Stare at the Camera

Derek
Gervais - The Gurn[/QUOTE]
Ok. What's your point?

 

[MontyVeda]

Ok. What's your point?

he's watched everything Gervais has done and has spotted a pattern?

 

[potsy]

Ricky Gervais makes Jimmy Carr look like a comic genius...

Jimmy Carr is a comic genius, oh wait no, I'm thinking of Alan Carr

 

[potsy]

I used to quite like some of his stuff, Extras was probably my favourite, The Office was hit and miss, Derek I really struggled with, could not work out if he was laughing at or with the main character.

Can not imagine there being a film of Brent though, I doubt I'll be going to see it.