I don’t know how movie viewing works for you. For me it seems that some actresses and actors were born to play certain characters. Some individuals have provided an array of incredible performances. It is impossible to tie them to one film.
But for other individuals, a hear a person’s name and a certain character comes immediately to mind. The person may or may not have won an award for the role – or even been considered for an award for the performance. They may have compiled an impressive body of work over the years.
In other instances, I hear a character’s name and a person comes to mind. Other people may have played the character in remakes – or reboots of a series or franchise (think Batman or Star Trek). But there is one person who is forever tied to the character, at least for me.
Both ways it can happen. Characters and performers forever intertwined. For example:
- Harold Hill – Robert Preston
- Forest Whitaker – Idi Amin
- Sally Fields – Norma Rae
- Audrey Tautou – Amelie
- Billie Holiday – Diana Ross
Alec Guinness had a superb career, but when I hear his name – George Smiley appears before me.
And when I hear George Smiley, I think of Alec Guinness.
I watched the 2011 version of Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy today.
Guiness and Smiley will remain intertwined.
But, dang, Gary Oldman can act!
Do you experience this phenomenon? If so, who would you name?
See you along the Trail.
The 
