THE JUDE LAW REVIEW

by Nate Lee

BEST FILM: Closer... Of the romantic films, this superbly taut, basically four-person drama works on so many levels, all of them charged with Law’s character’s selfish longing. Enemy at the Gates ... This magnificent epic drama of the struggle between Russia and Germany for Stalingrad comes down to two men who happen to both be the best snipers in all of Europe.

GREAT PERFORMANCES YOU MAY NOT HAVE SEEN:

The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus (one of three fill-ins for Heath Ledger)

The Talented Mr. Ripley (Oscar and Golden Globe-nominated performance of a wealthy, charismatic dilettante)

Enemy at the Gates (Russian sharpshooter fighting the Germans)

Closer (double triangular love affair)

Holiday (opposite Cameron Diaz)

Road to Perdition (a hitman who photographed his victims)

Wilde (spoiled Lord Douglas)

My Blueberry Nights (NY café owner)

Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil

I [Heart] Huckabees

Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow

Sleuth (Milo)  

BLOCKBUSTERS:

Cold Mountain (Oscar and Golden Globe-nominated performance as Confederate deserter Inman)

AI – Artificial Intelligence (robot)

Gattaca

The Aviator (Errol Flynn)

Sherlock Holmes (Dr. Watson, opposite Robert Downey, Jr.)

THE REAL LAW:

The Talented Mr. Ripley...

His breakout role in “Mr. Ripley” showed us a Jude Law that nobody could get enough of, one that was so charming and charismatic, and a little selfish and manipulative, that not unlike Matt Damon’s Ripley, we just want to be with him, or, barring that, to be him. 

ACTING STYLE:

Charm. Jude has the looks and voice for period pieces – classical but unique on both counts – but it’s his (looks and) charm that makes his romantic comedies so mesmerizingly memorable. Jude makes us care; makes us know he cares.  

BITS AND QUIRKS:

The fashion pose, often with hands in pockets, playing the debonair. A slouch and lean forward. Falsely timid or modest smile. Also, like the best of the Brits, he can act with just his voice.  

GREAT SCENES:

CLOSER -

The hospital scene with Natalie Portman > The garden scene > Flirting with Julia Roberts in her studio > Breaking up with Portman

ENEMY AT THE GATES -  

The secret “rendezvous” with Rachel Weisz > All of the sniper scenes, particularly at the end when he confronts Ed Harris directly > Meeting the journalist Joseph Fiennes

HOLIDAY -

Meeting Cameron Diaz when he’s drunk > Introducing her to his daughters > The good-bye

THE TALENTED MR. RIPLEY -

Singing with Matt Damon > The argument with Matt

THE ROAD TO PERDITION -

Photographing the not-quite-yet dead corpse > Creepy face-to-face with Tom Hanks in the café > The shootout with Hanks

MY BLUEBERRY NIGHTS -

Calling every grill in Memphis (from New York City), trying to find Norah Jones

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