"The Crossing"

Posted by Elaine on January 12, 2000 at 09:32:38:

In Reply to: Re: who was Martin? & posted by Clabert on January 12, 2000 at 08:07:56:

: : : I didn't get to see The Crossing, but in defense of Jeff Daniels, in general, he's not really a bad actor. He was my favorite part of the movie, Gettysburg. I loved him as Chamberlain. I've seen him do a lot of things that I thought were pretty good, including an interesting Woody Allen film, the Purple Rose of Cairo, and a kinda spooky thing with Demi (ugh) Moore. But I always think of him as "Flap" from Terms of Endearment. (He didn't just start out with D&D, by any means.)

: : : I can't say I can actually picture him as Washington, but if I get the opportunity, I'd like to check it out.

: : : MMMM

: : Marcia, once again I whole heartedly agree with your comments. I LOVED Jeff Daniels as Chamberlain in Gettysburg! AND I too always think of him as Flap in Terms of Endearment. That movie and Steel Magnolias are my favorites to pull out on a dreary Sunday afternoon when I need to get a good cry out.

: : I didn't get to see "The Crossing", but had my Mom tape it and am looking forward to seeing it this weekend!!

: : Diana
: ________________________________________

: That`s funny because the whole time I was watching The Crossing, I was thinking of Chamberlain, and very much so when he raised his sword and sounded that the army will "ADVANCE!!!". I was so empressed with his roll as Chamberlain that I almost found myself cheering for the Yankies.

: Clabert from Texas who had family that fought on both side at Gettysburg.

*******

I don't think Jeff Daniels is a bad actor at all. Thought he was VERY good as Chamberlain - endeared Chamberlain and his 'cause' somewhat with his sensitive, gentle portrayal. Never did see 'Dumb & Dumber' & don't expect I will so that wasn't an influencing factor for me. I just don't find Jeff Daniels to be a strong enough actor to carry the lead role of a great man in a powerful drama. Washington was a complex man under enormous stress during a powerfully tumultuous era. He bore the burden of either bringing an infant nation to victorious independence or losing EVERYTHING in crushing defeat, which they were within a breath of doing. Commanding a rag-tag army, ill prepared and lacking necessary provisions, against the greatest military power in the world was quite a formidable task. To say Washington faced critical crises EVERY day would be an understatement. The urgency for a victory by the Continental Army, knowing they could no longer continue a policy of retreat, just days away from the expiration of terms of service by many of his troops, facing the great fighting Hessians ... that's seriously weighty business. Survival for the American rebellion was now or never, do or die. There was no tomorrow if they failed today. Did anyone FEEL that urgency in Daniels' portrayal?
I couldn't. He was a nice Washington, but never a 'great' Washington. His sporadic moments of emotional indignation and anger fell flat, unbelievable. Sorry - nice guys don't win wars!

The supporting cast, on the other hand, was very good. (Was the actor who played 'Mercer' the nephew of Ebenezer Scrooge in George C. Scott's 'Christmas Carol'?)

At any rate, still appreciated seeing "The Crossing."

Follow Ups:

• Re: "The Crossing" MMMMarcia 10:30:07 1/12/2000 (4)
  • Re: "The Crossing" Sarah M. 20:07:08 1/13/2000 (2)
    • Speaking of Sam... Diana 07:04:26 1/14/2000 (1)
      • Re: Speaking of Sam... Dana S. 12:00:31 1/14/2000 (0)
  • Re: "The Crossing" Dana S. 14:20:16 1/12/2000 (0)

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Comments:
: : : : I didn't get to see The Crossing, but in defense of Jeff Daniels, in general, he's not really a bad actor.  He was my favorite part of the movie, Gettysburg.  I loved him as Chamberlain.  I've seen him do a lot of things that I thought were pretty good, including an interesting Woody Allen film, the Purple Rose of Cairo, and a kinda spooky thing with Demi (ugh) Moore. But I always think of him as "Flap" from Terms of Endearment.  (He didn't just start out with D&D, by any means.) 

: : : : I can't say I can actually picture him as Washington, but if I get the opportunity, I'd like to check it out.  

: : : : MMMM 

: : : Marcia, once again I whole heartedly agree with your comments. I LOVED Jeff Daniels as Chamberlain in Gettysburg! AND I too always think of him as Flap in Terms of Endearment. That movie and Steel Magnolias are my favorites to pull out on a dreary Sunday afternoon when I need to get a good cry out.

: : : I didn't get to see "The Crossing", but had my Mom tape it and am looking forward to seeing it this weekend!!

: : : Diana
: : ________________________________________

: : That`s funny because the whole time I was watching The Crossing, I was thinking of Chamberlain, and very much so when he raised his sword and sounded that the army will "ADVANCE!!!". I was so empressed with his roll as Chamberlain that I almost found myself cheering for the Yankies.

: : Clabert from Texas who had family that fought on both side at Gettysburg.

: *******

: I don't think Jeff Daniels is a bad actor at all. Thought he was VERY good as Chamberlain - endeared Chamberlain and his 'cause' somewhat with his sensitive, gentle portrayal. Never did see 'Dumb & Dumber' & don't expect I will so that wasn't an influencing factor for me. I just don't find Jeff Daniels to be a strong enough actor to carry the lead role of a great man in a powerful drama. Washington was a complex man under enormous stress during a powerfully tumultuous era. He bore the burden of either bringing an infant nation to victorious independence or losing EVERYTHING in crushing defeat, which they were within a breath of doing. Commanding a rag-tag army, ill prepared and lacking necessary provisions, against the greatest military power in the world was quite a formidable task. To say Washington faced critical crises EVERY day would be an understatement. The urgency for a victory by the Continental Army, knowing they could no longer continue a policy of retreat, just days away from the expiration of terms of service by many of his troops, facing the great fighting Hessians ... that's seriously weighty business. Survival for the American rebellion was now or never, do or die. There was no tomorrow if they failed today. Did anyone FEEL that urgency in Daniels' portrayal? 
: I couldn't. He was a nice Washington, but never a 'great' Washington. His sporadic moments of emotional indignation and anger fell flat, unbelievable. Sorry - nice guys don't win wars!

: The supporting cast, on the other hand, was very good. (Was the actor who played 'Mercer' the nephew of Ebenezer Scrooge in George C. Scott's 'Christmas Carol'?)

: At any rate, still appreciated seeing "The Crossing."


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