What do y'all think of Antonio Banderas?- Page 2

[Lavieboheme3090]

Posted: 7/13/05 at 5:11pm

Nine is one of my favorite recordings, it dosen't get old.

[robbiej]

Posted: 7/13/05 at 5:19pm

Of course there are 'ifs ands or buts'.

Anyone who puts quote marks around the word performance regarding what Harvey did in HAIRSPRAY simply has no concept of how difficult his task actually was. And how beautifully and effortlessly he pulled it off.

[munkustrap178]

Posted: 7/13/05 at 5:39pm

To me, he was playing himself.

Regardless of how effortless Harvey's performance seemed, it was no more or less effortless and beautiful than Antonio's - both were fantastic - but Antonio's task was incredibly more difficult - as his material was more challenging. So let's just say both actors were deserving - Antonio's challenge was far greater.

[robbiej]

Posted: 7/13/05 at 5:58pm

I agree both were wonderful...but I don't agree that the challenge was greater for Banderas. They both faced different challenges. Vocally? Hands down, it goes to Banderas. It's a bear of a role for anyone. But the challenge put before Harvey Fierstein was making an entire audience believe he was the mother of a chubby girl from Maryland. And it had to be done with honesty. I've encountered the challenge of playing a woman...not a drag queen or tranny...but a woman. It's thrilling and very difficult. If you are not 100% committed to making the audience believe in you as a woman, you are sunk.

Harvey may not have great 'range', whatever that may mean. And one could argue that playing a Latin lover facing midlife is not all that much of a stretch for Banderas. But it doesn't matter...the quality of both performances were beyond reproach and I would not have wanted to have to choose between the two.

If I had to, I probably would have gone with Banderas, myself. But I have to recognize the brilliant artistry displayed by Fierstein.