Jason Robards: An Acting Lesson by a Master

Wow, what an acting lesson I just witnessed!  For those of you have already seen All the President's Men (which I am sure includes everyone on the planet), I am sorry for being slightly late to the party but better late than never. 

Last night, I rented the classic film starring Dustin Hoffman and Robert Redford as the famed journalistic team, Bernstein and Woodward who helped to expose Nixon and his involvement in the Watergate scandal. 

I must say, I was blown away.  The writing was fantastic but most surprisingly, I assumed, since I'm a fan of both Hoffman and Redford, that I would be most likely impressed by their performances. 

However, I think I just received an Acting 101 lesson by watching another legendary actor create magic in this film.  If acting students in schools across the nation, are not required to watch this movie, it should be mandatory for one reason and one reason only: Jason Robards. 

And it looks like, while clearly late to the party, my instincts aren't too shabby since Robards did win an Academy Award for his part in this movie.  I know that Jason Robards has long been regarded as one of the greatest actors of our time even since his passing, but I must confess, that because he is really before my time, somehow I missed most of the films he was in.  I did see him in Something Wicked This Way Comes, but I don't think that qualifies somehow. 

In All the President's Men, Jason Robards plays the Benjamin C. Bradlee, Managing Editor  and then Executive Editor of the Washington Post (from 1965 to 1991)- a period highlighted by the paper's exposure of the Watergate scandal.  Although he has much less screen time than the the two young hot shots, Redford and Hoffman, I was riveted, could not take my eyes off the screen when he spoke. 

[photo :Bradlee, Woodward and Berstein 2005]
In most scenes, he sits, legs up on the desk, stone-faced and very intimidating.  I would love to know if the 'feet on the desk ' was his choice as an actor or a direction but it so works!  Most effective is that when Robards speaks, as Bradlee, he is perfectly still, not even even an eyebrow twitches.  His eyes glare formidably and his words are filled with the life of the weight of the unfolding drama. 

I never thought that I would ever say that performances by Hoffman and Redford pale in comparison, but the performances by Hoffman and Redford pale in comparison.  There I said it!  Wow, an actor must be fantastic to get me to say that as I am very biased since these are my two favorite guys. 

Most effective is that he plays the arc of this character so, so beautifully.  He never cracks or even reveals the slightest levity or wink or smile until midway through the movie nearing the climax, when Bernstein and Woodward show up at Bradlee's house in the middle of the night after "Deep Throat" reveals that their lives are in danger.  It is at this point, Bradlee, knowing that this story is going to break wide open and that his men are finally in possession of the cold, hard facts, he smiles. Then shortly after he says something to the effect of, don't screw up again.

I cannot imagine anyone else having played this part which is the highest form of praise.  I may just watch again with the remote control in one hand and a notepad in the other as I rewind and play Robards' scenes repeatedly. 

What an absolutely consummate actor he was.  I am privileged to at least have seen him in All the President's Men, late or not.

-- Heather Langone

Comments

[Paul]

Jason Robards is definitley one of the best. Watching master crafstmen like him alway smake me think about what kind of acting school's they attended. A good acting school is worth it’s weight in gold. The key is to find one that caters to your individual needs. Not only do you need the basic tools for auditioning, scene study and the like, but you need a curriculum that works with whatever your schedule may be. Whether you work all day, go to high school or care for your kids, not everyone can study in the traditional way. Another acting program that works this way is Film Connection. http://www.film-connection.com/Acting.html The Film Connection's acting program is affiliated with Joe Anthony studios and fetures valuable one-on-one mentoring. They are also available to anyone living in the United States and have financial aid assisatnce.

[acting coach hollywood]

jason robalds is certainly a figure to look up to in the industry. He wouldn't win consecutive Oscars for nothing :)

- mark thaniel