unpopular fannish opinion

[scarfman]

One of the criticisms I've seen levelled at the STAR WARS prequels in general and at Attack of the Clones in particular is that Anakin's recitals of the offenses against him sound like the suburban high school quarterback bitching the coach has benched him; rather than, presumably, sounding identifiably like the paranoid ravings of a future villain of historical proportions. Usually this is presented as a judgment against Christensen's performance. But I look at the directions our society's heading these days, and the people taking it there; and I wonder whether Christensen wasn't directed that way because it's exactly what Lucas wanted to say.

Comments

[athelind.livejournal.com]

I tend to "blame" Lucas's direction for any perceived failings of the actors in the prequels; every last one of them has shown exceptional ability in most of their other appearances.

I like your interpretation, though: Lucas deliberately highlighting the BANALITY of evil, the petty selfishness and the sense of entitlement.

Maybe it was an attempt to thwart the Cult of Cool that Vader, like most impressive villains, had formed. "Look inside this brooding, ominous figure, and you'll find a whiny teenager. No WONDER you can relate to him."

[sabremeister]

Is there a transcript of the scene(s) somewhere? The film has not stuck in my mind all that well.

[blinovitch.livejournal.com]

If I felt Lucas had any directing ability, contravening the general wisdom that he lacks any notable skill working with actors, I could buy your interpretation.

[ianmcin.livejournal.com]

Ah, but in a way, Lucas' lack of directing ability kind of speaks to Paul's point. If this was Lucas' intent, and he had any directing ability, it probably would have been easier to see in the actual film.

[fisher-queen.livejournal.com]

INTERESTING. Gives me a bit more respect for Lucas when I consider it that way actually and as an Anakin fan...I'm intrigued.

[raven-mcbain.livejournal.com]

That is a very intresting thought. I've personally never bothered to look that deep into the films because i find them surface value and shallow, but looking at it this way it kinda makes sense.