:: Captain's Personal Blog ::

Stardate: Thursday, May 20, 2004

Open Letter To Amy Acker:

As that our other blog, Jossolalia has been out of publication since the end of last year, I am posting this here. While I'm sure that this message will probably not be read my Amy herself, it will contain points which I would like to share with all. I would also like to post about the series finale of ANGEL, but that will wait for another time.

Of all the actors on ANGEL, and there was some phenomenal acting on display on that show, AMY ACKER stands as the greatest of them all. Now, with any critique of an actor's work, you have to take into account the work of the writers. I have done that. The writers on ANGEL are also excellent, but again, there are some things that just aren't written and these are the things that are attributable to AMY.

Examining the character of FRED over time, she started out as a true acting exercise. Compressing manic fear and paranoia with humor and a serious sense of intelligence, cunning and even a bit of self-control into one personality is hard. Especially when you have to maintain such a delicate balance. Over the slow process of FRED's growing into a more 'normal' person (the trademark 'take-your-time' growing process we have come to know and love in all of JOSS WHEDON'S shows) this cacophony of mixed emotions and desires began to become tempered by a sense of security and belonging.

FRED'S relationship with GUNN was a pivotal part of this 'coming-of-age' and was again played with execptional attention to these layers. J. August Richards was certainly good in providing his share of emotional angst, but AMY still had to keep up a small mix of that 'earlier FRED' which made it all the more challenging.

AMY kept her acting skills sharp during the continuing run of ANGEL, and then truly began to shine in this, their last season.

Being thrust into a position of greater responsibility was a little awkward for FRED, but she slowly grew into the position, even winning the favor of the new kid on the block, SPIKE. AMY again balanced the shyness of FRED with a sense of growing responsibility to stunning effect. But even this was miniscule compared to what was to come next.

AMY had the opportunity to do something which has been a bit rare in the BUFFY-VERSE. She had a proper death scene. One in which her character could say good-bye (even if she didn't ACTUALLY say that.) In that final episode, AMY ran the emotional gambit, and brought us into the sadness of FRED'S final moments. To me, it ranks among the most emotional moments in the history of the BUFFY-VERSE. Again, kudos go to the writing staff, but it was AMY who brought those words to life and gave them their true emotional core.

Then came the coup de grace. ILLYRIA. In that one character, AMY was able to show us how she had us completely fooled. Most people believe that Sarah Michelle Gellar is a lot like Buffy. That Alyson Hannigan is a lot like Willow. That David Boreanaz is a lot like Angel (well, not so much with the biting, but that there are at least SOME similarities.)

AMY's performance of ILLYRIA was mesmorizing beyond compare. Granted, she looked great with the blue-ish hair, the outfit and those cool eyes. But just when you thought THAT was what made our FRED seem to be completely different, AMY shocked the truth into us. In "THE GIRL IN QUESTION," AMY returns to more familiar ground as FRED. Every once in a while, however, she reverts back to the ILLYRIA personality. For once, there is no CGI eye-changing or even a morph to give her head the blue hue. Nope, not for this girl.

Instead, with a cock of the head and a change of voice (and a myriad of other intricacies) AMY brings ILLYRIA across loud and clear. It was incredible. The performance was flawless, and kudos isn't even a remotely strong enough word to convey the praise that should be heaped upon our AMY ACKER. A credit to the profession, she has raised the bar of acting (in this genere in particular). I wish her well on all her future pursuits.

J

P.S. For some reason, this entry has taken 3 days to get together, if that should give you any indication of how busy I have been.

J
:: J 6:03 PM [+] ::
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