Monday, July 23, 2007

Chicken or Egg

I was on the subway with Martha Plimpton recently. I adore Martha Plimpton, which is funny because when I told people about having seen her, I could only remember two things I'd seen her in. Most recent was an episode of Law & Order, a series I think generally gets things right, but her episode, specifically her work in it, raised the bar significantly. I think she's amazing, and probably would think so from that episode alone.




I had to behave of course, I didn't want to make her nervous, but I wanted to stare at her. I guess conventional standards might not identify her as pretty, but I could watch her face for days. I couldn't even tell you what it is about it. Is there just some sort of liveliness or charisma that shines through? Is she so in tune with her instrument, channel, muse, talent, or just her humanity that it has a physical effect on her? Does she know she's doing it, whatever it is? And if she does, was it something she was born knowing, or did she have to learn it? Is she a successful actor because of this undefined ability, or did success create it somehow?




3 comments:

Eric said...

Hey Patrick,
I love reading your blog. All of it! I love the picture of you from MSND. Gads, but that was a long time ago. My 20th reunion is coming up this year. Unfortunately, I won't be able to make it.

Hopefully I'll be able to get over to NYC again soon.

Anonymous said...

If you figure it out, let me know. They did this experiment once where they stuck one of the world's best violinest (tickets are $500+ to see him) in a subway station and had him play for spare change. Only three people stopped and I think he made $8.00 or so. I sometimes wonder if it is the person on the frame of celebrity that makes said person glow. Probably the person, but I keep hoping that all I'm missing is the proper frame. ;)

Unknown said...

Its interesting...
I was actually thinking about this very same thing last night watching the various wonderful musicians at the Estro benefit. Some were good technically, and generally lovely, others had an openness that translated into real beauty/comedy/presence (both men and women) and I was wondering if it is simply the charm of watching someone do what they do well....or if there is an embedded difference in the inner freedom of exceptional performers.

Hmmmm...kind of a tangent - anyway...
I liked the study thing Kate.

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