The Curious Case of Peter Dinklage

[Spinal]

While watching the mostly tiresome and creepy Prince Caspian, I was struck once again by how excellent an actor Peter Dinklage is. I don't think there is any question that he is by far the greatest dwarf film actor we have ever seen. But by relegating him to that category, are we (pardon the expression) selling him short? Where does he rank for you in terms of best actors working today? Or is it too difficult to judge because of the niche roles to which he is so often assigned? I think there's no question that he would have an acting career at any height, which, with all due respect, is not something I would say about Warwick Davis, Verne Troyer or Billy Barty.

I really need to see The Station Agent.

[Ezee E]

Station Agent is probably his best role, but he even landed a "normal" part in Find Me Guilty.

[B-side]

Heh. "Dinklage".

[Boner M]

He's awesome in Elf too.

I thought he was in In Bruges until I looked up his page a moment ago. I guess that makes me a dwarfist.

[Spinal]

He's awesome in Elf too.



Totally. And he's probably the best part of Living in Oblivion.

"I don't even have dreams with dwarves in them!" :lol:

[B-side]

Come on, his last name has to make you smile at least a little. No? Well, fine.

[Russ]

I don't think there is any question that he is by far the greatest dwarf film actor we have ever seen.
I have yet to see any of Mr. Dinklage's work. However, it's hard for me to imagine anyone surpassing the great Michael Dunn (also Oscar-nominated for Ship of Fools). Regardless of stature, he was a fantastic actor, tho his most memorable work was in the medium of television.

http://i187.photobucket.com/albums/x9/blackcanary2000/dunncigarship.jpg

Dunn was probably best remembered for his appearance on the original Star Trek series as Alexander in the episode, Plato's Stepchildren.

http://img188.imageshack.us/img188/5332/michaeldunn.jpg

For my money, tho, he was one of the all-time great classic villians as Dr. Miguelito Loveless on the original Wild Wild West television series.

http://img101.imageshack.us/img101/6748/11744162711.jpg

[Boner M]

Dinklage is in some awful-looking new Aussie romcom that I keep seeing posters of around town.

http://www.tvauscast.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/I-Love-You-Too1.jpg

*sigh*

Dinklagesploitation continues.

[Winston*]

He's going to have a really good role in the new HBO Game of Thrones series, so maybe that balances out rubbish Australian comedy.

[Spinal]

Ah, I cannot say that I am familiar with Mr. Dunn, Russ. I'll have to check out his work.

[monolith94]

Well, you know what they say, Spinal - there are no small parts, only small actors.

[Kurosawa Fan]

I would like to reiterate that you NEED to watch The Station Agent as soon as possible.

[MadMan]

The Station Agent is very, very good and I liked it alot. Plus he was very funny in Elf. I think that's all I've seen from him.

[Fezzik]

He's going to have a really good role in the new HBO Game of Thrones series, so maybe that balances out rubbish Australian comedy.

I absolutely cannot wait to see his take on Tyrion. Its actually the highlight of the casting for me, and the casting overall was very good to begin with.

[Wryan]

I would like to reiterate that you NEED to watch The Station Agent as soon as possible.

Yeah thirded, or fourthed or whatever. Great.

[Fezzik]

Yeah thirded, or fourthed or whatever. Great.

me too

er...rather, yeah what they said :)

[Spinal]

I'm going to wait until it gets up to 25. Then, and only then, will I watch it.

[Sycophant]

That's probably doable. Sixthed! or whatever.

[Qrazy]

The Station Agent was mediocre. Don't waste your time.

[B-side]

The Station Agent was mediocre. Don't waste your time.

c-c-c-combo breaker!

I haven't seen it.

[Kurosawa Fan]

The Station Agent was mediocre. Don't waste your time.

If this doesn't clinch it for you, I don't know what will.

[Wryan]

If this doesn't clinch it for you, I don't know what will.

An extra rec for every letter in his name!

EDIT: In all seriousness, tho, since this is a Dinklage thread, we could argue that we're reccing it for his performance, which is extremely terrific. The movie on the whole is also quite good, tho.

[D_Davis]

I liked the Station Agent, too.

[Grouchy]

He was not the In Bruges midget? What was it, his twin brother?

[Raiders]

Easily confused with other little people apparently.

Can you imagine how black dwarfs must feel??? :sad:

[Qrazy]

An extra rec for every letter in his name!

EDIT: In all seriousness, tho, since this is a Dinklage thread, we could argue that we're reccing it for his performance, which is extremely terrific. The movie on the whole is also quite good, tho.

This is true, his performance was good. The film as a whole felt a bit by the indie numbers though.

[Wryan]

This is true, his performance was good. The film as a whole felt a bit by the indie numbers though.

I hope at least that you don't begrudge Patricia Clarkson for being Patricia Clarkson. :(

[Qrazy]

I hope at least that you don't begrudge Patricia Clarkson for being Patricia Clarkson. :(

I don't recall if I begrudged her that at the time... so I'm going to go with no I don't begrudge her that... but I reserve the right to begrudge her at a later date.

[Derek]

I hope at least that you don't begrudge Patricia Clarkson for being Patricia Clarkson. :(

Mildly annoying every minute she's on screen? It kind of works here, but most of the time I'm simply mildly annoyed by her.

[Wryan]

Mildly annoying every minute she's on screen? It kind of works here, but most of the time I'm simply mildly annoyed by her.

That's too bad. But ah well.

EDIT: Yay for disliking Gunga Din though.

[DavidSeven]

I remember seeing this thread five days ago and thinking to myself, "I should check out The Station Agent." Then I realized just now that I already saw it.

Uh, yeah, a completely forgettable film -- in the literal sense. Still, I think it says quite a lot about Dinklage's talents as an actor (of any height) when I can actually forget having seen a film anchored by a dwarf. He's good enough to make you forget when he's being used as a gimmick.

[Wryan]

He's good enough to make you forget when he's being used as a gimmick.

But the role wasn't written for a midg, tho I'm sure the scene at the bar was added/improvised a bit.

[Derek]

But the role wasn't written for a midg, tho I'm sure the scene at the bar was added/improvised a bit.

Yeah, I'm not sure what makes it a gimmick unless you'd prefer no one acknowledged he was a little person and he was just depressed for some other reason.

[DavidSeven]

Bad choice of words on my part. I guess what I was trying to say was that it probably would have felt like a gimmick with a less capable actor. Dinklage is good enough to make the film feel completely natural, even forgettable.

[Spinal]

Dwarf tossing is currently the #1 search on Yahoo. Nicely done, Peter.

[MadMan]

Spinal did you ever watch The Station Agent? I saw it again late night on TV last month, and I still liked it a lot.

[number8]

Dwarf tossing is currently the #1 search on Yahoo. Nicely done, Peter.

Yeah, he rose awareness for that case in a most classy way. Well done.

Proud to have him in my sig.

[[ETM]]

Why am I not surprised that Match-cut has a Dinklage awareness thread pre-GOT? These are the things you come back here for, every day.:pritch:

[Derek]

Dwarf tossing is currently the #1 search on Yahoo. Nicely done, Peter.

Actually, Warwick Davis deserves credit for that:

bpMRp1B_HT4

[Thirdmango]

He was quite good in the first Death at a Funeral. Of course he played the exact same role in the american version but I didn't see that one so I don't know how his playing of the roles compares.

[MadMan]

I don't think they changed his role in the Americanized version at all, although I will admit I haven't seen the original, just the remake. The remake made me laugh my ass off in theaters, but I can't imagine that much was changed aside from the cast and some of the jokes.

[Fezzik]

Yeah, he rose awareness for that case in a most classy way. Well done.

Proud to have him in my sig.

Did he say something about this at the Globes? Wondering about the sudden rise in searches.

[TGM]

Did he say something about this at the Globes? Wondering about the sudden rise in searches.

Yes, he said to look up the name Martin Henderson as he was being played off.

[Mysterious Dude]

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[Yxklyx]

He was not the In Bruges midget? What was it, his twin brother?

Jordan Prentice, a *gasp* Canadian. I liked him a lot in that one - one of the more memorable roles/parts requiring such stature.