The acting choices Rhys makes here…
I love that Stede continues to gaze at the red silk he’s placed in Ed’s pocket as he muses on its fineness.
When he states, “You wear fine things…” he raises his eyebrows. Coupled with a slight smile, it becomes an affiliative expression, gaining the trust of the listener. It demonstrates empathy too, and signals a desire for stronger emotional or social bonding.
Then there’s the sudden flick of his eyes upwards to meet Ed’s to deliver the ‘well’, with the stress, importantly, on that word. Because it’s not just about the fine thing itself, but the wellness with which Ed wears it, enabling it to become an even finer thing.
The smile then becomes just a little wider, but not so much that it might signal duplicity or pretence. And there’s a slight lowering of the chin at the end, to emphasise the gentleness of the interaction, whilst continuing to hold Ed’s gaze, reinforcing the sincerity of the words.
Stede’s timbre is significant too. “Look at that!” which proceeds it, is slightly higher-pitched and excitable. But the delivery of “You wear fine things well,” is steady and smooth, and quiet yet powerful, in its honesty and intent.
The entire thing smacks of sincerity, and the delivery demonstrates the emotional truths and kindness behind it. Without Rhys’ nonverbal cues and gestures, the line could so easily have fallen flat, or sounded artificial.
And what’s more, Rhys manages to play the scene in such a way that suggests, without doubt, that Stede has no idea of the beauty and importance of what he is doing.
No wonder Ed is rendered speechless, and his heart can do nothing more than thunk right out of his chest.
It’s so subtle yet powerful, and it’s perfect, and Rhys Darby is a genius.