lavender-and-creme replied to your post: I think what makes Iwan good as Ramsay is that he plays him kinda like Andrew Scott did Moriarty in Sherlock BBC. All crazy-eyed and unhinged, it can be quite good at times, and an empty yet pretty shell at others, for Iwan.
I think Iwan was actually more offputting as Simon than as Ramsay. The writing did mess up his character, but at the same time even when Iwan tried looking intimidating it just didn’t feel like enough.
Agreed and
"at the same time even when Iwan tried looking intimidating it just didn’t feel like enough"
I think what makes Iwan good as Ramsay is that he plays him kinda like Andrew Scott did Moriarty in Sherlock BBC. All crazy-eyed and unhinged, it can be quite good at times, and an empty yet pretty shell at others, for Iwan.
Hi anon.
I don’t mind Iwan as Ramsay, but he’s not what I pictured, you know?
I think 50% of my comments regarding his portrayal have to do with the construction of the character. The writing hasn’t paid respect to the source, so it’s slightly a different character. More cardboard cut out than his book counterpart (not his fault clearly). And the other 50% has to do with his acting. I don’t think he’s bad, I think he was ok, but in general he doesn’t inspire fear and creepiness, like book Ramsay did (it’s an image-look thing matched with body language. Not his fault he doesn’t have it). There's still something meh about his portrayal, that has to do with nothing else but his acting. Still is early to give a definitive opinion on it, because most of the Ramsay-Theon storyline happens later on. I just hope they don’t over do it, because at the end of season 3 it felt that way.
And I like Iwan. He was good in Misfits. And I definitely think why they cast him, and why they think he has the elements to portray Ramsay.
lavender-and-creme said: I kind of feel like Alfie pushes himself more than Iwan. Granted Theon is the more demanding role, but something with Iwan as Ramsay feels stilted at times.
I kinda agree. Sometimes I think Alfie could have easily played Ramsay, but I don't think Iwan could have played Theon.
Though I should mention that I've seen Alfie in other things, and I had faith in his improvement because I knew what he could do. But I'm not fully happy, cause I feel he's still capable of more. And I only know Iwan from Misfits, but I haven't watched much more of him.
Now that the season is all wrapped up, I'm curious how did you feel about Alfie Allen and Iwan Rheon's performances and their on-screen chemistry? I thought Iwan overdid it a couple of times but his screen presence was so engaging I didn't mind it much.
Hi anon.
I think their chemistry worked, but it wasn’t as good as I expected to be.
For me, Iwan Rheon nails one part of his character, but not the other. So, it’s really hard to fully find him convincing in his scenes. He doesn’t inspire fear, which is a requirement for the role. He gives you crazy vibes, but not scary vibes. He’s half way there, but I don’t think he’s going to be able to provide all sides of his character, just because he can’t create something he’s not. The on screen presence and the charisma needed for certain roles, it’s just there, or it is not. I agree that he over did it at times. His face expressions went from crazy eyed looking guy, to ridiculous. Like I said before, it’s really easy to fall in ridiculousness and/or a cartoonish performance when playing a bad guy, especially a crazy bad guy, and Rheon went down that path at times.
From the review:
(…)There are a few times this actor can embody his roles, and other times he just can’t. I feel he doesn’t have both parts of the character dominated. He dominates one, and has showed that. The scoffer, and perverted side, he has it. The fear inducing psycho part, I feel he doesn’t. He doesn’t inspire fear. The derision of his character is there, the disturbed part isn’t. So, I can, at times, see him as a really good casting choice, and others not so much. After seeing him, I haven’t changed my mind since his casting was announced. Watching Misfits I knew he would be capable of doing certain parts of his character, but not so much the other. So, leaving that aside. I think this episode provided exactly what he can be good at. And he did a good job. The mocking in his voice, and the crazy eyed look really granted the right feel to his interpretation. It was well done. (…)
Alfie Allen seems good enough, but he doesn’t always have the performance under control. I think he has, previously in this show, over done it at times. But he worked on it later on. I’m still not fully convinced with his performance. It’s either hit or miss, or almost there. I don’t find him good enough, but he can deliver good scenes. For example: In the last scene with Rheon, some of his face expressions were on point, but his performance overall wasn’t as good. It’s really hard for me to express it. I think he has improved, and in the season finale he did as well, but there’s always something missing. Like in the Prince of Winterfell episode, he for most of the episode gave a good performance, but at the end of it, he closed it with a bit of overacting, which totally disappointed me. I think this season he worked around those issues he had, and stepped up. There’s definitely a change, and time will tell if he can play the most broken character in this story, or if he will fall flat. Allen can play the different “stages” of his character, he had enough presence to show weak leadership for a Theon who pretended to be in charge, but whose expectations didn’t meet his qualities; and he can play the weaker side of his character, as Theon is subjected to torture.
From the review:
(…) Allen is sometimes really good for me, and others he’s just ok. Like he’s there, but he doesn’t know how to adjust certain details in order to make his performance amazing or worth the praise (though he has done it before). He can be good, but not amazing. In this episode, he definitely relied on his face expressions, and it was a job done well. I think the look on his face when he’s seeing Ramsay eat the sausage, and when he’s forced to call himself Reek, give you a good idea of why this was a good performance. (…)
Overall I think their work together is ok, but it doesn’t really have anything special about it. I personally don’t finish watching their scenes, and feel “wow these guys really knocked out of the park”. No, unfortunately I think there are details to take care, from individual improvements, to on screen chemistry, to make it what it should be. It’s ok, good at times, but I’m not really that impressed.
Thank you, liked your question! And sorry for the delay.
What did you think of Iwan Rheon's reveal as, well, Ramsay, though they don't name him as such? I thought he overacted a little, looked excessively crazy there.
Hi anon.
Well, I didn’t think so. I guess I’m used to seeing his crazy face, cause that’s the one he used for Misfits.That’s how I assumed he was going to play him anyway. But I understand if it’s not pleasing everybody. Maybe it’s a “too literal” interpretation for you?
It’s more a sadistic face, than a crazy face.
You know what the funniest thing here? That I thought the guy starting the fight with Craster, would have been perfect for Ramsay. His voice was creepy and his looks fit what I imagined him to be like. However I’m willing to see what is Rheon going to do with his character. After all he can play crazy guys.
So it's basically confirmed that Iwan Rhoen will be Ramsay. Are you pleased with the casting? Who else do you think would be good for the part? My personal choice would be Cillian Murphy but I guess he's too famous to do such a small role. Love your tumblr :)
Hi anon.
Basically I’m trying not to jump into conclusions before actually seeing him playing the role. But, I do think he’s capable of playing such role. Still, I can’t really know if he’ll be good or bad, so I think I’ll wait and see.
I find the casting ok, I have no problems with it. But sure, fan casting can give us hope for better actors to take roles like this, and make justice to the character. But, like you said, other actors are maybe too famous, or might want a better pay check to play this role. And also, some of them certainly can’t go to TV after making a career in film. For some actors that’s career suicide. So hmm, Murphy shouldn’t risk it.
For me, Iwan Rheon is not Ramsay in physical terms. I definitely didn’t picture him like a soft, short, and crazy-eyed guy. But hey, I rather have a good actor on the role, than one who looks the part. So I’m willing to let that go, and allow him to prove himself.
And lol, Cillian was also one my favourites for the role! I remember a lot of people felt the same. But I knew he wouldn’t go for this tv show, or that the producers would even get a chance to get him. Though my ultimate favourite for the role was... tan ta da dan... Michael Pitt! Amazing actor, who can play crazy, despicable, or psychotic characters very well. But I was dreaming with that one!
