What's Missing?

Several days ago I watched a Charlie Rose interview with Russell Crowe, Denzel Washington, Ridley Scott and Brian Grazer about American Gangster. I wasn't thrilled with the film, so I wanted to hear what their insights were. I didn't walk away from the interview feeling much better, there was a lot of back patting (basically, neither Crowe nor Washington would have done the film if Ridley Scott were not on board). However, Russell Crowe made a statement that was so basic (presumably, in the world of acting anyways) but it had an "ah-ha" affect on me. When asked by Rose what intrigued him about Richie Roberts, Crowe responded that there was nothing on the page that intrigued him about the character; it was what was missing.

I'm sure I have heard so many times in my past acting class that when reading a script that it's important to pay attention to what is on the page, but also to look for what is not there - but I never disciplined myself to do so automatically.

Crowe went on to state that what intrigued him the most about Richie Roberts was how he figured out how to take down such a notorious man. It wasn't about all the things that he did know about Frank Lucas, it was about figuring out what he didn't know.

I wish I could go back and re-read then re-work scenes that I've done in acting class with a greater attention to what is on the page and to what is not. I have long felt that I need more practice reading scripts. Perhaps, if I find myself so inclined, I will pick a few up to work on.

Love,
Aislinn