MovieChat Forums > The Loved One (1965) Discussion > the lead role

the lead role

posted 12 years ago by denham
4 replies | jump to latest

This film has a lot of intelligence, some good acting and very good moments. It has the feel of something edited a shade abruptly to get down to around a more commercial 2 hours. Maybe commercial considerations decreed that the actor in the lead role had to be American, I don't know. But the character is English, and even after looping Robert Morse doesn't sound convincingly English, and in my view (and that of others, it seems) his is the least satisfactory performance in the film, accent aside. I can't help thinking it might have been an idea to choose an English actor. I can imagine for example Tom Courtenay, or possibly David Hemmings, giving the film a boost. (A few years later, Michael Palin would have ticked the biscuit.)

Postscript: But of course! it just needed Sir Francis Hinsley to "straighten him out on the accent bit"...

"I beseech ye in the bowels of Christ, think that ye may be mistaken."

[–] Tjcat 12 years ago

Agreed, Robert Morse is NOT a convincing "Englishman."
Tom Courtenay may have been a better choice. That
aside, it is still hilarious, albeit twisted comedy.

[–] !!!deleted!!! (41638798) 11 years ago

A young Albert Finney would have been marvelous.

Or Alan Bates....wow.

Courteney, too. And, of course, Hemmings.

But in those days not sure Hollywood would have bought Courteney--even after his stellar appearances in the Schlesinger films. Probably would not have been seen as Hollywood box office draw.

But Finney or Bates might have made the cut. Especially Finney.

But Morse was the Boy Of the Hour back then....he was a draw and big name.

So, Hollywood won. Not the artistic considerations.

[–] BlondeVixen 11 years ago

But Morse was the Boy Of the Hour back then....he was a draw and big name.

I never thought of him as that. The only other film with him I can think of in a lead part for a well-known film, was How to Succeed in Business....but most of his films seem to be on the seldom-seen or forgotten side.

[–] NewtonFigg 11 years ago

At the time, Michael Caine would have been right.