MovieChat Forums > Friday Night Lights (2006) Discussion > Vince Howard/Michael B. Jordan = Amazing...

Vince Howard/Michael B. Jordan = Amazing actor and character

posted 8 years ago by ZeeEnds
6 replies | jump to latest

I really liked Michael B. Jordan on The Wire, and he brought the same heart to Friday Night Lights during seasons 4 and 5. It's rare for an actor to take a character from being sympathetic, to likable, to unlikable, and then back to likable again. Beyond that, the twists and turns of his story just made sense, especially for an inner city kid who primarily relied on one semi-together parent and a peer network for survival. The writers didn't make his story overly tragic (thus dragging it into melodrama turf) or too easy (look, now he's superstar who somehow remained humble and never looked back!). The chemistry between Vince and Eric Taylor was great, and there's so much smooth transition in Michael B. Jordan's facial expressions that I was as convinced of him as Vince as I was of him as Wallace. I hope to see much, much, more from this actor, as he deserves to have a long and prosperous career.

[–] tukai 8 years ago

Aside from tammi and Eric I thought Vince was the best

[–] TDizzle21 8 years ago

I agree OP. I'm glad that Michael B is doing good for himself and out there in movies.

[–] predarat 8 years ago

He did awesome in Creed as well.

[–] baylieismine04 8 years ago

I guess I'm in the minority because I found his acting in both this show and Parenthood very flat and wooden. He sounded like he was reading from a script a lot of times to me.

The only thing constant in life is change

[–] streetog 8 years ago

I guess I'm in the minority because I found his acting in both this show and Parenthood very flat and wooden. He sounded like he was reading from a script a lot of times to me.

I think his delivery (especially from the time he's introduced right up until he showdown with his pops) was intentionally delivered kind of flat and dry because it was meant to convey a lack of confidence in fitting into an organized program, trying to remove himself from the thugs he ran with (the teammates who walked out on Coach T), dealing with his drug-addicted mama, and knowing his father was in prison; a path he could very well have ended up mirroring had he not changed his ways.

Vince just had trust issues, no real confidence, and guarded himself because, much like Matt Saracen, he was the man of the house, had the weight of the world on his shoulders, was trying to do right, but still had to shake his "hood" mentality to be able to grow as a person.

I think this is truly evident once he gets with Jess for real and she brings out his personality, when his mom manages to kick her habit, and especially when he stands up to his dad when he showed up all coked up and drunk.

That's just my interpretation of the show, though.

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Just a theory, but worth pointing out, nonetheless.

[–] inyoface415 8 years ago

I'm in that minority with you. I've been running through the show on Netflix, and I personally don't think he is good at all on this show. Just didn't click for me.