As so often, I come late to the table, discovering some genius that others have known of for years. I discovered Fichtner on Prison Break...and sat enthralled, through seasons 2-4, has his Alex Mahone evolved from relentless FBI agent...to junkie villain...to tortured soul...to hero.
Turns out, I had seen him briefly back when I tried get into the TV show Invasion. Seems I didn't give the show enough time--the ratings on Amazon for the show's single season are almost all five stars. So today I've ordered that, along with:
EQUILIBRIUM, another gem I somehow missed: a Matrix-style sci/fi Fu-er with Wild Bill and Christian Bale.
How unbelievably sad that this brilliant actor, who really should have been a leading man, didn't get another break after Invasion and Prison Break. Aside from Equilibrium, are there any other Fichtner gems I should be checking out?
Go, Wild Bill!
7 replies to this topic
#2
Loomis
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Posted 27 February 2012 - 03:12 AM
Fichtner is great as the money launderer Roger Van Zant (a strangely sympathetic slimeball) in Michael Mann's HEAT. Which is, incidentally, one of the best films ever made.
#3
x007AceOfSpades
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Posted 27 February 2012 - 04:59 AM
I was going to mention this film, but I see you beat me to it Loomis haha.Fichtner is great as the money launderer Roger Van Zant (a strangely sympathetic slimeball) in Michael Mann's HEAT. Which is, incidentally, one of the best films ever made.
It truely is one of the best films ever made Dodge, it is a must see!
#4
Tarl_Cabot
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Posted 27 February 2012 - 05:18 AM
Fichtner is great as the money launderer Roger Van Zant (a strangely sympathetic slimeball) in Michael Mann's HEAT. Which is, incidentally, one of the best films ever made.
and he was in the Dark Knight as an homage the HEAT, one of Nolan's favorite films.
#5
Safari Suit
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Posted 27 February 2012 - 08:04 AM
He's great fun in Drive Angry, much more screentime than he usually gets too. Film wasn't everyone's cup of tea though,
#6
dodge
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Posted 27 February 2012 - 07:43 PM
Many thanks, all. I've seen Heat but a while back and can't remember Wild Bill's part. I'll surely check it out again. Also, Drive Angry, since he has more than his usual screen time. Meantime, I can't wait for my boxed set of Invasion to arrive. I get the vibe that Fichtner's role may have been a preparation of a sort for Prison Break. In the few episodes I saw, Wild Bill really creeped me out and I concluded that he had been podded. Apparently, not so--because a few Amazon posters have praised his transformation into a loving, heroic character. He's in his middle fifties now, so I hope someone grabs him up for a last-chance film or TV role while he's still got the juice and legs.
#7
dodge
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Posted 27 February 2012 - 07:55 PM
Update, since the edit function seems to have disappeared...
Fichtner's having no trouble at all finding tons of work. A half-dozen films are in various stages of completion and development, including parts in The Lone Ranger, a SEALS actioner, and Elysium with Matt Damon and Jodie Foster. Of special interest to me is The Stupidest Angel, the only film listed with Fichtner in a starring role--billed as action/horror/comedy...you never know, could be his big hit.
Fichtner's having no trouble at all finding tons of work. A half-dozen films are in various stages of completion and development, including parts in The Lone Ranger, a SEALS actioner, and Elysium with Matt Damon and Jodie Foster. Of special interest to me is The Stupidest Angel, the only film listed with Fichtner in a starring role--billed as action/horror/comedy...you never know, could be his big hit.
#8
SPECTRE ASSASSIN
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Posted 17 March 2012 - 10:45 AM
He's great fun in Drive Angry, much more screentime than he usually gets too. Film wasn't everyone's cup of tea though,
I agree. He was the only shining light in that awful awful movie. I know this is obscure, but i thought Fincther was hilarious doing the voice of the lawyer Ken Rosenberg in the "Grand Theft Auto" series.