Nishijima Hidetoshi

I normally don't like talking about an actor in particular; but this Japanese actor is strikingly talented (and quite good-looking indeed...). He is different from most Asian actors either in films or on television. The way he presents himself in all the roles has this natural and effortless feel reminding me of those European actors (French and Spanish actors in general give me the same impression). It is as if he does not act out but becomes the characters. Plus he really chooses screenplays quite carefully so all the roles are quite fitting as well. I imagine if I actually see him on stage doing a play, it'd be simply mesmerizing.

OK, I am not going to deny the fact that his good looks are part of the reasons I like watching him in films (I am still very superficial at times). Maybe that's what captured my attention at the beginning. I still can't remember what was the first film in which I saw him in. But in すべては夜から生まれる(Subete wa yoru kara umareru, a small non-commercial film I belive), the way he presents the role has this mystic quality (the film is a bit strange and boring to some but nobody around me has seen this film except me) and reminds me of how Hope Davis does her roles in films. It's all about emotions, I suppose.

ps. I just realised how difficult it is for me to write about this...something blocked. I am going to try to write on the same subject another time.