By Jay A. Fernandez
This is decidedly random, but I’ve seen two movies recently that featured typically strong appearances by the mostly unsung Elias Koteas. I don’t know what it is, but I find this guy exhilarating to watch and wholeheartedly believe that he needs to be on screen as much as humanly possible.
So I hereby call for casting directors to bring him in on everything — comic book villains, romantic leads, action roles, miserable dramas, pornos, whatever. Get him in the movie. Do it now.
At Sundance two weeks ago, I was suffering through “The Killer Inside Me” when Koteas popped up as one of the few relatable characters — a guy who sees through the charming bullshit of Casey Affleck’s disturbed killer. He’s the kind of actor that lives so close to the skin of the character that he gives off those blurry heatwaves you see above a hot blacktop.
And then yesterday morning I was in a screening of Martin Scorsese’s “Shutter Island” on the Paramount lot and — whoa — there’s Koteas again. It’s only one scene, and he’s in some gnarly makeup, but I was so psyched to see his probing eyes and malicious grin.
Anyway, we all know how versatile he is, how he sizzled as the seductive Vaughan in David Cronenberg’s “Crash” and as the terribly conflicted captain in Terrence Malick’s “The Thin Red Line” and his supporting roles in Fincher’s “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” and “Zodiac.”
He’s one of those rare actors — I’m thinking of Joe Morton, or David Strathairn — who classes up any movie he’s in, no matter how crappy it is or how little he’s in it.
So: Elias Koteas. Put him in your fucking movie. Please.
February 5th, 2010 at 6:32 pm
100% agree. He’s Fan-fucking-tastic… All the way back to “Some Kind of Wonderful” where I first saw him.
February 6th, 2010 at 3:35 pm
i agreeeeeee.
February 6th, 2010 at 5:10 pm
ill always remember him as casey jones from the ninja turtle movie.
February 7th, 2010 at 1:28 pm
This is very exciting to me because not only is Elias a dear friend of mine, but this gifted actor is interested in starring in and directing a feature film of mine, called “THE FILE.” In fact, we will be having a table reading of the screenplay at the end of this week, directed by Elias.
It is so gratifying to see the harmonious rhythm and evolution of a bright light in a fellow human being.
Congratulations, Elias!!
February 9th, 2010 at 7:08 pm
[...] 60 films — Elias Koteas. I’ve had him on the brain for days, ever since THR’s Risky Business Blog posted a piece called “Put Elias Koteas in your movie, now” on [...]
February 9th, 2010 at 7:16 pm
[...] 60 films — Elias Koteas. I’ve had him on the brain for days, ever since THR’s Risky Business Blog posted a piece called “Put Elias Koteas in your movie, now” on [...]
February 9th, 2010 at 10:22 pm
[...] brain for days, ever since THR’s Risky Business Blog posted a piece called [...]
February 10th, 2010 at 2:07 am
[...] 60 films — Elias Koteas. I’ve had him on the brain for days, ever since THR’s Risky Business Blog posted a piece called “Put Elias Koteas in your movie, now” on [...]
February 13th, 2010 at 2:40 pm
He has unbelievable acting chops.. He could be folding a sheet, or talking to a wall, and it will strike me as fascinating in any movie he is in, whether it be big or small. He is so sensitive to detail that it is nothing short of remarkable.
February 19th, 2010 at 4:51 pm
One word: Exotica.
February 20th, 2010 at 4:34 am
Yes, please give Elias Koteas more great roles! He’s a gifted, charismatic actor.
February 20th, 2010 at 1:35 pm
Another one word: Oz.
February 20th, 2010 at 11:23 pm
100% agree! Elias is one of the most incredible actors, every second of every role is genius… put Elias in your movie!
February 23rd, 2010 at 4:46 pm
I have TWO words for you GBS: Christopher Meloni.
March 1st, 2010 at 7:42 pm
Great in Oz. Wish he’d do more interesting projects though.