Mark Wisniewski: AMISTAD ACTORS

One of Amistad’s most prominent actors is Anthony Hopkins, who plays the part of John Quincy Adams in the film. Our text mentions Hopkins more than once, characterizing him as both an impersonator (Hitchcock) and an interpreter (Nixon). Hopkins’ talent in his craft is beyond question, but even the author of our textbook seems somewhat equivocal about whether he is more of an impersonator or an interpreter (Goodykoontz & Jacobs, 2014). Since we have much less information about the physical mannerisms, voice, and personal style of John Quincy Adams (particularly in the twilight of his political career) than we do of both Hitchcock and Nixon, thanks mostly to television, it seems that Hopkins’ portrayal of Adams in Amistad was much more an interpretation than an impersonation. I suppose this fact was just as much a hindrance to Hopkins as it was liberation, when working with the other filmmakers on how exactly to portray the long deceased statesman. Limited information being accessible by the filmmakers also means that limited information is accessible by the audience, leaving Hopkins to imagine certain mannerisms based upon the written record of Adams having been crotchety, much like his esteemed father had been. Hopkins portrays his interpretation brilliantly by showing Adams dozing off during sessions in the House of Representatives, as John Quincy Adams was known to have done from time to time, and then rousing slightly to quip back at Representative Pinckney without moving from his position (28:20).

HOPKINS CLIP

Another example that shows Anthony Hopkins as an interpretive actor is his portrayal of Dr. Hannibal Lecter in the 1991 film The Silence of the Lambs. The film is actually based upon a 1988 fiction novel by author Thomas Harris. For this reason, the character Hannibal Lecter was a person who had been created by Harris, and Hopkins provided his interpretation of the character, as he imagined him to be (Bozeman). Lecter was an entirely different character than John Quincy Adams, and Hopkins was able to get into each character and provide stunning and convincing performances.

HOPKINS CLIP HANNIBAL

Morgan Freeman, who plays the part of Theodore Joadson in the film, is a personality actor. Freeman certainly has a distinctive style, from his characteristically deep authoritative voice to his brooding intellectual dialogue. The characters Freeman plays are most frequently calm sources of reason, and anchors for others, who may be more emotional, to hang onto through the difficult times. Picture Freeman’s role as Red, the veteran prisoner, and best friend and emotional guardian to Andy Dufrane, in The Shawshank Redemption, or the bitter and cerebral Detective Somerset in Se7en. In Amistad, Freeman’s character is frequently the voice of experience and reason, working to persuade Adams to take on the case, while offering advice and counsel to Roger Baldwin.

Djimon Hounsou, who plays Cinque, is the least known actor in a primary role of the film. He also plays a man who does not speak English, or even a language that can be translated to English throughout most of the film. As such, his character’s emotions, thoughts, and feelings, are communicated largely through body language and bold acts. Hounsou plays this role quite convincingly, and does so as a character actor. I believe that few actors could become Cinque as Hounsou does in this film. He is a tortured, frustrated, and powerful, yet powerless man.