It's not an obvious phenomena when you just watching the film of course, it's supposed to help you get drawn into the story.
When you watch American Gangster you can see Denzel's movements as he plays the character of Frank Lucas.
You can count his movements as he walks. A one -two beat with medium steps. More calculated, thoughtful steps (obviously- a heroin dealer has to think faster and walk with more deliberate movements).
You can see a difference after an attempt is made on his wife's life, but with time he reverts to his 'old self' again
.
In Malcolm X he had longer, more fluid motions, because the character was bigger, longer, less understated, more action. These changed as the man changed in character with the progression of time.
In contrast Armand Assante in American Gangster, had One- two- three- four, quicker, jerkier beats to his movements. Some of them very staccato.
He used his arms and head a lot to portray his character. I think this was because he was more agitated, and wanted to intimidate the Frank Lucas character by drawing him into an emotional unsteadiness. This did not happen.
Josh Brolin in American Gangster had One- two- three quicker but medium steps...
His character was greasy, yet savvy.
However, you can tell the greed and the corruption, got in the way of his rationality. Although his motions were smooth, they were a bit too fast (perfect for the character).
Josh Brolin is not known at all for bad guy roles..He was lovely as this bad guy :)
Chiwetel Ejiofor had one- two LONG movements, but One- two short steps as well, in combination.
Perfect because his character as the brother of Frank and one of the Country Boys Gang (in real life Frank's brothers and cousins were called the Country Boys), struggled somewhat to keep up with Frank's own savvy and sophistication.
Well...as much sophistication as Frank could have. Frank learned well however by watching and being taught what his former boss Bumpy had learned from the Italian mobsters of the time.
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