On the Cutting Edge
tMF Spotlights one of the UK’s most exciting and talented young actors, Jim Sturgess!

British actors come at acting from a slightly different angle," Sturgess says. "Because a lot of the films are cast out there, they are so used to the angle, from which the Americans, and certainly the young guys from LA, are coming at it, that I think it's interesting for them to find these English actors who maybe approach acting from a different place." That’s Jim Sturgess for you.

- - -

- - -

If there’s one actor who has captured the imagination of Hollywood with such intensity, then it’s Jim Sturgess. The 27-year old British actor just recently celebrated the win of his latest movie, Fifty Dead Men Walking at the Vancouver Film Festival. Sturgess plays Martin McGartland, a mole planted by the British government inside the Irish Republican Army (IRA). The explosive political thriller is a far cry from Jim’s previous role as a young lover in the Beatles-inspired Across the Universe.

As more projects line up his door, let’s take a moment to know Sturgess before the hype.

- - -

Before Hollywood: Drama school, a band and a one-man act: Reported to have been approached by a talent agent “on the strength of a one-man show he put up in Manchester as a student”, Jim Sturgess began his quest to become an actor early on.

He was a member of the National Youth Music Theatre for two years and studied acting at the University of Salford’s School of Media, Music and Performance. At the same time, he’s a member of the “Dilated Spies”, a seven-member band. Thus, it was no surprise Sturgess can sing and act with such conviction and authenticity. The ability to performance both as an actor and as singer will be used by the young actor later on in his quest to become a serious and professional actor.

Much like his fellow Brits, Jim got involved in a variety of roles in British productions- mostly made for TV movies and series- including The Quest, a Touch of Frost, Judge John Deed, Hawk and Rehab.

- - -

An Actor who can sing, A Singer who can act: Jim’s breakthrough role is certainly Julie Taymor’s Across the Universe. Noted for its unique take on music, politics and love, audiences either love it or hate it. Not everyone seems to be impressed with the way Julie Taymor approached the film. Even Jim, at first, thought it was a bad idea:

I thought it was a terrible idea. This is before Julie being involved. Just the core nature of what that was sounded like a really bad idea. We’re gonna make a Beatles musical. Are you f**king kidding me? That’s a terrible idea. Why would you do something like that? And then you start realizing the people that were involved. So, I had to shed a certain baggage and when I did, I realized how beautiful and incredible and fun and how you have every right to do whatever the f*ck you like.

- - -

- - -

Those who have come to love the movie were impressed with Sturgess. Says Ali, a fan and the founder of JimSturgess.Org:

I, as well as everyone else in the community on our website, first saw Jim play the character Jude in Across the Universe. I'll admit to the fact that I'm a sucker for singers, and when said singers are singing songs by my all time favorite band, there is an added bonus. I absolutely adored his performance in Across the Universe, and I knew 100% that he was going to take off - especially with the young ladies.

A recent article entitled “The Brit Pack” commented on Sturgess and said:

His work on the film has led to him being touted as the superhero lead in Taymor's next Broadway venture, Spider-Man: The Musical, with music by Bono and The Edge. That, in turn, led Entertainment Weekly to throw his name into the ring as a possible youthful Superman in the new Justice League movie. As Hollywood buzz goes, it doesn't get much louder than that.

While there’s talk of Jim playing a lead role in Taymor’s follow-up, it seems his casting is yet to be confirmed.

- - -

Sturgess on the Limelight: Follow-up Projects and more critical acclaim: Across the Universe was followed by a supporting role in the period drama The Other Boleyn Girl. Jim plays George Boleyn, in this story of intrigue, drama and sibling rivalry led by Natalie Portman and Scarlett Johansson who plays sisters, Anne and Mary Boleyn.

- - -

- - -

This was followed closely by another lead role, this time in the thriller 21, together with Kevin Spacey, Laurence Fisburne and Kate Bosworth. 21 is the story about six MIT students who were trained to become experts in card counting and subsequently took Vegas casinos for millions in winnings. Sturgess plays Ben Campbell, the leader of the group. Says Peter Travers @Rolling Stones in his review:

Sturgess does a nifty job as this poor Boston lad, given that he's a Brit best known for starring in Across the Universe. The guy has acting chops and a built-in appeal that keeps us in his corner.

- - -

A Career Defining Role: Fifty Dead Men Walking: Critics and ordinary moviegoers agree that Sturgess has the talent to make it big, but some are even surprise at the rate of his climb into the top. If playing Jude in Across the Universe is his breakthrough role and introduced him to a world-wide audience, then his role as an IRA mole in Kari Skogland’s award-winning, Fifty Dead Men Walking is his ticket to acclaim.

It's a story about an everyman hero," said Canadian director Kari Skogland at the press conference for the movie. But the real story concerning the film has been the off-screen controversy that at one point threatened to overshadow it's Gala premiere at Toronto Film Fest.

It's the real-life story of Martin McGartland -- played in the film by Jim Sturgess -- a young hoodlum living in Belfast during "The Troubles" of the late 1980s. He's recruited by the British Government to infiltrate the Irish Republican Army, and is put in the care of a handler, codename Fergus, played by Sir Ben Kingsley.

The film has its roots in a bestselling memoir by the real-life McGartland. He's been making noise all summer about his concerns over Skogland's adaptation of his book, saying he was unhappy with the film. [ read more ]

- - -

- - -

While the buzz surrounding the movie started with the author of the book, the very character played by Sturgess, much of the rave and talk right after the showing is for the movie itself and Sturgess’ acting. Says critic Allan Hunter @Screen Daily:

Sturgess once again confirms his ability to carry a film with a performance that is just as commanding but very different from his most notable roles in Across The Universe and 21.

Says Jim:

"The pub was the best place to find all the stories we were looking for. So there was a lot of drinking," he said. "We just got drunk basically and spoke to a lot of Irishmen. What was great is that Irish people are such storytellers, especially when you're sitting in such a relaxed environment."

Growing up, the 27-year-old British actor said he saw the IRA portrayed as thugs who just blew things up.

"Then I went to Belfast and I actually met some of these people and I found them to be intelligent and these great characters, a lot of fun," he said. "It made me really understand the conflict."

- - -

Moving Forward: What the future brings! - 2008 is another banner year for Sturgess with three other new projects, including Crossing Over, Heartless and Sidney Hall.

Crossing Over- is a multi-character canvas about immigrants of different nationalities struggling to achieve legal status in Los Angeles. The film deals with the border, document fraud, the asylum and green card process, work-site enforcement, naturalization, the office of counter terrorism and the clash of cultures.

Heartless- Jamie Morgan's life has always been blighted by the large, heart-shaped birthmark on his face. He lives in an urban world dominated by a terrifying gang culture, whose random violence has convinced Jamie that the world is meaningless and ugly. But then Jamie meets someone who tells him the truth. The violence is not random. It's far from chaotic. There is a reason for everything. Once Jamie accepts this the world reveals itself as a thing of great beauty... And that's when his real nightmare starts...

Sidney Hall- The story of how a prodigal young writer's best-selling novel ultimately destroys his life.

- - -

The Last Word: Some actors may mesmerize you on screen with their good looks, but many of them failed to impress when it comes to expressing their opinions, if they have one at all. Some have to be coached and it shows. With Jim, the characters he played in his movies are not only convincing, they have their own hearts and souls. Which brings us to the man himself- is Jim as convincing and as authentic as his characters in real life?

I don’t worry about what’s the ‘correct’ thing to take and what’s expected of me. To do something like that would just be the most ridiculous and incredible experience you can imagine.

Hopefully the acclaimed actor will continue to be true to himself and to his fans.

Hollywood’s most sought-after leading men are getting old- Brad Pitt is already 41, The same age issue is also applicable to Johnny Depp, Matt Damon and Leonardo DiCaprio. Perhaps this is the right time for a new pack of young, exciting actors to grab some of the more 'younger' roles and make it their own.

Jim Sturgess is definitely one of them.

- - -

Set as favorite

Bookmark

Email This

Hits: 1156

Comments (3)

...

Thank you so much for this profile.What a wonderful article! Jim is definitely one of best young actors working today.His versatility as an actor is amazing.

Kei , October 15, 2008

A Very Talented Actor

Excellent article! Jim Sturgess is an extremely talented actor and singer and deserves more acclaim. He has been amazing in every movie he has been in so far and will definitely have a great future in the film industry.

Jesse , December 21, 2008

Agree Completely

I've been a huge Jim Sturgess fan for quite a while now, and I'm so glad to see this on here. He really is very talented, and I can't wait to see him in some more works.

Micks , December 24, 2008

Write comment

Name

Email

Website

Title

Comment

smaller | bigger

Subscribe via email (Registered users only)

Add Comment Preview