Martin Freeman looks like an accountant more than he does a major star, but Freeman’s star has catapulted from the early days of the BBC’s version of The Office to roles in the biggest films Hollywood has to offer. Freeman has always bounced back and forth between television and films. He redefined Dr. Watson for a new generation in Sherlock, starred in a better Fargo than the film, and began The Office revolution. He’s also traversed Middle-Earth, traveled the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and starred in a trilogy of Edgar Wright’s most bizarre comedies. He has astounding range for someone who looks like a midwestern insurance salesman (he just changed careers from accountancy), and while is terrifically funny, can be menacing, charming, or heart-breaking in turns. Anything that has Martin Freeman in it is instantly worth watching, because if it’s good, he’s going to make it great, and even if it’s bad; he’ll make it tolerable.
Martin Freman’s 10 Best Movies
1. Sherlock (2010 – 2017, BBC) Dr. John Watson
2. Black Panther (2018) Everett Ross
3. Captain America: Civil War (2016) Everett Ross
4. Fargo Season One (2014-2015, FX) Lester Nygaard
5. The Hobbit Trilogy (2012-2014) Bilbo Baggins
6. Love Actually (2003) John
7. The Office (2001-2003, BBC) Tim Canterbury
8. Hot Fuzz (2007) Met Sergeant
9. The World’s End (2013) Oliver Chamberlain
10. Shaun of the Dead (2004) Declan
Honorable Mention: The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy (2005) Arthur Dent
Oscars, Golden Globes & Emmys
Oscar Wins (0): None
Oscar Nominations (0): None
Golden Globe Wins (0): None
Golden Globe Nominations (1): Fargo (2015)
Emmy Wins (1): Sherlock (2014)
Emmy Nominations (3): Sherlock (2011, 2014), Fargo (2014)
My Favorite Freeman Scene:
“The Acorn” from The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies (2014)
Next Film: Freeman’s Everett Ross will, no doubt, turn up in future MCU films and future seasons of Sherlock are possible, but the only film he’s currently attached to is a comedy with Morena Baccarin entitled Ode to Joy that does not currently have a release date.
After I watched the Hobbit I found myself twitching my nose just like he did … still do it today. That’s the power of a true star!!! 😀
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Freeman was born to play Bilbo. Of course so was Ian Holm, but the way the timing worked out, we got both. No complaints! To me the magic of Tolkein is all in the ridiculous little guys with huge feet. The hobbits have an actual society that operates according to relatable rules, superimposed on top of a story set in a world of high fantasy movers and shakers. Bilbo and Sam never grow into figures like Luke Skywalker in thier respective stories, they act like I would hope to act if I were thrust into high fantasy land, though of course I don’t know if I would rise to the occasion. Probobly NOT. Freeman worked so well in the role because he is so totally unpretentious and he tricks you into thinking he is unassuming. He really is a pure, honest actor. I hate it when the word honest is used to describe things, but I think you know what I mean.
He was also born to play Arthur Dent. It is a shame that that movie, with the perfect Arthur and the perfect Vogons, created by the Henson people, pandered to mainstream American sensibilities instead of diving into the darkness of Adams’ philosophical madness. But who knows if a faithful version would have flown. I have a lot of Adams memorized I love him so much, but movies like this are expensive.
Sherlock is genius. Long live both actors. It’s the best adaptation of the source material ever attempted, because of them.
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