21 thoughts on “MCM: Rufus Sewell

  1. I have to ask, what would have been used instead of the metal grommet? Would it simply have been a tightly stitched/hemmed hole?

    1. Yep, a little hole with essentially a whip-stitched edge. It’s quite strong, actually! (I’ve made & used ’em). Metal grommets weren’t used on clothing until the 19th century, & even then, they were 1st used for corsets & shoes. For more, see my article on why metal grommets are the visible panty lines of historical costuming :) http://www.trystancraft.com/costume/2012/02/17/why-metal-grommets-are-the-visible-panty-lines-of-historical-costuming/

  2. Can I just say that “Dark City” is the film that made me fall HARD for Rufus Sewell? It’s not historical, but it is kind of post-apocalyptic science fiction-y/dark fantasy and is kind of set in a noir 1940s-ish world. One of the reasons I could never get into “The Matrix” franchise was because “Dark City” spoiled me. It’s like if you took the basic premise of “The Matrix” and cut out all the fucking over the top SFX that distract you from the fact that the plot is bland as all hell, and the lead actor could actually act, you’d have “Dark City”.

    1. TOTALLY Dark City — it was the good Matrix (I really f-ing hate The Matrix & sequels, don’t get me started). But I couldn’t include it bec. y’know, not historical :(

  3. I’d take Rufus Sewell over Hugh Grant ANY day of the week. Confession time: it was Dangerous Beauty that introduced me to him and made me fall for him. I’ve been meaning to look up more stuff he’s been in, thanks for helping out with the historical side! I’ve seen knight’ tale (blech movie), Pillars of the Earth (I quite enjoyed, but didn’t read the book), and Charles II (because of you guys, thankyouyum), and I love him and Ed Norton equally in The Illusionist for some reason. But haven’t seen the others. I’ll probably stay away from the Hardy one because I’ve read just too many of his books, but I’m gonna check out the rest! Andvthat Dark City sounds intriguing.

    1. He’s the only good thing in Dangerous Beauty! And in Knights Tale! Woodlanders *is* a really good movie, even if he dies at the end — just watch it with a box of tissues :) I only call Rufus Sewell the poor man’s Hugh Grant bec. that seems like how he’s cast in movies. Couldn’t get Grant, call up Sewell. I don’t mind one bit, heh.

  4. I adore Rufus Sewell! Though you have already listed my fav historical Movies. I also really like Dark City, the modern version of The Taming of the Shrew and Higher Love.

  5. I can’t remember which film I first saw him in, though I do remember thinking ‘Holy F– who is THAT?!’ I was so happy to hear he had been cast as Tom Builder in Pillars and I hope it won’t spoil anything to say I thought the whole cast gave excellent performances. His performance in The Illusionist also stood out for me; it could have been so one-note, but he gave the character some real nuance, rather than relying solely on nefarious facial expressions. Middlemarch remains my favorite.

  6. Don’t know enough to comment on the costumes, but…Rufus Sewell in Carrington! Such a beautiful film.

    Now I can’t unsee the eyes–never noticed before.

  7. What about Amazing Grace? He played Thomas Clarkson. I can’t comment on historical accuracy of the costumes but I thought it an excellent film (and had the super huge bonus of Ioan Gruffudd!!)

  8. PS I discovered Rufus in Dark City, and then again in A Knight’s Tale — he was fabulous as Count Adhemar (anyone else also love his horse?)

  9. Favorite actor playing favorite history hunk (Charles II) = mad about the man. Wasn’t a fan for the TV series, Ren, but watched it just for him. Wish I was on that elevator with him.

  10. I know it’s not completely historical, but you really need to check out the 2005 BBC retelling of The Taming of The Shrew. It’s brought into the modern day and Katherine (Shirley Henderson) is a foul mouthed Tory MP who is surprisingly popular with voters, but needs a husband to make her more appealing to the conservative constituency. Enter Rufus Sewell (his character is not named), a feckless Earl who needs a rich wife to pay his massive tax bill…

    And I REALLY WANT the coat he’s wearing at the wedding. I will say no more.

  11. Amazing Grace, for sure. But I first was struck by him in The Holiday with Kate Winslet. He was definitely a cad, but I would have fallen in love with him like Kate did!

  12. I used to think he was criminally underrated as an actor; now I’m starting to suspect he’s cursed. His turkey ratio is unusually high. (Gods of Egypt, anyone? Just the latest in… a lot.)

    He has done something to his eyes recently (unfortunately), and he really, really needs to step away from the Botox. (His facial expressions appeared to be operated by someone in the next room in The Illusionist.)

    It’s a shame. He seems amiable, and he’s a good actor. My favourite film involving him is John Tarturro’s Illuminata, which I love wholeheartedly, not least for Christopher Walken’s foppish theatre critic.

  13. I’m sorry, but Rufus gives me the heebie jeebies. I think it’s his eyes.

Comments are closed.