HANCOCK/MARSAN MARVEL

Here is a funny thing: in Will Smith's new blockbuster Hancock, his arch enemy is none other than mild mannered Eddie Marsan. Why is that funny? Because sweet little Eddie seems to have been entirely left out of the publicity campaign. In the 48 photos provided to press for the film, Marsan does not get a look in.

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This might not matter, given that the movie in such an obvious Smith vehicle. Indeed, he dominated the publicity so much that even co-star Charlize Theron rarely shows up in the support photos.

But it is a shame since Marsan's role marks such a stupendous change from his usual, or more recent fare.

His last major outing was as the fulminating but hugely inept driving instructor in Mike Leigh's smily Happy-Go-Lucky.

Of course, he was the even less effectual love interest in Leigh previous triumph, Vera Drake.

And he features largely in a new film, Faintheart, playing a muddled suburban husband who loses his darling wife because he is besotted with timidly reenacting medieval battles.

So far, so wimpish.

Then suddenly there he is in the heart of Hancock, in the middle of a huge and violent LA bank robbery, causing Hancock himself all kinds of grief. Not just once, but a second time too, making a come back for revenge despite having lost a limb in his previous encounter.

What does all this matter? Brits have played villains in Hollywood many times before.

And this role is not likely to add to anyone's admiration for Marsan's established acting talents.

Still it is good to see him breaking out of his traditional timidity and strutting it large in a blockbuster. So it is a pity that there is not any photographic evidence to record the moment!

As for the film itself, its legion of fans suggests that it is better than many critics made out. Seems these taskmasters forgot that such films do not have to make a great deal of sense to be highly entertaining.

Posted July 14, 2008.