While watching The Blacklist (NBC TV series) recently, I couldn't help but revisit some of James Spader's earlier movies and TV series. For the last 2 decades, I have seen many of his movies and TV series and could not help but like the many eccentric (and sometimes unlikeable) characters he played but the most memorable ones to me were Max Baron (White Palace), Dr Daniel Jackson (Stargate), Mr E.Edward Grey (Secretary) and Alan Shore (The Practice/Boston Legal). Looking back at these roles, it is obvious that Mr Spader displays a knack for playing damaged characters with hidden idiosyncrasies. Whether playing a wealthy young widower involved with an older waitress (Susan Sarandon), a nerdy archaeologist who speaks alien languages, a lawyer involved in a S/M relationship with his secretary (Maggie Gyllenhaal) or an eccentric but brilliant attorney who is amoral, he always does it with flair. Anyone planning to see the (much hyped) upcoming Fifty Shades of Grey movie next year which is based on the notorious E.L. James novels, should first check out Steven Shainberg's 2002 indie movie, Secretary, based on a short story by Mary Gaitskill. The movie which is highly rated and tastefully done concerns an eccentric attorney who embarks on a S/M relationship with his submissive secretary. The movie (which won numerous awards especially for Maggie Gyllenhaal's performance), is really an exceptional movie which deals with the subject of S/M relationships with great sensitivity, intelligence and dark humour. As for James Spader's E. Edward Grey, he will always remain the original Mr Grey to me. Move over zillionaire Christian Grey :) . But I guess James Spader's most memorable role will always be Alan Shore who first appeared in the tv series 'The Practice' and later in his own spin-off 'Boston Legal'. Well, one could attribute the success of 'Boston Legal' to David E. Kelley and his team of writers who also brought us Ally McBeal but who can deny the fact that Alan Shore just wouldn't be Alan Shore without James Spader. The brilliant but highly eccentric and amoral attorney was a role tailor made for the actor and I always liked watching his impassioned closing arguments during trials which he delivered so eloquently (not to mention his hysterically funny antics in court). Glad I still get to see this actor on TV these days and I heard he (or is it his voice) will also be appearing in the next Avengers movie.
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