Pt1 of 3: Richard Edson is Real
Living on the Lower East Side of Manhattan in the 80's, I used to see folks like John Lurie and Richard Edson around. Before Jim Jarmusch cast both of them in Stranger Than Paradise, he had the band-with-too-many-members-to-possibly-make-money: Konk. But the movies dragged him away from that and he has been in 81 movies since then. Now he is the "star" of ads for Traveler's Insurance. I love these ads mostly because of Richard. He has this wonderfully trippy quality that feels so real. I realize he is an accomplished actor and may just be good at doing this role. But something about it reminded me of the Richard I used to see on the street or on stage and made me almost...wistful.
I am a fan because I love his style. Yes, he's got a distinctive face. But there is a mix of the character actor's humility and a glint which reveals that he is a lot smarter and charismatic than others he has played against.
He should be the lead (and he has been in many films). I would love to see him team up with Darren Aronofsky (Requiem for a Dream) and do something darkly optimistic.
But back to the band, Konk. Total drumming, driving rhythm, lots of dancing, horns, celebration. Man, what a good sound.....
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