Today sees the UK release of The Fault in Our Stars, a new romantic comedy-drama based on the bestselling novel by John Green. The film has already had a very good run in the States, garnering critical acclaim and having a very strong opening run at the box office, outgrossing Edge of Tomorrow, Maleficent and Divergent on their respective opening days. For once we might have a ubiquitous, young adult film outside of The Hunger Games which might actually be worth watching. Regardless of how well the film eventually performs with audiences, it marks a welcome return to our screens for Willem Dafoe. From his earliest days as a founder member of the experimental Wooster Group, Dafoe has carved out a series of distinctive, complex and compelling characters which have won him considerable acclaim. His unusual voice and facial features make him one of the most recognisable actors in the business, and yet at his best he has always completely disappeared into a part. But, of course, Dafoe's career hasn't always been plain sailing. Like so many of the other great actors that we've covered in this segment, he's got a few black marks on his CV that he won't be so willing to discuss in interviews. So today, to mark the release his new film, we're taking a long look back at Dafoe's career, enjoying its dizzying heights and plumbing its few unfortunate depths. We'll begin with a spot of counterfeiting...
Freelance copywriter, film buff, community radio presenter. Former host of The Movie Hour podcast (http://www.lionheartradio.com/ and click 'Interviews'), currently presenting on Phonic FM in Exeter (http://www.phonic.fm/). Other loves include theatre, music and test cricket.
