Benedict Cumberbatch is probably one of the most talented actors of his generation, but it becomes pretty obvious after watching a few of his films that he definitely has a type. He does the repressed Englishman persona, the socially inept, the too smart for his own good. And he does a variation on that role in a lot of different films. How many times have we seen Cumberbatch not playing someone who is a genius or at the very least borderline? He does it remarkably well, so he can get away with it, but still. Nice to see something different every once in a while. Which is why is was wonderful to see him take the role of Little Charles in August: Osage County. It's not a particularly big role, but it's pretty much the exact opposite of what he normally does, and he nails it. Little Charles is a pleasant man, a little bit of a dullard, but someone people like being around. He has a crushing sense of never being able to do anything right, the one in the family who's always late for important events and forgets to turn off the stove. It's incredibly impressive that the man most famous for the playing the emotionally distant Sherlock Holmes would also be able to play a role that exudes such a sense of warmth and kindness, to say nothing of his spot on Okie accent or his desperately sweet song to the girl he loves. This sort of thing is what proves an actor's ability, and Benedict Cumberbatch certainly passed the test.
Audrey Fox is an ex-film student, which means that she prefers to spend her days in the dark, watching movies and pondering the director's use of diegetic sound. She currently works as an entertainment writer, joyfully rambling about all things film and television related. Add her on Twitter at @audonamission and check out her film blog at 1001moviesandbeyond.com.
