Martin Freeman: 5 Awesome Performances And 5 That Sucked

3. The HitchHiker's Guide to the Galaxy (2005)

Maybe it's because I was brought up on the original, but I just don't get enjoyment out of Martin Freeman as Arthur Dent. Overshadowed by a lot of other actors being larger than life characters, and a film more confident with its visual style than its script (something the radio version obviously never had a problem with) you just feel there's more they could have done with Arthur. In short - he's wasted here, used more as a lens for us to look through at the world they've created. Whether I'd have felt differently if he just had more to do, I don't know, but his version feels under-developed and - dare I say - just the wrong side of dull. Maybe that's the point, but if you wanted someone dull there were a lot more British actors you could have chosen. I'll save that list - that long list - for another day.
Contributor
Contributor

I'm a Westcountry exile now living in Yorkshire with lovely wife and cats (also lovely). I'm a big fan of films, robots, timetravel, and films about timetravelling robots, as well as lots of other action, sci-fi and comedy. I'm currently trying to write a sitcom that doesn't involve robots, and I also blog nonsense on timolsky.blogspot.com. Thanks for taking the time to read my stuff, and feel free to comment.