Dear Timothy Hutton,
I just want to thank you for the perfection of your flashback scene from this week’s episode of Leverage, “The Snow Job.” It worked on every level, for a myriad of reasons.
First of all, you went deep, dude (and I mean “dude” as no sign of disrespect, for you are the dudiest). You were able to capture, in that short flashback, the gripping terror that every parent feels when they think about their child being in mortal danger, let alone actually coding (and as we know happens, dying). I don’t think there’s a parent out there who didn’t let out at least a small gasp at the power of your performance.
The manic screaming for your son, the desperate pounding at the hospital room doors, when you were denied entry to be with your son in his last moments: powerful.
Also, at 36 seconds, it was just long enough. It didn’t bring the whole episode down, but it gave us just enough information to help us realize why Nate took to the bottle in this episode.
Mr. Hutton, Tim — can I call you Tim? — I truly hope that all the viewers of Leverage realize what a gift it is to see you on screen in the role of Nate Ford each week, and that the subtleties of your performance, things they may miss if they aren’t watching closely, are the gold. If I were young enough to hang a picture of you on my bedroom wall, Tim, you’d be there.
You should be unabashedly proud of your performance, Mr. Hutton, Tim, and here’s the clip so that you can brag to your friends and family. C’mon, you know your mother wants to see that again.
An awestruck fan,
Debbie
Clacked by Debbie McDuffee
on Jan 29, 2009 @ 16:05 EST5EDT
Yep, excellent performance, and well appreciated even by those of us who are not parents.
Great letter, I’m in wholehearted agreement. I love Leverage for so many reasons, Tim Hutton’s acting is one of the better reasons. The only thing I really don’t like about Leverage is the 13-episode season since I can’t get enough!
I am really loving Leverage – it is unique somewhat in today’s TV landscape. A caper Robin Hood show – the old bad guys with golden hearts finding a family in thieves. The characters are very distinct and compliment one another and their growing inter-relationships are making them more complex. While I love Parker’s aspergers-like recklessness and Elliott’s channeling of Emeril and BamBam – it is really Tim Hutton’s skill that makes it all work. He becomes the person he is portraying – slouch, strut, mannerisms and twitches. Like you said – mostly subtle things that are really the hallmark of a fine actor. His strength makes the almost cartoon like actions (deliberate) of his cast work.