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Emmet Walsh was a highly regarded American character actor in Hollywood. He gained recognition during the American new wave for his captivating appearance and strong on-screen presence. Despite his round and stocky frame, he exuded a tough demeanor that made him suitable for a variety of roles. However, behind his intense gaze, there was also a hint of sadness in his sorrowful eyes.
Walsh provided a sense of authenticity to any scene he appeared in – similar to his peers Ned Beatty or George Kennedy – where he could blend into the setting and diminish the prominence of the male lead, often portraying an antagonistic or malevolent authority figure. His presence could be compared to a gargoyle or an ordinary individual, but he was never foolish and always commanded serious attention. In his later years, he frequently acted alongside male leads, including a notable role as the Apothecary opposite a young Leonardo DiCaprio in Baz Luhrmann’s Romeo+Juliet (1996).
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Undoubtedly, it was the Coen brothers who provided Walsh with his unforgettable role – one that would cement his status as a noir legend. In 1984’s Blood Simple, a dark crime thriller, Walsh portrays the despicable private detective Visser, a character that embodies all things sleazy and slimy. His performance is nothing short of demonic, fully embodying the sinister nature of Visser. In fact, Walsh’s portrayal is so powerful that it is primarily conveyed through his voice, rather than his facial expressions. His monologue, delivered in a deadpan manner, is a haunting combination of cynicism and violence that echoes over the barren landscape of Texas. It is the equivalent of a somber Ry Cooder guitar riff, and fans of the film can easily recite it word for word.
Many people in the world tend to complain, but the reality is that nothing is guaranteed. It doesn’t matter if you hold a high position or are recognized as successful, unforeseen challenges can always arise. So go ahead and complain, seek support from others, but don’t be surprised if they are too busy taking care of their own problems. In Russia, there is a belief that everyone should support each other, but in Texas, it’s every man for himself.
Walsh’s Visser is a dishonest and immoral private investigator, dressed in a Stetson hat and pale yellow suit, who is described as a disgusting creature and a killer. In the film, he is portrayed as the most wicked private detective in cinema history, living in his own personal hell. (In Graham Greene’s The End of the Affair, the role of the private detective as a witness and accomplice to sin intrigued him – I often think about how he would have reviewed Walsh’s portrayal in Blood Simple.)
Before this, Walsh played a similarly powerful role in Ulu Grosbard’s acclaimed crime thriller Straight Time (1978), which was adapted from Ed Bunker’s novel No Beast So Fierce. He portrayed the unlikeable parole officer Earl, who makes it his mission to sabotage Dustin Hoffman’s character Max upon his release from prison, ultimately driving him back to a life of crime through relentless and almost psychopathic harassment. This can be seen as a more traditional role for Walsh, as he was playing against the handsome and heroic protagonist. In Sidney Lumet’s Serpico (1973), he was part of a familiar group of corrupt police officers who contribute to the issues that Al Pacino’s character, an outsider rookie, is trying to remedy. (Unlike in Blood Simple, there is no sympathetic main character for Walsh to contrast against.)
He was also skilled in comedy, notably as the manic gunman in Steve Martin’s first film, The Jerk, released in 1982. However, his comedic style involved playing his character seriously and relying on his natural abilities, as he did throughout his career. In Ridley Scott’s 1982 movie Blade Runner, he played the role of Bryant, the former commander of Harrison Ford’s character, Deckard, who is manipulated by Bryant through a combination of manipulation and coercion to return to his former job of tracking down replicants. This character was a prime example of Walsh’s typical cop role – disheveled and unfriendly, with a cynical and calculating demeanor, and he made the most of every moment on screen.
Walsh was a timeless figure in American culture.
Source: theguardian.com
