Richard Armitage on Time Warner Cable: Heinz Kruger’s jaw
Getting back to business here, finally, at least a little.
Seeing Richard Armitage on TV in my living room wasn’t ever part of the plan I had for fandom. I haven’t had normal TV access in a long time — since one had to get a digital receiver, which I never got. It always seemed like something I didn’t want to pay for. Dad, however, can’t live without it, so now it’s in my path and I admit that I now watch a decent amount more TV than I have in years. (I experience an odd attraction to HGTV.)
One consequence has been that, since Captain America: The First Avenger seems to be in regular rotation on some of the channels, I have seen the first part of that movie several more times. (I always switch channels after Kruger dies.) This was the one Armitage project that I never bought any media of. I had meant to look at it more closely but it always slipped on my priority list. Probably the dominant image of that film in my mind has been the look on Kruger’s face just before he detonates the bomb with the cigarette lighter, which to me seemed symptomatic of various things, not least Armitage’s unwillingness to let the niches and crannies of the smallest role remain unexamined.
The acting move I’ve noticed most on these brief “drop ins,” however, is a different one — it’s the chin moves. To wit: Kruger descends the stairs. There’s a lead in line about how the folks in Berlin will have reason to be afraid, and then the camera moves to focus on Kruger. Look what he does with his chin.
First, he points his chin to his right. Richard Armitage as Heinz Kruger in Captain America: The First Avenger (2011). My cap.
Then, he leads with the chin to his right, signaling his surveillance of the room. Richard Armitage as Heinz Kruger in Captain America: The First Avenger (2011). My cap.
This is the moment I love the most. Kruger with his chin fully extended to his right, an expression of both pride and dominance and (with the lips) of nonchalance. Richard Armitage as Heinz Kruger in Captain America: The First Avenger (2011). My cap.
Then, the resolute set of the chin indicating decision and determination. Richard Armitage as Heinz Kruger in Captain America: The First Avenger (2011). My cap.
Me + Richard Armitage 
This is a really great observation! I will watch RA even more closely the next time Captain America is on TV!
And you’re not the only one: I also switch channels after Kruger’s death …
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The story of these films has not been so interesting that it is worth more than one watch. (Whereas I will watch the Harry Potter films every time I run into them on TV.)
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I’ve only seen CA once too- and haven’t been tempted to revisit.
I was thinking of RA today as I went to see the film Florence Foster Jenkins at the Cremorne Orpheum- venue for the Popcorn Taxi event. As usual we entered through the back way and Mr Bolly accidentally tried to get in via the fire escape – which I always think must have been the way RA arrived and left.
Hugh Grant was playing Hugh Grant and I was mulling over how different HG and RA are as actors – although I suspect despite protestations that acting is all really a bit silly, HG cares a lot about his performance. But then there was a scene in which Florence laments that they never had a child, and the pain that flits across HG’s face is palpable. I don’t think I would have noticed that before RA.
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It’s silly but you don’t want to be caught out doing it badly … ?
Armitage has definitely changed how I see a lot of things. I never spent as much time thinking about acting before this.
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