Paul Bettany

While Christmas shopping in Target, I happened on the $9.99 DVD rack. I grabbed a copy of 2003's Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World, starring Russell Crowe. There's no question that this is Crowe's movie, as he is in fine form as Captain Jack Aubry, commander of the H.M.S. Surprise, intent upon his orders to "sink, burn or take as a prize" the French privateer Acheron. Crowe swaggers, shouts orders, and swash buckles.

For me, however, the best part of the movie is Paul Bettany's portrayal of Dr. Stephen Maturin. Bettany brings a quiet dignity to the role of ship's surgeon and captain's friend and confidant. He truly is the heart amid all the noise and bluster of this movie. He's no warrior, but he's no wimp, either. At one point, he must perform abdominal surgery on himself while looking into a mirror because there was simply no one else qualified. Yikes.

Dr. Maturin's dream was to spend time in the Galapagos, discovering new species, but "the requirements of the service" (that is, chasing after the Acheron, Capt. Aubrey's white whale), seem to always prevent him from doing so. He bears this disappointment with great dignity and stoicism but it is clear how greatly he is crushed by this loss. Bettany never oversells any of this; his performance is clear, yet subtle.

I first became aware of Paul Bettany in the anachronistic but very fun movie A Knight's Tale, in which he played Geoffrey Chaucer. This is a silly movie about a lowborn boy (Heath Ledger) who dreams of becoming a knight. Chaucer (yes, the famous poet Chaucer) becomes his herald in order to settle a gambling debt. The speeches that Bettany, as Chaucer, makes before the jousting matches are unbelievably funny.

Another one of Paul Bettany's famous roles was with Russell Crowe, in A Beautiful Mind. He played Charles, John Nash's friend who turned out to be imaginary.

He's an excellent actor that always brings something extra to his films.