My thing about Damian Lewis might sound a little blasphemous at first, so bear with me, ok? You know how much I love him. But it's not really about his looks. He’s not perfect-looking. Shut up, hear me out. I love the hair, love the eyes (!), the body (hello), and the overall impression is very pleasing to the eye. And he’s tall, which we tall girls like. But his face is otherwise just very nice and he has some dental issues. Sorry. It’s fine, it’s fine! I have come to see it as cute. YMMV, that’s just me. Let me put it this way. If he were stupid and not talented, but looked exactly the same, I could take him or leave him.
So how is he one of the hottest men I can think of? I think it’s everything together. The gestalt of him. First, he’s got mojo for daaaays. He seems beyond comfortable in his skin and has just the right amount of confidence. And it's clear that he’s smart. Not just smart smart, but he really knows what to do with what he’s got, in front of any kind of camera. You’ll see what I mean, if you don’t already, in the pics. I would imagine that photographers like him. Based on what I see, my guess is that he’s not in need of booze and fluffing.
He's got a wonderful physical presence. Each of DL's characters walks and moves just the way he should. I get most excited about how Crews moves, on Life, because he gets to really take the bod out for spin in a way that he can't in some other pieces. The walk, the leans, the cocking of the head, the way he holds himself, the way he holds a gun. Most of you read my enthusiasm for one of the episodes of Life this season, where I was all clappy over his makeout scene. I said, "You kiss just like Charlie Crews!" And, IMO, he did. It's a gift, the physical side of acting, and he has it. It doesn't come from the muscles, it comes from the head, and it's dead sexy.
Am I making my point? I feel like I'm not making my point. Which is...ok, you know that thing about how the brain is the most important sex organ? Yeah, he’s the worldwide spokesmodel for that.
There’s a lot going on in there, and that’s precisely why I love him as an actor, not just as icon material. He’s got a fantastic range: Life, Band of Brothers, Forsyte Saga, Keane, The Baker, Dreamcatchers *g*, etc…. So his characters are very different, but what many of them have in common is that there is something unseen. Something that the character is acting upon --- and we’re meant to know that --- but it’s something not spoken.
Think about how powerful a performance Dick Winters is, and how minimal it is. (You know how I love minimal.) Soames Forsyte is just made of repression, yet we “get” him somehow and even sympathize. Charlie Crews is often outwardly goofy and cheerful, but we never forget his depths and his motivations. Damian, as Charlie or Winters or Forsyte, stares into space and I’m riveted. No dialogue. Who needs it? Sometimes it's a look or a pause or a cock of the head or a minute change in expression. Sometimes you can't even really identify what it was that told you what you needed to know. In any case, it's always beautifully pitched. DL has that thing where he seems to know that if he thinks it, if he is it, it will come through on-screen.
So I’m saying the package is magnificent. Hey now, that’s not what I meant. Although...
Still reading and not scrolling? You really are my peeps, aren’t you. *sniff* Ok, go on, get outta here. Have fun….
I feel a little creepy for putting someone's little kid pictures up, but look at the way he's standing there! You can see it already.
Big Movie Star
Or a rock star. Hard to say.
This picture KILLS ME. It's my men in motion thing. A lean like that is what I live for.
*whimpers* I'm going to run out of flail before this thing is over.
Mr. Nice Guy
Cute. Is that Rhys Ifans?
Aw.
adorkable *g*
SWEATERS!
Well, mostly devastating eyes, but sweaters.
Why do I love this so? Somebody explain it to me.
Tease. He's a tease. That there is the definition of teasing. And I guess it's sorta his job. And it just gets worse, watch.
Unh.
LEATHER. Do you like my categories?
Look at all that ginger and all that ATTITUDE! It's like no one has ever tried that combination before.
HATS AND GLASSES.
Holy mother of god.
SUITS! This might be my favorite category.
One.
Two. OMFG.
Sex on a chair.
This photo responsible for many Impure Thoughts
Jackets. Come. Off.
Epic Collar Pop.
Walls. Just me? Ok.
NOW THAT'S JUST MEAN.
DID SOMEONE TELL YOU YOU'RE NICE, BECAUSE YOU ARE NOT.
Don't give me those eyes, YOU ARE NOT SOULFUL AND INNOCENT. You are an EYE FUCKER AND POSSIBLY SATAN.
Innocent? UNCONVINCING. Though you look kinda sweet just there.
Yeah, ok, I'm sorry. The Satan thing was over the line.
- Music:bewitched, bothered and bewildered, doris day

Comments
So glad to see you here! *hugs*
Yeah. I love his wife, but she's teeny. We tall girls want to just line up all the couples in the world and rearrange everybody so there are enough tall boys for US.
No fucking kidding.
Walls. Not just you. That is all.
Well. You know what I'm saying.
I keep trying to finish this comment and getting distracted. It really is the whole package with him, isn't it?
The cowboy hat's nice, huh? Bonus: neck porn.
*fans self*
Hee. Billy and Joe share a cowboy hat.
They do! It's because sexy punk rockers can't afford more than one. Also, they're fucking like bunnies.
ps. Can I snag a couple of these for icon making?
Edited at 2009-02-01 06:28 pm (UTC)
Speaking of which, I'd love to include credits but I don't have them. If anyone knows the photographers or publications, let me know. I need to make more of an effort to find out whose they are, cause I don't like feeling like I'm stealing.
Sigh. I miss Life.
I totally get what you mean. He's got that thing.
And I love that in almost every photo he's got that look... you just know he's thinking naughty things. And you really wish they involved you.
Damn, him.
Precisely what I'm talking about. He takes his looks and makes them so much more.
And, given that many of his characters are pretty straight-laced or reserved or at least under-served (sex-wise), I consider it a gift that he works the camera for us like that.
Compared to other actors, he has a lot of photos out there, and they're good, huh?
There's actually a pretty good fansite/gallery out there. I'll look for the link and post it here.
Ridiculous hotness is exactly it! I love the way you put that. Some of the pics are just pretty, but some of them make me want so say to him, "Oh COME ON!"
He has no pity. Satan, I tell you.
Edited at 2009-02-02 06:22 pm (UTC)
There is a contained quality to most of his performances that I find deeply compelling. Weird as it may sound while I find him to be at his hottest playing Charlie, and his most lovable as Winters, I find him the most desirable as Soames. Clearly I am unwell, but there is something about the painful need of the character (and the hatefulness of Irene) that makes me want to, um, do something for him.
Though I'd take Charlie over Soames, I do know what you mean. Forsyte is so interesting to me, mostly because of Soames/Irene's deeply disfunctional relationship AND because of their relationships to the viewers. I think the piece messes with us a little bit, in terms of our emotions and allegiances, culminating with a certian scene involving a bed and clothing. Given the that kind of depth and complexity, I think he was the perfect person to play that role.
I agree, by the way, that he is not exactly gorgeous in a conventional way. Which is good, as I have little use for pretty boys, and I think makes him more beautiful. It is like Christian Bale, feature for feature his face is not great, but put it together, and put some ideas behind it, and you have that rarest of commodities in film, masculine grace.
I think it can also be purposeful --- an actor skillfully creating a multi-layered character --- but when you have both a good guy and a subtle, complex performance that's the best. You get something like Soames Forsyte.
Can finding the sex in knitting be far behind? I think not.
There's actually another really cute shot from that same golf tournament. Must find.
And I really need to post the radio interview...you'll like it.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/rschapplep
What a great shot! He is amazing in front of a camera, isn't he? Thanks so much for bringing this here!
Yeah, I just broke open my Season 2 DVDs and watched some of it -- sad but worth it. I actually saw things I hadn't seen before. I'll really miss that show.
Thanks for coming by!
I just want to say thanks for this great and enjoyable read! Am German but watched Life in original language. So, your thread helped me through it! And: If I haven´t been a fan before I would have been it now!
Thanks so much!
This is why I leave my journal unlocked, so wonderful people like you may wander in. <3
When I read about the flattering pants exactly that was the moment you got me!
Again, thanks for all the pleasure!
thank you for this. *saves to memories*
*drool*
p.s. his eyes should be illegal. but i'm glad they're not.
Thanks!
I love you so much, even if I have to blame you for making me want to do nothing but stare at him all the time. Holy god.
Ha ha, yes, I know about getting lost in a picspam. Sorry about that. :)
Love love love the pics you have put up of him.