James McAvoy is magnetic in caustic class comedy

DIGITAL SPY
By Kate GoodacreWednesday,
Jan 28 2015, 7:01pm EST

Serena Evans as Lady Claire, James McAvoy as Jack and Kathryn Drysdale as Grace

Originally penned in an era between the Profumo and Jellicoe political scandals, Peter Barnes's The Ruling Class is a caustic, uncompromising and deeply underrated character study. Anyone who may have feared that its notions of rigid hierarchy, polite expectation, jumped-up patriotism and reactionary politics would be outdated in the 21st century need not worry.

Trafalgar Transformed's artistic director Jamie Lloyd has reunited with James McAvoy for The Ruling Class following their successful reinterpretation of Macbeth at Trafalgar Studios in early 2013, and McAvoy's troubled Jack - who becomes the 14th Earl of Gurney after his father dies in an unusual accident - is a supremely skilled orator.

Diagnosed as a paranoid schizophrenic, the 14th Earl believes he is another kind of Lord entirely, returning to the family seat after seven years away proclaiming himself to be the resurrection and the life. Jack argues his case with the skill and duplicity - deliberate or otherwise - of a politician on the Radio 4 Today program, most notably when he's trying to convince his family that his fictional wife actually exists in a bid to avoid being married off.

McAvoy clearly relishes the opportunity to work with a surreal script packed with puns, innuendo and intricate wordplay, and his silver-tongued delivery and performance oozes with the kind of easy charm that these days wins votes and election to the seat of power. He breaks the fourth wall at regular intervals with a glint in his eye, at one point quipping: "What a lovely crowd. God bless you."

Mental illness doesn't care for class or background or breeding, and for all of the mania so skilfully and physically portrayed by McAvoy, it's the quieter moments that leave the greatest impact.

When Jack laments that his greatest regret is his "many wasted years", it's sentiment that may well resonate with many who have experienced the black dog's indiscriminate grip first-hand. The 14th Earl's quiet crisis at the end of the first act as all his safety mechanisms collapse around him, his responsibilities as a husband and father really hit home, and the brutal, real world around him reveals itself, is utterly chilling. You can't help but feel for him in that moment.

Elsewhere Joshua McGuire - recently seen as John Ruskin in Mike Leigh's Mr Turner - is note-perfect as simpering, snivelling, self-serving Conservative politician Dinsdale, Jack's cousin, while Anthony O'Donnell (as communist Gurney family butler Daniel Tucker) and Elliot Levey (Jack's psychiatrist Dr Herder) also turn in magnificent performances.


Read more: http://www.digitalspy.com/celebrity/review/a624851/the-ruling-class-review-james-mcavoy-is-magnetic-in-caustic-class-comedy.html#~p2NjOlEBkshhBH#ixzz3QFSgP7fd 
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James McAvoy: US doesn't get normal Brits

BELFAST TELEGRAPH
December 11, 2014

James McAvoy has explained he doesn't think his recent film Filth did well in the US because audiences there find it difficult to relate to working class people who aren't American.

The Disappearance Of Eleanor Rigby actor said he thought that US viewers struggled with British projects that weren't traditional costume dramas, such as the adaptation of Irvine Welsh's crime comedy novel Filth.

He said of Filth's limited success across the pond: "It's always been difficult. It's not the first time selling something that's very of its nature and very of its country.

"This isn't a bad thing by the way, but if we're selling costume dramas or we're selling that kind of thing, then they seem to go for it, but if you're selling stuff about working class people, they've got to be 'American' for them to get it, and it's always been like that.

"I can't think of too many films that have broken out there massively and become commercial hits. What we always hope is that we can make our money back in our own country, which is not often the case. We're really pleased that in the country that bought it, the people got it, and they got it big as well, which is really great."


READ MORE HERE: http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/entertainment/film-tv/news/mcavoy-us-doesnt-get-normal-brits-30803776.html

Watch James McAvoy And Michael Fassbender's 'X-Men' Impressions (Patrick Stewart and Ian McKellen)

ET CANADA
By DAVID HUMPHREYS
6/2/2014 at 5:07 PM ET



In order to play Professor X and Magneto in X-Men: Days of Future Past, James McAvoy and Michael Fassbender had to study old footage of Sir Patrick Stewart and Sir Ian McKellen, who play the older versions of the two characters.

As the below video demonstrates, they perhaps studied the footage a little too closely. Asked by Stewart and McKellen to share their impressions, Fassbender says "Three days as the crow flies" in a pitch perfect Gandalf voice, then launches into a word for word recreation of a speech that McKellen delivered in front of the Royal Shakespeare Company about Macbeth in 1979. McAvoy, meanwhile, says "Logan, haven't you got a lesson to teach?" in a way that makes Stewart slap his knee in disbelief.

It's easy to see why McAvoy and Fassbender decided to only loosely channel Stewart and McKellen in the film rather than do the exact imitation you see in the video. Had they taken the latter approach, Days of Future Past would have been an early contender for funniest movie of the year.


READ MORE HERE: http://www.etcanada.com/blogs/etc_98888/watch-james-mcavoy-and-michael-fassbenders-x-men-impressions/film/

Michael Fassbender, James McAvoy and Hugh Jackman - GRAHAM NORTON SHOW

James McAVoy: Empire Awards: Scots film star James McAvoy crowned Best Actor for role in Filth

DAILY RECORD
Mar 30, 2014 20:53 By Brian McIver



SCOTS Star James McAvoy is the toast of the movie world after being crowned Best Actor at the Empire Awards.

The actor won for his part as corrupt Edinburgh copper Bruce Robertson in the hit Irvine Welsh adaptation Filth and immediately paid tribute to fans for the award.

He said: “You’re faced with a quandary when you’re nominated for an award- do you come up with a speech or not? I’ve opted not, but I love you all.

“Thanks very much and get on ye!”

McAvoy who was controversially snubbed at this year’s BAFTA awards, where he was not even nominated despite winning huge acclaim for his performance in the film directed by Jon S. Baird.

The 34-year-old Glasgow born actor’s win adds to the British Independent Film Award he won in December, and he last night thanked the Empire readers for the latest honour.

READ MORE HERE: http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/entertainment/celebrity/empire-awards-scots-film-start-3303382

‘Frankenstein’ Release Date Pushed Back Nine Months: Good Sign or Bad? See Daniel Radcliffe With New Long Hair!

KDRAMA STARS
By Staff Writer | Mar 25, 2014 04:21 PM EDT

'Frankenstein' starring Daniel Radcliffe and James McAvoy has had its release date pushed back by nine months. Originally set to open on January 2015, the movie's premiere has been moved back to October 2nd, just before Halloween. Often times, when films' releases are pushed back so dramatically, one has to wonder whether there are major issues in the editing, casting, writing, etc. The time can be used for reshoots, rewrites, and even recasts. However, in the scenario with 'Frankenstein,' other factors may be at play.

In the world of Hollywood, January is the 'dumping ground' on the movie release calendar. This is where studios will place release dates for movies that they feel will not do very well. Therefore, if Fox is moving 'Frankenstein' to October, it is possible that they believe the movie will be a Halloween hit!
This new take on 'Frankenstein,' based on Mary Shelley's classic novel of the same name, is said to tell the story from the point of view of the mad scientist Dr. Frankenstein's assistant Igor (played by a long haired Daniel Radcliffe); the film focuses more on Igor's relationship with Dr Frankenstein (McAvoy) rather than on the monster itself. The film is directed by Paul McGuigan with Max Landis helming the screenplay.


READ MORE HERE: http://www.kdramastars.com/articles/18131/20140325/frankenstein-release-date-daniel-radcliffe-movie.htm

'X-Men Days Of Future Past' Plot Spoilers: James McAvoy Faces Future Self! 'Filth' Star Needs A Reason To Go Bald!

KPOP STARZ
By Staff Writer | March 03, 2014 12:26 PM EST



"X-Men: Days Of Future Past" lives up to its perplexing name. The time travel reference is obvious, and of course there would be a meeting of past and future selves-but only for Charles Xavier, aka Professor X.

James McAvoy was introduced as the younger version of Charles Xavier in "X-Men: First Class." However, as director Bryan Singer takes over, he brings the whole gang-perhaps for some closure before the torch is finally passed. But for McAvoy, the role comes full circle, as he winds up face-to-face with his future self, played by Patrick Stewart.

McAvoy spoke to Collider on their set visit to share his thoughts on the experience:

"It's great to do a scene with Patrick Stewart, I would imagine.

McAvoy: Yeah.

It's weird, I also would imagine, to do a scene with Patrick Stewart where you're the same character.

McAvoy: Kinda, yeah. But we're very different interpretations of that character, by nature of the fact that we're very different times in that character's life.  With me and him, it's different, because we're at very different times in his life. And also, it's weird, because when I took over the role of Charles, I never thought that I'd be working with him. I never thought I'd give a similar performance to him. I certainly never thought that I'd be giving a very different performance to him to his face. Kind of going like, "Yo, what you got, man? Show me your big nose! We've got big noses together!" There's like a profile shot with both our noses together. Conk to conk. I think he wins slightly, but they tell me that your nose grows with age, so by the time I'm his age I think I'll be knocking the shit out of it in the nose wars."

READ MORE HERE: http://www.kpopstarz.com/articles/81964/20140303/x-men-days-future-past-plot-spoilers-james-mcavoy.htm

James McAvoy misses out on well deserved BAFTA nomination

DAILY RECORD
By Rick Fulton
9 January, 2014

James McAvoy (right), author Irvine Welsh (left) and director Jon Baird (centre) arrive at premiere of 'Filth' in Edinburgh

JAMES McAVOY missed out on a BAFTA nomination for Filth yesterday – sparking a furious reaction from co-star Martin Compston.

There was no best actor nod for the 34-year-old Scot – who plays a drug-addled policeman – with Tom Hanks, Leonardo DiCaprio, Christian Bale, Bruce Dern and Chiwetel Ejiofor on the shortlist.

Angry Compston, 29, tweeted: “Not only was James McAvoy in Filth best performance of last year, it was one of best I’ve seen in my life.”

Irvine Welsh, who wrote the book the film was based on, said: “Don’t see what else James McAvoy could do on-screen. “Inspired to get back to work. Disappointments are the greatest motivators.”


READ MORE HERE: http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/entertainment/celebrity/scots-actor-martin-compston-takes-3002607

I want to keep my private life private: James McAvoy

INDIAN EXPRESS
3 October, 2013

'X-Men: First Class' star James McAvoy likes to keep his family away from media attention.

The 34-year-old actor feels grateful for not been stalked by paparazzi, reported Daily Express.

"I think people are quite used to the fact I don't talk about my private life and the paparazzi don't usually bother me," McAvoy said.

"I get stopped in the street now and then, but people are nice and I don't mind that, I've never minded that. All I want to do is keep my private life private, my relationship and having a child and all that kind of stuff," he added.

READ MORE HERE;  http://www.indianexpress.com/news/i-want-to-keep-my-private-life-private-james-mcavoy/1176293/

James McAvoy: Movie review: Filth (5 stars)

DAILY RECORD
By Garry McConnachie
September 23, 2013

ADAPTING an Irvine Welsh novel for the big screen can be fraught with danger. Especially following the outstanding Trainspotting.

Some have tried - and failed - to make the transition work. Most recently Rob Heydon's Ecstasy was met with critical and public derision.

However, Scots director Jon S Baird could be set to step out from the shadow of Danny Boyle's 1996 effort with Filth - one of the most ballsy and in-your-face black comedies to hit the big screen in quite a while.

Those who have read the book will know all about the debauched exploits of Detective Sergeant Bruce Robertson (James McAvoy). For those who haven't, he's an Edinburgh police officer. To say he's an extreme character would be doing him a disservice. Happy to snort coke on the job, sleep with a colleague's wife and manipulate anyone who gets in his way, Bruce doesn't seem to have any boundaries.

With a detective inspector promotion in the offing, Bruce is tasked with leading a case involving the murder of a Japanese student in the capital. However, his extra-curricular activities begin to get in the way. Add to this is his attempts to be reconciled with his wife and daughter and this is no teddy bears' picnic.

It's worth starting with the obvious. Filth is explicit, OTT and, quite often, surreal. This isn't a film for the easily offended or the weak of heart. Much of what happens on screen is jaw-dropping in its absurdity. But all of it works a treat down to a bizarre cameo that's worth admission money on its own. Bruce is such a big character that everything he does is amplified. Dishevelled and constantly drunk, he's not the shy retiring type.

READ MORE HERE: http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/entertainment/movies/movie-dvd-reviews/movie-review-filth-2294907

James McAvoy confused by some roles

STV
Bang 22 September 2013 16:00 BST

James McAvoy sometimes finds himself in roles where he ''doesn't know what the f**k'' he's going to do.

The actor admits he can't always envision a part just by reading the script, but he gets a great feeling when one immediately leaps out at him, such as his current film, 'Filth'.

He said: ''Sometimes when you read a script you don't start getting ideas and that can be slightly worrying. I have done jobs where I think, 'I don't know what the f**k I'm going to do,' and you just get there on the day and make it work. But with 'Filth' every single scene just presented so many ideas and I was inspired immediately.''

READ MORE HERE: http://entertainment.stv.tv/film/328506-james-mcavoy-confused-by-some-roles/

James McAvoy gets Filth-y

SCREEN DAILY
17 September, 2013 | By Wendy Mitchell

Filth certainly shows James McAvoy like we’ve never seen him before: smoking, drinking, snorting, shagging, cursing, punching, and any other form of misbehaviour you can imagine.

In the adaptation of Irvine Welsh’s book, McAvoy plays Scottish policeman Bruce Robertson, investigating a murder, missing his wife, seeking a promotion and generally behaving badly.

The underlying mental troubles that lead to the bad behaviour were what drew in McAvoy. “It was a portrayal of someone with severe mental health issues that’s not just sad and depressing,” McAvoy said after a London screening last night. “It was about finding the thing that makes him not just a surreal caricature which is his fear.”

Ultimately, despite the despicable behaviour, the filmmakers want the audience to care for Bruce. “We’re trying to make you feel for him, that should be the shocking thing.”

Director Jon S Baird said he relished the challenge of “making this despicable character, if not likable, followable.”


READ MORE HERE: http://www.screendaily.com/home/blogs/james-mcavoy-gets-filth-y/5060515.article?blocktitle=COMMENT-&-BLOGS&contentID=40298

James McAvoy Is The Doctor To Daniel Radcliffe's Igor In New Frankenstein Movie

CINEMA BLEND

Author: Katey Rich

published: 2013-07-25 13:58:11

You know how there are all these rumors about how Tom Cruise hires co-stars who are willing to slouch or who are also vertically challenged so he doesn't look so short onscreen? Those are the kind of crazy lengths you have to go to when you're a very small A-lister, but James McAvoy and Daniel Radcliffe have come up on a much easier solution-- find short actors you like, team up, look totally tall in comparison to each other onscreen. Deadline reports that McAvoy, who is 5'7, has been cast opposite Radcliffe, who is 5'5, in a new adaptation of Frankenstein. Yes, another one. Radcliffe will play the assistant Igor-- no word on whether it comes with a hunchback this time-- and McAvoy will be the titular doctor.

Radcliffe first signed up for the project back in February, and casting for the Frankenstein role started last month, with up-and-comers like Toby Kebbell and Jack Huston eyed for the part. McAvoy is considerably more famous, and already has another very successful franchise at the same studio with X-Men: First Class and the upcoming Days of Future Past. It's surprising when a studio spends some time eyeing up-and-comers before deciding to stick with a more established actor, especially one who's likely far more expensive, but perhaps the appeal of teaming up Professor X and Harry Potter was too much to resist.

READ MORE HERE: http://www.cinemablend.com/new/James-McAvoy-Doctor-Daniel-Radcliffe-Igor-Frankenstein-Movie-38716.html

Full Trailer for FILTH Starring James McAvoy movie news | 10 Jul 2013 |

New trailer for the adaptation of Irvine Welsh's controversial dark novel about a crooked Edinburgh copper, hitting Irish cinemas Oct 4th.

READ MORE HERE:  http://www.movies.ie/movie_news/1190877/Full_Trailer_for_FILTH_Starring_James_McAvoy

James McAvoy’s tough past ‘perfect’ for bent cop (SCOTTISH EXPRESS) By: Greg Christison

The 34-year-old Last King of Scotland actor was cast to play bigoted and corrupt detective sergeant Bruce Robertson whose addictions to sex, drugs and alcohol are portrayed vividly throughout the film.

But Peterhead-born director Jon S Baird admitted he initially presumed McAvoy - who was brought up on a rough housing estate in Glasgow's Drumchapel - would be too "middle-class" for the role.

Recalling when he and producer Ken Marshall were first introduced to the father-of-one at a London hotel in early 2011, Mr Baird said: "I remember the day we met so well.

"Irvine, Ken and I were waiting for him to arrive, and in walked James wearing a baseball cap, looking about 15-years-old. 

"Irvine and Ken left us together and as soon as we started talking about the character, James completely changed into this grizzled, middle aged cop."

He continued: "He started telling me about his tough upbringing and life in Glasgow growing up with his grandparents. I originally thought James was a middle-class Scotsman but he's definitely not. He's far edgier than people might first imagine.

"McAvoy's intelligence, humour and edge, but more importantly his comprehension of mental illness, immediately put him in a league of his own, and the hunt for Bruce Robertson had come to an end."

In the movie, McAvoy - also known for his roles in X-Men and Atonement - plays Robertson, a racist, homophobic and sexist Edinburgh policeman who will stop at nothing to get what he wants.

READ MORE HERE: http://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/413000/James-McAvoy-s-tough-past-perfect-for-bent-cop

James McAvoy Does Many Disgusting Things in Filthy Trailer by Natalie Finn (E)

 

James McAvoy's latest film is aptly named.

In the international trailer for Filth, based on the novel by Trainspotting author Irvine Welsh, the usually adorable Scottish actor is a not-that-hot mess as Bruce Robertson, a detective who's more punk than peace officer.

For the course of two minutes and 20 seconds, McAvoy smokes, drinks, does and deals drugs, throws up, gets slapped, masturbates, makes a photocopy of his junk, has rough sex with multiple people, unzips his fly in front of a very young woman, and otherwise offers up his best Bad Lieutenant impression.

READ MORE:http://www.eonline.com/news/427831/james-mcavoy-does-many-disgusting-things-in-filthy-trailer?cmpid=rss-000000-rssfeed-365-topstories&utm_source=eonline&utm_medium=rssfeeds&utm_campaign=rss_topstories

Film Geeks at the Theatre – James McAvoy on the Differences Between Stage and Screen May 15, 2013 By Ben Mortimer (HEY U GUYS UK)

Not all that long ago there was a pretty clear distinction between a theatre actor and a film actor. Once in a blue moon you’d see an A-lister getting back to their roots with a role at the National Theatre, but on the whole the closest you’d get to a well-known thesp on a West End stage was Jason Donovan in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dream Coat.

Recently, though, things have been changing. London theatre-goers can see Luke Treadaway, Brian Cox, John Simm, Roger Allam, Zoe Wanamaker, Rupert Everett and Helen Mirren. And that’s just the ones that immediately sprang to mind.

With this in mind, we’ve decided to do something a little different at HeyUGuys: an occasional column looking at the cross over between the worlds of stage and celluloid. We’re calling it ‘Film Geeks at the Theatre.

READ MORE: http://www.heyuguys.co.uk/film-geeks-at-the-theatre-james-mcavoy-on-the-differences-between-stage-and-screen/

James McAvoy feels the flower power as Professor X (THE SCOTTISH SUN)

FLOWER POWERFUL ... James McAvoy as Professor X

By JONATHAN WHITELAW

Published: 10 hrs ago 

JAMES MCAVOY - wearing a floral shirt and high waisted bell bottoms, the 34-year-old actor looks more funky than fantastic on the set of new comic book movie X-Men: Days of Future Past.

McAvoy plays Professor Charles Xavier, leader of the X Men, in a role made famous by Patrick Stewart.

As a prequel to the earlier X Men movies, some of the action will be taking place in the 1970s, hence the change of mutant powers to flower power for the Glasgow born star.

The picture was tweeted by the movie’s director Bryan Singer, who noted the similarities between McAvoy and Al Pacino in the 1973 cop thriller Serpico.

READ MORE: http://www.thescottishsun.co.uk/scotsol/homepage/news/4925597/James-McAvoy-feels-the-flower-power-as-Professor-X.html

Happy Birthday, James McAvoy! (Michael Fassbender and James McAvoy favorite interviews)

James McAvoy

Actor

James McAvoy is a Scottish actor. He made his acting debut as a teen in 1995's The Near Room and continued to make mostly television appearances until the early 2000s. 

Born: April 21, 1979 (age 34), Glasgow

Height: 5' 7" (1.70 m)

Spouse: Anne-Marie Duff (m. 2006)

Upcoming movie: X-Men: Days of Future Past, Filth, Welcome to the Punch, Trance
Stage: Macbeth

Children: Brendan McAvoy

tegan6 - YouTube 

James McAvoy: Is this a phone I see before me? asks angry James McAvoy (HERALD SCOTLAND)

From giggling schoolchildren to chirping mobile phones, noises off have a rich history of drawing ire from actors on the stage.

Phil Miller

Arts Correspondent

Now Hollywood actor James McAvoy has become the latest to be visibly irked by activity from the audience.

During a performance of Macbeth in London, the Scots star saw a member of the audience was filming him with a mobile phone.

The Glasgow-born actor, who was playing the role of Shakespeare's Scottish king at the Trafalgar Studios, remonstrated with the man.

One witness said the actor shouted at him and asked him to stop filming.

"The poor fellow looked very embarrassed," a witness said.

Last night, a statement on behalf of the theatre said: "An audience member was caught filming by the actor James McAvoy.

"The filming disrupted the production of Macbeth, forcing James McAvoy to respond to the audience member by asking them to stop filming immediately.

"The production then continued as planned once the camera had been put away."

READ MORE: http://www.heraldscotland.com/news/home-news/is-this-a-phone-i-see-before-me-asks-mcavoy.20724053