Prime Suspect...,why should Helen Mirren get the plaudits

[Dom Tuk]

This question refers not just to Mirren but almost all actors. In a gritty drama most of the finished product seen on the screen is the putting together of thousands of takes of the main actor in various poses/scenes with the director shouting out the type of emotion wanted. So in a 30 second bit of film Mirren would have been shot from various angles 100s of times and all she would have to do is spout the lines and appear gritty. The end product seen is the work of the director/producer and not really the actor who just did what was told. So why does the actor get the plaudits??

[Mattk]

I guess cos they create the realism.the men behind the camera are indeed highly skilled and perhaps unsung heroes of the industry but it is the actor who can make or break the programme with the power of their performance.

[NJOK]

They shouldn't get all of the plaudits. You're right to say that it's a team effort.

But trust me, you can polish a production as much as you want but if the actor isn't good, you really can't hide it. It stinks the place out.