Rupert Friend

May 27, 2009 by Maura Reilly
Filed under Actors 2Watch4

I’ll be honest with you, the first time I saw Pride and Prejudice (2005) I totally missed Rupert Friend as the questionable Wickham. I was totally engrossed with the yum that is Mr Darcy. (That reminds me, we need to do a profile on Matthew Macfadyen!) It wasn’t until I saw The Libertine (2004) just a few short months later that my full attention went to the tall, chiseled featured young Brit. Now Rupert is poised to make a splash in the indie art house circle with two high profile roles. Trust me, he will not go unnoticed any longer.

Up until recently Rupert’s played mostly supporting or co-star roles. I highly recommend the little gem Mrs Palfrey and that Claremont (2005). However other than a few shirtless scenes I say skip the largely forgettable Last Legion (2007) and Virgin Territory (2007). In 2008 Rupert gave a stirring and frightening performance as a Nazi lieutenant in The Boy in the Stripped Pyjamas that turned some heads and got some buzz. But it’s in two upcoming costume romances that Rupert is going to get some serious recognition. First up is The Young Victoria, (already released inthe UK) co-starring (girl crush) Emily Blunt as the title character and Rupert as the stalwart Albert. Then it’s the cougar inspirational film Cheri, with the lovely and timeless Michelle Pfeiffer as a retired courtesan out to educate Rupert’s callow Cheri. Oh I’ll be seeing this several times I think.

Rupert has this knack of picking really interesting roles, things that step outside of the pretty boy looks. He’s got a couple tough films coming up that should really showcase his not unconsiderable talents. This would be beneficial since to date he’s mostly been known as either an Orlando Bloom look alike or Keira Knightly’s main squeeze. I think in 2009 Rupert is going to be stepping out from the shadows and making his mark in theaters.

Fansite: Rupert Friend dot Net

Official Movie Sites:

Cheri

The Young Victoria

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