Ringing the Change

Reflecting on the remarkable journey of Simon Kinnear, I find myself deeply moved by his resilience and humility. Despite gracing the stage with legends like Trevor Nunn and Gregory Doran, and appearing in popular series such as “Years and Years” and “Count Arthur Strong,” Kinnear does not view his success as a seamless climb up the ladder. Instead, he acknowledges the struggles that came with it, expressing that it was far from effortless.

Add The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power to your watchlist.

Throughout my multifaceted acting journey encompassing film, television, and stage, I’ve donned the roles of Hamlet, Iago, a British prime minister, and the head of MI6. I’ve portrayed Lord Lucan, Denis Thatcher, and Karl Marx – yet, there’s one character I haven’t played: an enigmatic, ancient forest dweller with a towering beard, eccentric clothing, and a predilection for magical tunes.

As a movie critic, I’ve always found myself in the realm of reality, but now, I’m stepping into the enchanting world of fantasy with Amazon Prime’s “The Rings of Power.” The second series introduces Ian McKellen as Tom Bombadil, a character that marks a significant departure from his previous roles. Over a steaming cup of coffee in a bustling Soho hotel, he shared his excitement about this new adventure. “I enjoy exploring uncharted territories,” he confided, “from large-scale action films to comedic sitcoms, dramatic television series to Shakespearean plays. However, venturing into the realm of fantasy has always been a mystery I’ve yet to unravel – it was never my forte.”

Kinnear conversed with the showrunners who outlined the character to him. Upon sharing this information with his partner (actor Pandora Colin), she expressed, “He’s the most compelling character from the entire book.” Intrigued, he delved into the chapters featuring this character and found him fascinating. The character exudes a cheerful optimism, yet there’s an undercurrent suggesting he has witnessed all of life and understands what lies ahead – giving him a sense of what may unfold in the future as well.

Ringing the Change

Beyond their prominent beards, Bombadil and Kinnear exhibit some distinct characteristics. Bombadil, as described by Tolkien, is ageless, while Kinnear is 46; Bombadil resides in Middle-earth while Kinnear dwells in London. However, they both possess a similar trait, as per Kinnear, they are both calm and unperturbed by trivial matters, rarely getting stressed or flustered, even during times of high pressure. This trait, which Kinnear has carried since his childhood and more recently during the Covid pandemic, has proven to be extremely beneficial.

Rory Kinnear, born in 1978, spent his formative years in Twickenham, south-west London, surrounded by two elder sisters and parents who were both actors. His mom, Carmel Cryan, starred in EastEnders, while his dad, Roy Kinnear, was a renowned comedian, recognized for his roles on the satirical 60s show That Was the Week That Was and as Veruca Salt’s father in Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory (1971). As a child, Rory often accompanied his dad to record shows like Blankety Blank, meeting personalities such as Les Dawson (whom he admired greatly) and Sooty. His childhood was filled with joy – he enjoyed reading, sports, and having fun. However, Roy Kinnear’s last filming session marked a significant turning point.

I was desperate for Dad’s story to not ruin my life

In the scorching summer of 1988, when Rory was ten years old, his father tragically passed away following a fall from a horse in Spain during the filming of The Return of the Musketeers. Today, he reflects on the profound influence it had on him, stating, “It shapes your perspective on life.” A year after his father’s demise, he recalls watching one of his shows and feeling the raw pain and longing for someone who was gone.

It appears Kinnear confided that he has acquaintances who similarly experienced the loss of a parent at an early age, and they each seemed to be affected by this event in varying ways. This, it seems, was something that caused him concern during that period. “I was anxious for his tale not to derail my life,” he admits. “I recognized that I had a relatively secure lifestyle. I had numerous things where I had struck the jackpot. I had everything one could ask for – a caring family, a circle of friends who supported me, and a school that ensured I was well taken care of.”

Furthermore, he persisted in his pursuit. Having attended St Paul’s School in west London, Kinnear then studied English at Balliol College, Oxford. Later, he honed his acting skills at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art. His passion for acting stemmed from people praising him for it, as he felt an innate affinity towards it and relished the attention-grabbing aspect of it.

Glancing from afar, Kinnear’s professional path may appear seamless – collaborating with renowned stage figures like Trevor Nunn, Nicholas Hytner, and Gregory Doran, followed by appearances in TV series such as Russell T Davies’ “Years and Years” and comedies like “Count Arthur Strong.” One might ponder if it felt just as effortless for him during those moments.

He admits, “It’s not as if I’ve struggled to climb up,” and in an environment where connections matter significantly – being the son of two well-known actors – does he believe he’s reaped the benefits of nepotism? “I understood that if people wanted to talk to me early on in my career, it was likely due to my family ties,” he explains. “However, I don’t think it helped me secure jobs.”

One significant position that earned Kinnear international acclaim was portraying MI6 Chief of Staff Bill Tanner in the final four Bond movies. Being part of such a massive and cherished series, according to him, was a steep but enlightening experience.

With Bond, you don’t get a script; you’ve no idea what your role is

He admits, “You aren’t given a script, so you don’t know your part.” On my first day filming with Judi Dench, before a take I thought, ‘Oh my goodness, everyone will see this…,’ and I promptly messed up. It’s important to try to ignore all the external distractions.”

After his father’s accident, Kinnear is particularly passionate about discussing safety in film production. He often emphasizes that: “On a set, people may find themselves under pressure of time and budget constraints, leading them to do things they aren’t completely comfortable with.” This, he believes, is an issue worth addressing. He never hesitates to express his concerns, stating openly, “I will always voice if I don’t feel safe doing something. It’s important for everyone to understand that no scene is worth the risk – nothing compares to what happened to me.”

As a movie enthusiast, I’ve walked through some of life’s toughest trials – losing my father at a tender age and my sister Karina during the pandemic, an experience that fueled my passionate commentaries on the Conservative government’s response to the crisis in The Guardian. Yet, despite these hardships, I maintain a spirit of hope and positivity. In the depths of sleep, 36 years after his passing, I can still find myself embraced by my late father in vivid dreams. It’s a remarkable ability we humans possess – to tap into our imaginative powers and create such profound connections.

Kinnear attributes some of his power to the captivating realms created by authors such as JRR Tolkien, even though he himself isn’t fond of fantasy literature. He now understands why The Lord of the Rings has endured its lasting popularity over the years.

As a lover of cinema, I find myself drawn to the unique realms crafted by J.R.R. Tolkien. They’re different enough to spark curiosity, yet comfortingly familiar, creating a sense of continuity and coziness. These stories serve as an escapist haven, which is at the heart of art – offering escape or reflection, or even both at times.

2024-08-23 18:34

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