David Harbor criticizes method acting and those who practice it: “it’s nonsense”

Recently, Hollywood method actors have sparked controversy for how far they are willing to go for a film, such as Jared Leto’s insistence on walking on crutches the entire time to prepare for ‘Morbius’.

What is methodical practice and why is it so criticized?

According to the book The Method: How the Twentieth Century Learned to Act by Isaac Butler, method acting is “a series of techniques and exercises designed to connect the actor with himself and his own idiosyncrasies.” That is, actors who use such techniques are trying to bridge the gap between their character and their own personality.

Despite the popularity of this term, several experienced actors such as Will Poulter or Mads Mikkelsen have expressed their disagreement with method acting because they consider it excessive, unnecessary and even disrespectful to other members of the production.

David Harbor vs. Method Acting

Another star who isn’t into method acting is David Harbour, a 47-year-old actor recognized for his work on “Stranger Things” and the MCU film “Black Widow.”

In an interview with “GQ”, the actor admitted that he was professionally trained as a method actor, but today he no longer believes in this technique and does not use it during filming.

“When I was younger, it was very embarrassing, but I remember playing this famous Scottish king (Macbeth) and saying, ‘I’m going to kill a cat’ or ‘I’m going to kill something to find out what it feels like.’ he likes to kill.” Actually, I didn’t, apparently. Method acting is not only stupid, it’s dangerous and doesn’t really produce good work,” Harbor said.

Asked by ‘GQ’ what he thought of great actors like three-time Oscar winner Daniel Day-Lewis using method acting, Harbor replied that he thought he was a great professional, but when he explained the acting process it sounded “nonsense”.

Despite not believing in method acting, David Harbor admitted to ‘GQ’ that he lost a lot of weight to reprise his role as Jim Hopper in ‘Stranger Things 4’ after the character was imprisoned for months in a Russian labor camp. so it was normal. to lose some of his muscle.

“I lost about 80 pounds in season 3. he weighed about 270 and when we shot (season 4) he weighed around 190,” Harbor said.

Although he confided in the magazine that his secret to losing weight so quickly was intermittent fasting and Pilates, the actor assured that he will not subject his body to such a drastic change again.

Source: univision