Regardless of the role type or size, Oliver Platt finds and delivers an easy emotional authenticity in every characterization. He is a great comedic actor, yet also has the presence and intensity to create and carry out the most intricately evil...
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Regardless of the role type or size, Oliver Platt finds and delivers an easy emotional authenticity in every characterization. He is a great comedic actor, yet also has the presence and intensity to create and carry out the most intricately evil and disturbed bad guy roles. Though known more for his extensive film work, Oliver Platt packs the same wallop into his TV appearances, be they a one-shot Guest Star or a Series Lead. The problem with the Series Leads roles seems to be that big fans of his--including the producers and creators of his shows--KNOW how very talented and versatile he is, but the writing is so formulaic and predictable, watching a Platt-led TV series is a lot like watching a grand eagle sit in a cage: you feel the power, and the immediacy of that power, but you never get to really see it soar and "stretch its wings." Neither TV comedy nor drama has used Platt's ability to its fullest, and in fact, seems to be limiting him, thus leading to dissatisfaction for the viewer. Yet he remains the "go to" guy for industry insiders with a comedy or a drama ready for production. Thank goodness. Maybe some day someone will hire writers up to the challenge of creating complexity and taking risks commeasurate with this actor's ability.