Morgan Freeman A Lifetime on Film
27th Starz Denver International Film Festival
by Clayton Woullard
The Metropolitan
President. Detective. Principal. Pimp. God.
The only thing these titles have in common is they're all roles Morgan Freeman has played. And he's played them well.
That's why Freeman was at the center of the closing ceremony of the 27th Annual Starz Film Festival Sunday at the Buell Theater, where he received the coveted Mayor's Lifetime Achievement Award given to an outstanding actor for his or her contribution to the world of film. This was best evidenced through the ensemble of clips from Freeman's varied career shown prior to Freeman's interview with Rocky Mountain News film critic Robert Denerstein.
"I will admit up front that assembling Mr. Freeman's clips was a lot of fun and a challenge as well," said Ron Henderson, co-founder and artist director of the Denver Film Society, the group that organizes the festival.
The clips showcased films from Freeman's distinguished career, which has spanned more than 40 years and includes more than 70 films. Some of his best performances were in films where he was not the star but where he held the scene together.
Morgan Freeman accepts the Mayor's Lifetime Achievement Award presented by Mayor John Hickenlooper Sunday night at the Buell Theatre during the closing of the 27th Starz Denver International Film Festival.
"When you work with a great ensemble of actors, things just sort of happen," Freeman said in his interview with Denerstein.
Despite frequent praise from the film critic and the audience, Freeman maintained humility that he said, in part, comes from his southern roots.
"For me, it was the best possible (coming from the South)," he said. "I always felt safe."
Those roots also helped guide him in his role as Hoke Colburn, the driver in "Driving Miss Daisy."
"I just knew who the character was," he said. "That character was built right on the page for me; it was just a matter of slipping into it."
When Freeman was dazzling Broadway as Hoke, Freeman got his real break with "Street Smart" (1987), in which he played a mean, but witty pimp with little patience.
His transition from stage to film wasn't strange for him at all.
"It was a natural move for me," he said. "I felt my time had come."
It probably helped that he was constantly immersed in film as a child, going to the movie theater three times a week.
"My thrust was always movies," he said. "I feel like I was born to do this."
He was also in love with Westerns as a child, so much that he wore a gun belt until he was 15 years old.
"I spent entire summers riding a broom handle," he said, delighting the audience.
So when actor/director Clint Eastwood called on him to co-star in the Academy Award-winning Western "Unforgiven" (1992), Freeman was elated.
"I don't care what it is," he said he told Eastwood, "you want me to play the horse, I'll do it."
Freeman said while he's been in the hands of many capable directors, Eastwood is his favorite for his determination and cool demeanor.
"Clint, on the set, and in life, he's quiet and unassuming," he said. "When he knows he has to tell a story he's going to do everything to tell it."
One popular performance not shown in the clip montage was Freeman's Detective Lt. William Somerset in 1995's "Se7en," a movie he said was in the hands of an intelligent director, David Fincher.
"I could see while he was telling (about the film) what exactly he was going for," Freeman said.
He said most of the time he doesn't like to take orders from directors, but that was a situation he was open to whatever Fincher wanted.
Freeman said he's often star struck, as he was playing alongside Tim Robbins in "The Shawshank Redemption" (1994). Freeman's Oscar-nominated role as inmate Red was another role he was thrilled to receive.
"Red is the whole thing, the controlling factor in the whole play," he said.
Much credit goes to his co-stars, Freeman said.
"You always owe whatever kudos you get for your work to those you work with," he said. "I always owe thanks to my colleagues."
But the night was about Freeman and honoring the actor for sharing his gift with the world.
After the interview, Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper presented the Mayor's Lifetime Achievement Award to the 67-year-old actor.
"Watching these clips, you recognize great actors hold our attention." Hickenlooper said to the audience.
The mayor ran through Freeman's cinematic accomplishments, establishing why he deserves the coveted award, and extending an invitation back to town.
"Throughout your distinguished career, you have enlightened us, you have informed us ... and many times provoked us," Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper said to Freeman before handing him the award. "Anytime you want to do a movie here in Denver, you give me a call."
Freeman wondered if he really deserved such an award.
"People have been asking me all day how I feel getting the Lifetime Achievement Award and my reaction is dubious," he said. "I'm young. Nevertheless, I accept it and I'm honored to do so." |
