Timothy Spall is THAT actor. Not a household name, but everyone's seem him somewhere. I suppose his most recognizable role would be that of the squirmish Peter Pettigrew (aka Wormtail) from HARRY POTTER, but he's been relegated to a dozen other supporting roles you'd recognize him in (THE LAST SAMURAI, SWEENEY TODD). Spall is about as reliable as they come, as you just buy into whatever he's selling. That's going to pay off, as he's the leading man in Mike Leigh's upcoming film, MR. TURNER, about the British painter J.M.W. Turner.
Take a look:
I can't say that I'm familiar with the source material, as it were, but I can guarantee that we'll get one solid performance from Timothy Spall. Given the UK release date for October 31st, I can definitely see this film drumming up some support (think THE KING'S SPEECH) this fall when our "award movie season" hits. Until then, we can enjoy the awkward side-hug at the 0:32 second mark in the trailer.
MR. TURNER, starring Timothy Spall, Dorothy Atkinson, and Karl Johnson, will be released sometime in 2014.