"The interesting thing about Hain is that he's not a very interesting character. He's not fabulously clever. He's not a great policeman. He's not hugely charismatic. I'd describe him as a kind-of Chekhovian character. He's an ordinary bloke, to whom extraordinary things have happened. Which is quite hard to play, I have to say"
- Robbie Coltraine
About this Quote
This quote by Robbie Coltraine is referring to the character of Hain in a play or movie. Coltraine is saying that Hain is not a particularly fascinating character, as he is not fabulously creative, an excellent cop, or hugely charming. Rather, Coltraine describes Hain as a Chekhovian character, indicating he is a regular individual to whom remarkable things have actually happened. Coltraine implies that it is hard to play this kind of character, as it needs a specific level of subtlety and nuance. This quote highlights the importance of having characters in a story that are relatable and believable, even if they are not especially intriguing or interesting. It also shows the skill of an actor in being able to portray a character that is not especially remarkable, but still manages to capture the audience's attention.
"To be really great in little things, to be truly noble and heroic in the insipid details of everyday life, is a virtue so rare as to be worthy of canonization"
"Having soon discovered to be great, I must appear so, and therefore studiously avoided mixing in society, and wrapped myself in mystery, devoting my time to fasting and prayer"