Better Call Saul - How Bob Odenkirk Perfected Jimmy McGill
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- Опубликовано: 27 май 2024
- This video essay analyzes Better Call Saul's lead performance- Bob Odenkirk as Jimmy McGill. It breaks down specific Better Call Saul scenes and the key acting habits of Bob Odenkirk. Better Call Saul was produced by Sony Pictures and is hosted on Netflix.
PATREON: / justanobservation
FAIR USE NOTICE:
This video may contain copyright material; the use of which has not been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. This material is made available under section 107 of the Copyright Act of 1976, allowance is made "fair use" for the purposes such as criticism, comment, review, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, education and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that otherwise might be infringing. All rights belong to its owners.
Timestamps:
0:00 Introduction
2:28 Hand Gestures
4:26 Emotional Suppression & Expression
7:38 Truth and Lies/Scene Breakdown
Music used:
Strut Funk by Dougie Wood
The Truth by Anno Domini Beats
Nevada City by Huma-Huma
Silk n Cashmere Riddim by Konrad OldMoney
Omission by Huma-Huma
Cumbia City by An Jone
#bettercallsaul #bobodenkirk #jimmymcgill 
Развлечения
There are performers out there that are destined for certain roles, and Saul Goodman was made for Bob Odenkirk
It's his vulnerability and humanity that sells it.
a great actor playing a good actor playing a bad actor
@@FlymanMS that kinda also works in nobody during some parts
Along with James gandolfini, Jon hamm, Bryan Cranston and mcconaghuey as rust cohle. All were born for those roles
@@nighTmareCSGO True Detective is such an underated show, and Matt McConaughey and Woody Harrelson are a combination made in heaven
Every character in this series has the perfect actor, never has a show captivated me so much that you forget you're watching a piece of fiction, it all feels so real.
That's why it sucks that Jeff is recast
@@Kigoz4Life the cab driver who makes Gene
I fail to believe this is just a show. This is a real story from a parallel universe for me.
The sopranos for me is still the GOAT!!!!....but BCS is Up there for sure....Also not forget the first 2 seasons of hannibal (a forgotten gem in today's overpopulated market)
@@taopaille-paille4992 the original Jeff actor sucked. However the new Jeff looks way too "nice"
_"LIGHTNING BOLTS SHOOT FROM MY FINGERTIPS!!!"_
Seriously one of the best scenes in the show. It depicts every aspect of Jimmy's character.
So crazy that Bob Odenkrik can actually shoot lightning!! Saul Goodman truly was made for this actor
I think what really made this show for me is the conflict between Jimmy and Chuck. Both actors play off brilliantly off one another and you really get a sense of Jimmy's pain, sadness and anger when he realizes the truth about his brother. It's just a brilliantly nuanced, destructive relationship that ultimately serves as the catalyst that creates Saul Goodman. The Jimmy and Chuck scenes were some of my favorites in all of tv.
Same dynamic as Anakin (Jimmy) and Obi-wan (Chuck), only if Obi-wan is a sith
Yeah. I feel like they killed Chuck too early. He was just too important to the show.
Spot on. I honestly was astonished with myself the moment I realized Chuck was actually the antagonist all along. But I also partly cared for his struggle the same way Jimmy did. Such wonderful gray areas of writing. I also truly believe they were brothers.
Yeah and they feel like real brothers
This is a pretty late reply but part of what I think makes this show so great is how far its range is. I personally love this show but not because of anything to do with Chuck or those first few seasons. The only episode I really like is when Chuck somewhat "proves" himself crazy in the courtroom. I enjoyed watching those seasons but I didn't enjoy it nearly as much as when I watched Breaking Bad. However in this last few seasons I feel like I am watching a show I would almost call better than Breaking Bad. The premise has slowly shifted away from Jimmy and become more about Saul. But he is still there and you see him very often. But the way it's all woven together and Chuck contributes to him getting there is masterfully written.
That swallowing thing is an incredible spot. So much of the Jimmy/Saul dynamic is about repression, and that right there is a physical representation of him burying those painful experiences deep down inside himself.
The fact they still had it in the direction too during the silent scene, when we see him denied by Hamlin in season 1.
I think being able to show repressed or mixed emotion is a true mark of good acting. It should be subtle enough that we believe other characters wouldnt pick up on it, but clear enough that the audience can tell. Bob nails it through the whole show, so much so that it recontextualises the Breaking Bad era Saul into a being a flawless disguise for a broken lonely man.
"As if he is swallowing a razor blade." That's brilliant.
It feels like Bob actually went through all of this. His acting is just too good. Every aspect of his performance embodies Jimmy making it seem like he isn’t acting.
I can't help but laugh whenever I see that clip of Jimmy looking around the marbled wall corner, it's so funny!
Love that shot
I’m a character actor and Bob has become one of my idols. Everything he’s done with Jimmy/Saul has been absolutely great. One thing I find interesting, it’s very small but it’s a testament to how effective an actor Bob is, is that most of that stuff you mentioned is turned on it’s head in the Gene scenes. Instead of exuberant and animated, he’s reserved and quiet. Instead of gesturing, he’s almost restrained to the point of being stiff (intentionally). Instead of talking a mile a minute, his tone is slower and more measured. Instead of his eyes displaying the confidence of a salesman even as he’s selling bullshit, they’re tinged with a constant anxiety, sadness and fear. To develop an entire different vocal tone and body language for those scenes is just a whole other level. He plays both sides of the character at two very different points in his life beautifully. And one of my favorite moments from that whole thing is when the Old Jimmy comes back for just a moment, when he tells the kid shoplifter he just ratted out to the cops to get a lawyer as they’re taking him away. It just highlights the contrast and how far Jimmy has fallen.
I just want you to know how much I love character actors. You guys are ground on which excellent films are made. I pay a lot of attention to you guys.
The Amazon Prime series Bosch had some of the finest character actors ever. Law & Order had a lot of excellent character actors too. What was neat about Law & Order they recast the same character actors in very different roles over the whole series. They kept them working and eligible for SAG/AFTRA benefits. They showed their range.
I hope you keep working and have a long fruitful career.
I found a lot of this really interesting, a great breakdown of Odenkirk’s performance! One thing I read differently is Jimmy’s motivation to go to the insurer. I believe he is there to get his cancelled, which is why we read that moment as genuine. However; his motivation changes when he realises he can’t get the refund. In Jimmy’s mind, Chuck’s the reason he’s broke right now, so he decides to bring him down with him. This wasn’t a con from the moment he walked through the door, this was improvised, spur of the moment sabotage
Could be both, they say the best way to tell a lie is to use the truth. It's very in character for Jimmy to have already thought of revealing Chuck's illness to the insurance company, and also be distressed about his own insurance going up and ripping him off. He's crying about his own problems and at the same time using those genuine emotions as a tool to lie and manipulate others.
It was confirmed by the writers that it was improvised.
I think he’s smart enough to know he wouldn’t get a refund
@@ethanbuttimer6438 My problem with the theory that this premeditated is that it doesn’t explain why he goes to the insurers at all. Jimmy could make an anonymous phone call to the insurance company. He could post them the transcripts. He could go in, say “Chuck McGill is crazy, i thought you ought to know,” and be gone. I imagine people will assume that it was for the joy of the scheme - but you can see it in Odenkirk’s performance. This is not comfortable for him. He’s desperate to get his insurance cancelled. He cries real tears when he finds out his insurance is going up 150%! The very final moment of the episode says it all - his frown contorts and twists for a moment, even he isn’t sure what he’s done is a good idea, but he gives himself a self reassured nod of “no, that was fair game.”
But, your interpretation is your interpretation. The show is packed with moments like this and I’m sure there are many more that we would disagree on.
I agree. If Jimmy had gotten a refund on his insurance, he wouldn't have tried to get Chuck's insurance cancelled.
Love how they turned a comic relief into a biblical reference of Cain and Abel in the prequel.
You make probably the best video essays on cinema and TV in terms of quality/video length ratio, they are so precise and rich with great observation, not a single second wasted. Bravo!
Thank you very much!
@@JustanObservation Completely concur. Wow. I suspect Jimmy's initial intention in the meeting with the insurance agent was to hope against hope that he would get a refund but then realised his opportunity to get back at Chuck. In any event, the scene is brilliantly written. If one listens to the insider podcast one is astonished at the amount of preparation the writers, directors and actors put into the show. A true labour of love.
Honestly one of my favorite things in video essays is the conciseness. It shows someone really knows what they are trying to say!
Bravo observation
Bob should have multiple Emmys for his performance as Jimmy McGill on BCS. He puts it all out there, from serious drama to pathos to physical comedy.
Not to mention how he died on set and came back to life to finish filming the show.
I am beyond happy to see you post your take on my most beloved show of all time. Can't wait to watch the video in full. Thank you for your excellent work time and time again.
Thank you brother!
if bob doesn’t win an emmy next year it’s a crime
Surely he has to!
@@JustanObservation I beg to differ. He won’t but Rhea Seehorn will because Saul in 6A really took a backseat and was Kim’s puppet at that point while Kim got to show all of her acting prowess. And we all know that Emmy loves show(wo)manship.
@@nont18411 tbh rhea seehorn emmy is just as deserved if not more
@@Sigmamale1289 A LOT MORE because in case of Saul, we still know that he’s a bad guy from the beginning. But Kim, she fooled us into thinking she’s a hero for five and a half seasons thanks to her writing and Rhea’s performance.
@@nont18411 Rhea’s performance is so overrated. She’s great but I don’t know why so many people put her at the level of Odenkirk and Cranston, doesn’t have nearly the amount of layers. People overall are too obsessed with her, and her feet
A lot of things people tend to forget is that Bob Odenkirk is a pretty great writer! He knows the ins and outs of what the team wants and I think in some interviews people even mentions something along the lines of “youd think that between takes Bob is still eccentric and funny, but he’s actually one of the most quiet and is quietly going over the script and talking to Vince about his lines.” Dudes an amazing actor and has a surreal love for the arts
Your section on body language was very enlightening. I had never noticed any of the details of his performance before
Bob's real skill was playing two characters at once. Sauls's con man, fast-talking sale's energy to Jimmy's soft and beaten manner.
Unfortunately. They confirmed in interviews the idea to increase Chuck’s malpractice insurance was a spur of the moment improvisation from Jimmy, not his goal. To me that honestly enriches the scene where Jimmy turns his already bad mood and downtrodden struggle into a weapon at the first opportunity.
You like it but it’s unfortunate?
@@DeepfriedBeans4492 it’s unfortunate because I don’t want to have to correct someone.
He took advantage of the increased insurance
Just got into it two weeks ago and am up to date now. All the actors are doing a phenomenal job
yup Micheal mando was a stand out for me. Everyone is perfect in this show tho
you win. great shoe
Wow, it was really interesting to watch your analysis. Bob is incredible! Recently I've watched BCS commentary, and they were discussing that insurance scene. Bob said that Jimmy didn't plan to go there to get back at Chuck, this idea occurred to him during that conversation. So it's really fascinating to see that thought process, indeed. How he starts using his sincere emotions for some other purposes.
When I first watched bcs I thought it was slow and a bit of a drag but in rewatching it for preparation for s6 I realized the beauty in those slow moments and the excellent writing,direction, and performances I was witnessing, i can now say I prefer bcs over breaking bad and it has become my second favorite show right under the sopranos
Sopranos over BB? Interesting I’m half way through it and can see where you’re coming from
also based guts pfp
@@depthsofabjection thank you, fellow struggler
Yes. I started re- watching season 1 and I'm relishing each and every scene that i found frustrating to watch the first time round. It was something that was unlike anything I'd seen packed with so much complexity with germane plot points that I thought were not very interesting. But here I am 7 years later.... On the good choice road to becoming a better call saul nerd. Finally getting over the breaking bad loyalty.
Exactly the same feeling.... I never thought it was as slow as others seemed to... but on my rewatch I loved it even more than the first time around... And definitely prefer it over Breaking Bad. I tried to do a BB rewatch, but actually found it.. lacking something... It was a great ride the first time around, but the ride was all about the intensity of it, and not knowing the direction. Once I actually knew the story, I found it nowhere near as captivating as BCS.
I feel as though many folk found it so slow, because of the comparison to the rollercoaster of BB.
BCS has the character development, the subtelties, is visually brilliant.... and I find Saul so much more interesting/enjoyable/endearing than Walt. Plus Kim.. Nacho and more Mike.. Hands down win...... for me....!
All the cast is just so great! All is perfect: Storytelling, setting, locations, dialogues, actors. Just fantastic.
Truly fantastic. Lets enjoy it while it lasts.
I couldn't imagine anyone else playing Saul Goodman/Jimmy McGill other than Bob Odenkirk.
I think Dwayne The Rock Johnson would be so awesome as Saul
Steve Carell is the only person i can remotely imagine but even then, Bob owns this role
Kevin Costner
Why the video doesn’t have more views? Best video essay on Bob O. Performance yet!
One of my favourite understated moments is when he asserts his name in the court in the final episode. His voice becomes respectful, vulnerable, and almost childlike, as if a grown up had just called him "Jasper McGill" or something, and he's asserting it with a childlike vulnerability "er...n..no ma'am, it's James McGill". It's like a subtle indication that he's been reborn, and he's starting anew.
We can all agree that the people in charge of casting in Gilligan's universe are amazing. He needs to take care of them and have them help on all future projects.
Bob Odenkirk is the only actor I think I’ve ever seen where I don’t see the actor at all, just the character.
I just knew Bob put in a great performance as Saul, but I just love this video breaking it down, it truly shows what a great actor he is, these techniques are next level.
The greatest actors make it look easy, that's why most people think they can act but in fact it's very difficult and only a small amount of people can actually do it well
god you are killing me with that character analysis
How he still doesn't have an emmy after all these years of playing Jimmy/Saul/Gene is beyond me.
when watching the insurance scene my impression was that sabotaging chucks insurance wasn’t premeditated. we obviously know jimmy desperately needed the money and was trying to put chuck behind him and move on but when he was denied he was angered that chucks pettiness was financially affecting him so he decided he might as well hurt chuck back
I swear
If they dont win all the emmys for this season
Im done
I think they did the same for lord of the rings
Only giving awards for final movie
I’ve seen your video essays littered all over my recommended and have enjoyed watching every single one of them. The quality and presentation has never missed, so I was surprised when I saw you only had 100k subs. I expected far greater for a channel of such high calibre. Consider your sub well-earned, and I look forward to seeing how your channel grows :)
Wow, a channel that jumped on the Better Call Saul gravy train with video essays that aren't empty bs. Your videos are actually all good so far, keep it up!
One of those rare roles where I literally can't imagine anyone else in it
The malpractice insurance scene is actually more nuanced than you've already demonstrated, as Bob Odenkirk has confirmed that Jimmy didn't know he was going to sabotage Chuck before going into the appointment. Which means his defeat and momentary breakdown upon being told his rates will skyrocket are genuine, and somewhere in that moment, Jimmy makes the decision spontaneously to spite Chuck as revenge. Once again, Jimmy makes a choice without much thought as to the domino effect it will have, rather than it all being a premeditated effort to undermine Chuck that goes further than he ever intended.
The insane journey of the character it’s way beyond impressive.
The whole emotion prism he displayed and showed on BCS it’s a weird and unique gem. I enjoyed it more than BB
Thank you for this! Outstanding performance by Bob for sure!
Finally some Better Call Saul videos! Can’t wait for the essays when the series ends
It's incredible how Vince, Peter and the other writers took a character who was only comedic relief in "Breaking Bad" and then made him more complex with a sympathetic backstory. Because I'm autistic I never even detected all the acting Bob did with his yes and his facial expressions so thanks for breaking it all down.
With an actor like Bob doing all the motion capture, LA Noire could have been amazing.
What great timing for such a wonderful video about an incredible phenomenon called Better Call Saul :)
I can't tell if a spam bot wrote this or a human, ironically
@@slashpointo Well, it surely does feel a little bot-like looking back at it :P
But these words in that combination just summarized my thoughts for some reason.
Let me assure you - This guy here is an admirer of BCS and filmmaking in general!
Looking forward to next week...
You nailed his emotional expression. Watch the scene in episode eight season six where Jimmy tells Lalo Kim should be the one to go to Gus‘s house. Right before he says, “she should do it“ he goes through an internal struggle trying to think of a way to get Kim out of the situation. Very subtle but entirely in line with what you described in this video
Great video! I hope you make another one for Rhea Seehorn (Kim Wexler), her acting is also impeccable!
Yep far better than Bob Odenkirk
@@nont18411 Let's not overexaggerate
@@nicoffee777 Bob doesn’t deserve Emmy, let alone a nomination. Rhea’s acting is another level compared to him. Like Jimmy, Bob is always below level of Rhea.
@@nont18411 It's kind of difficult to apples and oranges the two because Bob has so much more screen time, and so much more opportunities to get it not quite perfect.
Rhea is 100% consistent, but I think part of what makes her performance seem so flawless is that there's simply less of it.
Don't get me wrong - I think Rhea is the best actor in BCS. But she's also got the advantage in that her characters fate is unknown and none of her scenes are padded out. Others have argued that BCS is Kim's story, and I don't have a good argument against that assertion.
All that said, there are some moments where Bob is less than convincing... but that's often also true of Saul in-universe. It's like Tropic Thunder - he's a guy, playing a guy, disguised as another guy. The con artist turned lawyer wouldn't really work if he was convincing all the time, as Jimmy clearly has a different understanding of other people's motivations and expectations than he does of his own.
Bob deserves a nomination, or at least I suspect he will by the time the series is concluded, but yeah, Rhea deserves the win. Absolutely flawless. I can think of a few times Bob didn't quite sell it. I can't think of a single time she didn't hit it out of the park.
oh she is absolutely amazing. no one else could do kim like she does.
this is an excellent analysis, well done!
Can’t get enough of your videos, great work man
incredible nuance, the detail to hand motion makes mine while selling from home make sense.
Amazing video, impeccable analysis.
What a great analysis and what a great video!
Amazing observation, video and editing. I totally need to learn how to make these.
Excellent observations again.
You actually make these characters and shows better and more meaningful because of your analysis. Thank you 🙏🏾
amazing breakdown!
Interesting ideas that I had not thought before. Good video on a wonderfully complex character
Excellent video
Finally a series im actually caught up with... Love BCS... Love ur vids
Thanks for your video ! I've been watching the last episodes with that in mind, and it really helped me to understand Jimmy's mindset in each scene, like in Nippy or Waterworks
Thank you bro for working so hard to bring out quality content.
Thanks Deepak!
Came across your channel today and I’ve binge watched several of your videos. They are all of very high quality, both production wise but also your way of analyzing. It’s very obvious that you put a lot of time and effort into your videos, which is really put on display when you offer concrete and specific scenens that back your claims. Well done and keep doing these videos!
Bob is such a criminally underrated actor
Exceptional analysis, thanks. So many details I somehow seen on Saul (but not consciously). Superb acting by Bob, this role was just made for him and he played it briliantly. And yes - the moment his high pitch cry begins in the scene at the end of the video, as a viewer I immediately saw it differently 😆
been waiting for this one!
Great analysis. I'll never be able to look at his character the same. A testament to Bob Odenkirk for making it appear so effortless.
According to Thomas Schnauz, telling the insurance broker about Chucks condition was a spur of the moment thing, it wasn't something he planned out, he came up with it in the moment after feeling upset about the money he's just lost.
Yeah, that's how I always read it. The first tear is a real crack in the facade, but the moment his hand comes up to cover his face he's made the decision to run from that emotion and turn it into a performance instead. You can see the sudden switch to insincerity in his eyes.
Great show, great video.
Great vid! Absolutely love seeing Bob get props for his next level performance in BCS. But even though it was a sketch comedy show he did have the co-lead co-creator role n Mr Show in the 90s so don't forget that absolutely brilliant gem of television. Of course his performance is beyond human. The Bob is pure light and energy and will lead us all up heaven's chimney. Terra Deloo!
Wow.. This was an amazing video & def came to my feed at the right moment.
Great Video, summed up pretty well 👏🏼
your videos are amazing. really nice insights well presented and structured. nice editing as well
Great vid!
Great video
I found it astounding how during the first seasons of Better Call Saul (I'd say seasons 1 through 4), we're able to connect with Jimmy's emotions and decisions, and understand (in some capacity) why he does what he does. However, once he adopted the Saul Goodman persona, we noticed we were dazed and confused as to what Jimmy's motives were. We didn't fully understand the steps to the decision he made. We were one step behind Jimmy McGill, who was now the over-the-top Saul Goodman. We began to separate ourselves, forcibly, from his character and his actions. This separation completes in season 6 when we witness the full monstrosity of Gene Takovic, the skeleton of a man who has nothing to lose. Not his lawyer degree, not his reputation. Nothing. We don't know what Jimmy is capable of anymore, and what he's willing to do in order to obtain what he wants. And with the final episode of BCS only a few days away, we know with 100% certainty it won't end well for him.
I'm so happy you included a clip from Tim and Eric Awesome Show in your introduction.
Thank you for this.
Great content!
Great to see BCS hit the channel!
Stellar job, guys!
Fantastic. Thank you.
Amazing Video would like to see another one for a scene in the last episode.
Heven't even watched the video, just wanted to say I've been looking forward to you covering this series since your BB videos. Gave this video a like just for that alone.
Gosh your videos are so good 🥰
Great analysis! We are at the end of the road. Last episode of an incredible TV show.
You make too much quality content imma have to subscribe now even tho I watched 5 of your other videos days apart
Excellently said!
Bob really deserves an emmy.
This video is soo good.
Fantastic! Bravo.
great video
I like how Walt got known more for lying but it was Jimmy who's so good on it that he made it a living
Great job.
These shows are my life and that’s crazy but it’s just because they’re just that good. Oh the joy that flows through me when I show new eyes to these shows.
magnificent closing line
Although ignored by "the Academy," comedians are clearly superior to mere "actors." Many a comedian has become an actor; how many actors would dare to "try their hand" at stand up or comedic writing? Scorsese knows this, and likes to cast comedians, for example, there's 4 or 5 in Casino. It's like actors can become directors, but what actor "started" as a director?
As to your last question, only Taika Waititi comes to mind. He's fantastic in "Our Flag Means Death".
As to your first question, yeah it's mostly a disaster when actors try to become comedians. Even comedic actors seem to have a hard time with stand up in particular. It reminds me of when Michael Jordan tried to play baseball.
Bob's background in sketch comedy gave him a lot of range, but I don't think anyone would really want to see him do standup. It's an entirely different skill set.
I mean hell, take Jim Carrey. Man On The Moon, The Truman Show. Or Robin Williams with One Hour Photo, Good Will Hunting, What Dreams May Come etc.
To do comedy well, I think, requires a much more thorough understanding of the human condition, while acting merely requires you to imitate.
I'll leave it at this: Comedians are much more convincing liars than actors are. They have to be. Comedy is about misdirection, when it's done well, same as magic, as the video points out.
@@nutbastard Taika Waititi is fucking terrible.
on the money, first time here, subbed , thx.
The scene where Jimmy gets Chuck's insurance to go up is a great scene, don't get me wrong, however it has been confirmed by one of the writers that he wasn't lying at the start. He was actually genuinely trying to get his insurance refunded. It was only after that was refused that he came up with the idea of trying to get Chuck's the skyrocket (no doubt because she mentioned Chuck shortly before and because he wanted to get back at Chuck this way because not getting that refund was the final straw).
He was also in 3rd rock from the sun along with Bryan Cranston, Aaron Paul, and that one dude who sells guns.
Love your channel keep up the good work! Also new video idea: "what makes the boys so intriguing"
perfect casting, great writing.
Brilliant video. Are you planning on doing one on Kim. I love how at the beginning she appears as a moral compass for Jimmy and ended up being the one that broke bad.
Next week
Bob's a legend.