Broadbent laments current acting standards

Jim Broadbent has criticised many of today's actors for their lack of "close observation" to character.

The 61-year-old said that a lot of current film and television stars are "definitely" not exploring their roles in enough depth, leading to "dull" and "irksome" performances.

He told Radio Times: "The important thing is having a specific rather than a generalised view, not just of the character, but also of what he does, what he is getting up to.

"If someone is playing a noble character and he keeps doing nobility from beginning to end it's just terribly dull. It will always be dull if there is no close observation.

"You still see an awful lot of it... It can sometimes be very effective, I accept that. But when you spot it, it's irksome."

Broadbent said that his view was shared by director Mike Leigh, with whom he collaborated on upcoming film Another Year.

On his relationship with Leigh, Broadbent said: "There is certainly an awful lot that we have in common. He too noticed the absence of precise observation by the actors."

Broadbent recently picked up a nomination for 'Best Actor' at this year's British Independent Film Awards for his performance in Leigh's drama.