What is this thing to be a gentleman-like these days? How does this quality manifest itself and how to recognize it?

Recently I caught myself thinking of what male characteristics still depicts certain features that could be called strictly mannish, yet not considered abusive or intimidating in modern world? Quite naturally my mind turned to actors, as they more openly display these features to our observation. I concentrated on those whom I do like for any reason whatsoever, which ones appeal to me, so to say, and started my listing of names: Michael Caine, Anthony Hopkins, Sean Connery, Malcolm McDowell, Gary Oldman, Tim Roth… Then I suddenly understood one thing I wasn’t concerned about at all – all of them are British! And I had no intention to make any exception for them among other actors with successful carriers in Hollywood, not at all. Should be few others added to the list? My pleasure: Pierce Brossnan, Daniel Craig, even Hugh Grant and Judd Law would almost fit. Yes, despite these are but another two 007’s and on screen womanizers “par excellence”.

What in common do have these guys, except of being from UK in one way or another? Well, most – if not all – of them more than a few times played bad guys. Some played even very bad ones – Malcolm McDowell probably couldn’t be surpassed in this role, starting with The Clockwork Orange, and Tim Roth playing villain in Rob Roy closing in just behind him. To my opinion Anthony Hopkins and Silence of the Lambs could come no higher than a third place. Why? My answer is: Because Hannibal Lecter evokes too much empathy for him.

Young lions as Gerard Butler and Clive Owen of more recent generation belong here, too, as even in the science-fiction or cartoon like roles they manage to profess their human but not humanoid features.

But the main thing behind my sympathies I guess is this: all these men somehow manage to stay on a man’s side in any role they play – is it just commercial hit or a more serious piece of art. This is exactly what attracts attention, fascinates and makes me willing to associate myself with the characters they personalize. In other words I want to be the way they are, I still dream this boyish dream what I will be when I grow up and you know – this encourages me to live through my day to day life with all its boredom and insufficiencies and still hope and strive for better things than I read in newspapers on a daily basis.

It might be just my unprofessional opinion – and it is – but when it comes to a need of a hero old fashioned Michael Caine fits my imagination better than some super-duper overseas dude. This is why I think invention of a gentleman is still a one of the best – if not the best – thing Britain delivered to the world.

Oh, and if you’d like to add names like Jeremy Irons and some others that might belong to the list, according to your opinion, I’m OK with it, because I believe such action would bring more substance to the presented case.