Because Lou Diamond Is Cool

I was just reading a comment from the venerable Dr. Goat, part of my most secret inner circle here at the Cave of Cool, and it got me thinking more about the movies of Lou Diamond Phillips.

After loving him in La Bamba, Young Guns, and Stand and Deliver (the greatest teacher movie of all time) he seemed to take a less high profile path to movie stardom. I don't think he ever stopped working but he did a lot of things that were painfully unmemorable.

For two seasons on the lost and lamented, Stargate Universe, I was impressed how he could create a character that I could both admire and hate all all at the same time. You can't ignore this guy when he's on screen.

His latest role in Longmire has stuck in my head for few days. Casting someone with all Lou's baggage in a key role was a risk. The character of 'wise Indian friend from childhood' is ridiculously cliche to begin with. NO ONE could make me happy with any interpretation that didn't look stupid. In fact when I first saw Lou I thought, oh great, Lou is the bad Indian guy. Damn, I have seen that Lou before.

Then something miraculous happened. I was charmed by a character that measures his words with a smile and never says more than he needs to to make his point. He's all about seeing the long game and not just reacting to the situation of the moment. No wonder he is Longmire's life long best friend. I instantly see why the friendship exists due to the skill of Phillips.