Christopher Lambert is most useful when fantasy needs someone who seems apart from ordinary life. We like his reserve in Highlander, though it sometimes leaves the other actors to supply the warmth.
Fi1m perspective
In Highlander (1986), Christopher Lambert's Connor MacLeod keeps his distance while the actors around him enjoy being rather more conspicuous. His reserve suits an immortal who is set apart from other people. It also means that some scenes ask for feelings he does not quite give them. We like him in Russell Mulcahy's extravagant fantasy, with that reservation: he makes the strange premise easy to accept, but he is not always the person we want to spend the evening with.
His international breakthrough came before Connor. Greystoke: The Legend of Tarzan, Lord of the Apes (1984) brought him international notice as Tarzan; he then played Fred for Luc Besson in Subway (1985). Highlander made Connor the defining role, followed by sequels and further action parts in Fortress (1992) and Mortal Kombat (1995), where he played Raiden. That sequence helps explain why warriors and fantasy figures remain so central to his reputation.
Highlander gives him two useful contrasts. Sean Connery's Ramirez supplies the amusement and ease that Lambert withholds, while Clancy Brown's Kurgan makes a broad villain properly threatening. We laughed at Brown's extravagance, then took him seriously because the hostility underneath it never disappears. That opposition helps Lambert: Connor need not become more demonstrative for the rivalry to make sense. Lambert's extensive sword-fighting preparation matters too, and his physical commitment gives us a reason to watch even when the emotional scenes do less than they should.
Later supporting parts include Claire Denis's White Material (2009) and Hail, Caesar (2016). We would be interested to see more directors test the reserve that Highlander uses so conveniently, rather than count on it to do the same job again. Start with Highlander, provided a reserved hero will not spoil the pleasure of an extravagant sword fight.
Biography
Christopher Lambert is an American-born French actor. Born on 29 March 1957 in Great Neck, New York, he began his career with supporting roles in French films from 1980. He gained international attention for the title role in Greystoke: The Legend of Tarzan, Lord of the Apes (1984).
Lambert is best known for portraying Connor MacLeod in Highlander (1986) and subsequent entries in the franchise. He received the César Award for Best Actor for his performance in Subway (1985) and played Raiden in Mortal Kombat (1995). He has also appeared in films including Fortress (1992) and later television series such as The Blacklist.
Lambert has been married to actors Diane Lane (1988–1994) and Sophie Marceau (2012–2014). He has severe myopia and has performed many of his own stunts without glasses.
