Few people can play villains like Christopher Walters. His ability to pull a grin is legendary. His newest character, Regus Patoff, is like, but different from, his previous characters.
However, The consultant is a stage full of actors, only one of whom is perfectly in the spotlight.
What is the advisor?
The latest show on Amazon and based on Bentley Little’s book, The consultant follows a small technology company whose owner has tragically passed away. As the party is about to stop, a man in a perfect suit and tie arrives, briefcase in hand, and announces himself as Regus Patoff.
Regus explains that he is a consultant hired by the dear deceased owner to keep the business afloat. However, no one has ever heard of him, even though his name appears to be on the correct papers. He immediately starts making draconian changes and making people’s lives hell. But many of them stay and keep listening to him, even as they try to find out who he is, where he comes from and what his motivations are.
Christoph Waltz and his breakthrough role
Christoph Waltz has been working as a credited film actor in German film since 1981 Headstand. He is of Austrian-German descent and much of his acting takes place in Germany. For years he refused to play the typical German Nazi roles, feeling they were too predictable and often caused problems for German actors trying to play other roles. That changed when he met Quentin Tarantino.
Waltz’s entry into the US market was in a movie called Inglorious Bastards (2009), where he played Hans Landa. Tarantino has stated that he almost didn’t make the film because he couldn’t find an actor who could play the character. He was at his wits end until his chance encounter with Waltz. The two bonded over the project, and Waltz’s ability to understand Landa made him the perfect actor for the part.
Playing Hans Landa made Waltz a household name. The character has been described as one of the most terrifying villains in cinema. The opening scene of Inglorious Bastards is described as a masterclass in a slow-burning villain introduction. He starts off as the most charming and gracious guest, but the audience already knows he’s a Nazi, which puts them on edge. Then, as he talks to the French farmer, we realize just how insidious his evil really is, leading to a growlingly pointed performance that doesn’t let up even as we learn more about him and his nefarious plans for himself and our main characters. We hate him and love him at the same time.
Oscars and 007
Inglorious Bastards was the first of two Tarantino roles (the second was as Dr. King Schultz in Django unleashed) which earned the actor the Oscars for Best Supporting Actor. He has credited Tarantino for allowing him to create well-rounded characters and not just “bad Germans” as seen in countless films before.
His career has had other highs and lows, but he seems willing to play a variety of characters who walk the line between fierce and charming. He recently brought that same dastardly charm to the role of Ernest Stavro Blowfeld in the Daniel Craig iteration of the 007 franchise. As the leader of Spectre, his calm yet menacing demeanor played perfectly against James Bond’s often violent and trigger-happy personality.
Expected threat with a sense of humor
One of the main things people look for from Waltz is the threat he brings to the characters. However, he has become a go-to performer for these types of roles. The good part is that he doesn’t feel like sitting still and just replaying the same characters. Therefore, each performance brings nuance and humor that may be difficult for other character actors.
In fact, one of his greatest acting achievements came when he completely played against the expected type by hosting Saturday Night Live in 2013. This man, known for his menace, entered an atmosphere of glee and satire and killed it. Plus, it endeared him to audiences who might not have been Tarantino fans or who had only marginally heard of Waltz.
He has a charm in interviews that also belies his Austro-German heritage, often mistaken for serious when he tries to project humor. Waltz is proficient in four languages and has admitted to forging at least seven. He is a man of his craft who has some difficulty concealing his contempt for the non-acting pieces of his chosen profession.
Why Regus Patoff is a perfect Christoph Waltz role
From the moment Regus Patoff enters The consultant, the audience knows they’re up for something different. His menacing attitude is evident from the moment he introduces himself. He’s too nice; his whole being seems ironed and starched. Even his choice to take over the former owner’s office (dry blood still stains the window behind his desk) puts everyone else at a disadvantage. His few flaws seem unreal and a test for those around him.
Waltz does not inhabit the character of Regus Patoff. Instead, he creates and molds him into a Christoph Waltz creation. It’s like he got source material, took notes, and put it through a filter that turned an already terrifying character into a nuanced, creepy individual that you don’t want to turn your back on. Not because he has a gun pointed at you, but because he has a knife hidden in his sleeve. He may not use it right away, but eventually you make a mistake, you say the wrong thing, and Christoph Waltz, not Regus Patoff, will be there to retaliate.