Martin Freeman: The Hobbit's Leading Star

A closer look at the man who plays Bilbo
《哈比人》馬丁.費曼 - 進一步了解飾演比爾博的馬丁.費曼

This month audiences are experiencing the  thrill of seeing another one of film director Peter Jackson's masterpieces: the first installment of The Hobbit. For man The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey will be the first time to see English actor. Martin Freeman in action as he takes on the heroic role of Bilbo Baggins. Although this may be Freeman's biggest role yet, it is far from his first. This versatile actor has been acting in TV, radio, movie and theater productions for 20 years.

Born in Hampshire, England, in 1971, Freeman was the  youngest of five children. He had a difficult upbringing - his father died when he was quite young, and he struggled with asthma and a hip disorder as a child. But these obstacles did not prevent him from enjoying an active life. Despite his physical limitations, he played on the British National Squash Squad from the ages of 9 to 14. When he was 15, he joined a theater group. At 17, he decided to pursue acting as a career and trained at the Central School of Speech and Drama at the University of London. 

In the U.K., Freeman may be best known for his role as Tim Canterbury in BBC's TV comedy The Office. However, he's equally comfortable in serious roles. Freeman made headlines as Dr. John Watson  in BBC's Sherlock, a modern-day adaptation of the Sherlock Holmes detective stories, for which he won a BAFTA award. In spite of these impressive acting credentials, he's been relatively unknown outside of the U.K. All of that is changing this month. According to Peter Jackson, Freeman is the perfect fit for the role of Bilbo Baggins: "intelligent, funny, surprising and brave - exactly like Bilbo."

In fact, filmmakers were so intent on having Freeman for the part that they delayed production of The Hobbit to give him time to finish Sherlock. For now The Hobbit and its second installment are the biggest films on the horizon for Freeman. But for this talented actor, there is sure to be more in store. Freeman is clear in his feelings about his work: "Acting, for me feels like an absolute expression - a really necessary one. It would be a lie if I said it's just a job. It's a lot more than that."

Grammar Tips:
At 17, he decided to pursue acting as a career....
pursue = chase.
The police pursued the bank robbers.
pursue = to work towards or to accomplish.
What goals do you have? (informal way to say )
What goals are you pursuing? (say in formal way)
I'm going for a master degree in psychology. (informal )
I'm pursuing a masters degree in psychology. (formal)

Vocabulary Tips:
masterpiece -杰作，名作，代表作。
master - 大师
*"Starry Night" is one of Vincent Van Gogh's masterpiece. 星空时樊谷的名作之一。
*"Pride and Prejudice" is Jane Austin's masterpiece. 骄傲与偏见是。。。代表作。
*The cathedral is a masterpiece of Gothic architecture. 这高耸的大教堂是歌德建筑的杰作（代表作）
versatile -able to do a lot of things. 多样多元化的。多才多艺的。 "vers" - many kinds of something.是“变化"的意思。
*This versatile young actress can sing, dance and write poetry.多才多艺的年轻演员。。。
*a versatile blender.多功能适用的果汁机。
upbringing -成长过程。父母教导与培育。
*Billy's upbringing was quite difficult, He was sent from home to home.
*The child's good upbringing made him a polite and positive kid.。。有好的父母教导与培育。
installment - partial or section of something.
hobbit's - a type of people, very tiny, small and short. (Lord of the Ring )
limitation - a loft of things can not do, limited to do something, not able to do too many things.
squash - a kind of vegetable, but on sport, mean a sport that two or four people play, one to one or two to two.
squad - team, squad team, a group of people to do some thing. a group of people who has same job assignment.
credential -abilities,knowledge and experiences to prove someone that is fit in the job.　执照，证书。
*You need a teaching credential to teach in public schools.
*Howard's credentials as a musical theater director are quite impressive.
On the horizon -在地平线上的。horizon- the most far that you can see.  there is line from a sea faraway. something will happen just take a bit of more time.
horizon -　地平线。
*Troubles are on the horizon.有麻烦的，很快的会有麻烦，麻烦很快会来到。
*The sun was on the horizon.太阳在在地平线上的，（马上就要升起，即将升起。）（希望在望，只是时间问题。）
*There's a cure for this fatal disease on the horizon.
in store - 储藏，储存。有即将到来，很快发生的。
*With her talent and looks, there will be plenty of opportunities in store for the young actress.（有潜力，有前景，有机会等着）
intend - determine.
delay - move to later time, not follow the schedule should be.
equally - same.
relatively - most commonly.

Chat Room:
far from- (negative)　落后很多，远不及。。
far in the way - must advanced
by far - (positive)　超过很多，遥遥领先的。
That book is by far her best book.　。。最好的作品。。
by- far = far and away 超过很多，遥遥领先的
That book is far and away her best book.　超过很多，遥遥领先的她最好的作品。
far from -落后很多，远不及
That book is far from her best book.
Although this may be Freeman's biggest role yet, it is far from his first.　落后很多，远不及
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Elementary my dear Watson -　
elementary - very basic knowledge.基本的推理，基本的常识。
Watson - Dr. Watson, Sherlock often use this phrase when  Dr. Watson near around him..