matril

Yoda's hut is an excellent example of set design, both the exterior and interior (all the more remarkably when you consider they would have needed to build a whole structure underneath for puppeteering purposes). Organic, like it grew up out of the swamp. Tiny and humble, well-suited for Yoda's simple needs but far too cramped for human-sized people.

And just like his physical constrictions, Luke is feeling strained by the little man's delays (not knowing he is in fact Yoda). He's impatient, frustrated, and dismissive. It's upon Luke's newest outburst that Yoda reveals his true identity -- not directly to Luke, but by telling an unseen Obi-Wan that we cannot train him. What a triumph of “creature” design and performance by Frank Oz that we fully feel Yoda’s disappointment and sorrow in this moment. That we look at this expression and see a fully realized character, not just a goofy puppet.

And much praise for Mark Hamill as well, who had to work as the only actor on the set, hearing Frank Oz’s delivery through an earpiece, and yet he’s fully immersed in his performance. We feel his humiliation when he claims he’s ready, only to smack his head on the too-low ceiling. And we share his unease when Yoda warns him that he will be afraid, his demeanor turned ominous and chilling. The scene closes, appropriately enough, with a transition between Luke’s wary face and the looming Imperial fleet. Ominous indeed.

Next time, a bit of subconscious imagery becomes real…