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I think your criticism of Sean Penn actually applies to late-career DeNiro/Pacino/Nicholson, all of whom are among the worst of the post of their own name-making period. I see the same person (put actor's name here) or character playing their lines or emotions (rather well) but not characters or roles; I think the distinction is easily overlooked. I have the same problem with Anthony Hopkins. I'm sure it has a lot to do with type-casting, but it's type casting that the actor's in question are accepting. They keep playing the same characters over and over. Where's the challenge? Penn's different, but the critics overstated the accomplishment of his overblown performance in Mystic River.

Phillip Seymor Hoffman, I think, is among the best actors working today. He labelled as a "character actor", which is meant to be dismissive or ancillary but, but which taken literally describes what you'd want from any actor. Watch a handful of his performances back to back: his ability is astounding. I read a piece on him once that referred to him as a human chameleon. I think that's right on. But he's not leading-man material. He's beyond any leading man in ability, but doesn't have the look.


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