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Hackman? Duvall? DeNiro? Cooper? Day-Lewis? You talkin' "movie star" or "great actor"?

Posted by Harmonia (A) on December 15, 2008 at 17:36:40

In Reply to: Best post-Brando generation actor? posted by tinear on December 14, 2008 at 09:11:59:

Brando was to a large degree unique: tranformative, sexy, groundbreaking, iconic...but he's nowhere near my favorite star or actor, even among his generation. I was too young, I think, to get the full impact.

There aren't many thespians around with his combo of star power, sex appeal and talent, although there are lots of very fine - perhaps even better *film* - actors working today. But I don't think there is anyone comparable that I can think of in the last 20 years that had Brando's unique chemistry or that had a generational impact the way he did.

You'll get no argument from me about Michael Caine's wonderfulness - a great and versatile actor, a working class hero whose early success marked a real breakthrough in GB for actors not of the "veddy British", upper crust stage tradition. Some of my favoriote Caine roles in films not mentioned include Zulu, Mona Lisa, California Suite, Hannah and Her Sisters, A Shock To The System, The Fourth Protocol, Cider House Rules, Last Orders, Little Voice, The Quiet American and Children Of Men. Yes, he made his share of mediocre and bad films but the good stuff more than makes ammends, and Caine is always good, even in bad pictures. Most of the great actors oif the post-Brando generations have made their fair share of "pay the bills" movies. It just goes with the territory. Unless, of course, you're Daniel day Lewis and you only work once every 5 years.

So who's a movie star and a great actor?

Gene Hackman and Robert Duvall don't have the sexy thing going for them now (if they ever did), but their CVs as actors are as impressive as any American actor working toda. Each has both range and stature. Both men were outstanding and memorable film actors even in the earliest movie roles.

Hackman is somone who makes it look soooo easy - he's just so damn good, But he seldom has roles worthy of his talent lately. A look at his career confirms his achievements: Bonnie & Clyde, I Never Sang For My Father, The Conversation, The French Connection, Young Frankenstein, Under Fire, Night Moves, Hoosiers, Reds, No Way Out, Unforgiven, Get Shorty, Royal Tenebaums etc. He would be in my personal Hall Of Fame for his performance as Harry Caul in The Conversation even if he had made no other films.

Robert Duvall is Hackman's equal, perhaps with a slightly better movie list (although he got off to a slower start): To Kill A Mockingbird, True Grit, MASH, The Godfathers I & II, THX 1138, Network, Apocalypse Now, The Great Santini, Tender Mercies, Lonesome Dove, The Apostle etc.

I'm surprised - but kinda glad - no one's mentioned Jack Nicholson. Oh well, too much scenery chewing over the years I suppose.

Apparently no one is going to type the name Sean Connery either. He's not the best or most versatile actor in the world. But he is/was gorgeous, sexy, and a movie star through and through. Forget about the Bond films, and forget about stuff like League of Extraordinary Gentlemen and Zardoz (please). The man redeemed himself with The Man Who Would Be King, The Untouchables, The Name of The Rose.

Speaking of scenery chewing, I'm surprised no one's mentioned Al Pacino. But more especially, I'm shocked no one has popped out with Robert DeNiro's name. I know the last few years haven't been filled with impressive movies but consider this list: Mean Streets, Taxi Driver, Godfather II, The Deerhunter, The Mission, Brazil, Angel Heart, Raging Bull, The Untouchables, Goodfellas, This Boy's Life, Casino, Awakenings, Wag The Dog, Jackie Brown...the mind boggles. So you can't forgive Meet The Fockers and Hide & Seek? You guys are hard! I guess Harvey Keitel isn't sexy enough and Chris Walken is too weird?

The British...Daniel Day Lewis is one of the most brilliant, authoratative actors to ever play in front of a camera. But DAMN - the man works so seldom. Rafe Fiennes looked like he was going to THE Brit actor of his generation. He certainly has the intensity, talent and respect - his performance in Schindler's List is amazing - but he hasn't *quite* broken through in the way you'd expect in terms of "star" power. I thought perhaps The Constant Gardner would build some heat for him in a way The English Patient didn't, and God knows Fiennes was a scream as the gangster in In Bruges. He still has time and appears to be on a bit of a roll- see his nasty turn as the cold Duke Of Devonshire in The Duchess, plus The Reader is out soon. It wouldn't shock me if Fienne's got a BSA nom for any of these roles.

Jeremy Irons isn't talked about much these days - too bad. I have a soft spot for him: I will always love him for his superb early TV roles in The Pallisers and Bridehead Revisited, as well as Love For Lydia. Then there's the movies: The Mission, Reversal Of Fortune, Dead Ringers, Stealing Beauty, Damage....a long drought of first rate roles...then Inland Empire and finally a nice supporting role this year as the baddie in Appaloosa. Ian McKellen is the greatest British stage actor currently appearing in films - but his best role remains Gods & Monsters (a cryin'shame Oscar snubbed him) and he started in movies very late. X-Men and LOTR have certainly made him a beloved star, however, and I'm sure Sir Ian's retirement fund is...well padded, shall we say.

I'll grant you Anthony Hopkins is brilliant...in Magic, Silence Of The Lambs, Remains of The Day, Howards End, Titus, Nixon et al. But he's also guilty of his fair share of scenery chewing, so he gets a a few black marks from me. Higher in my book would be the less famous Albert Finney (also someone who can be a scenery chewer if not reined in): Tom Jones, Two For The Road, Shoot The Moon, The Duellists, Under The Volcano, The Dresser, Miller's Crossing, Erin Brokovich, Traffic. I love the fabulous John Hurt but he's a character actor, not a star. Ditto Ian Holmes, whose been terrific in many movies but whose greatness in The Sweet Hereafter is one for the ages.

Among current actors I adore, Chris Cooper is right near the top - Matewan, Lonesome Dove, Adaptation, Lone Star, October Sky, American Beauty, Sea Biscuit...next to appear as Antonio (!) in Julie Taymor's film of The Tempest. A great American actor. But is he a movie star?

I also confess a soft spot for Robert Downey Jr, whose great roles can be counted on fewer than the fingers of one hand, but who is phenomenally talented.

I also have a jones for Jeff Bridges, who seems sadly underrated to me these days. A risk taker as an actor, and just as appealing to me as he ever was - Heaven's Gate, The Fabulous Baker Boys, The Fisher King, Fearless, The Big Lebowski - somebody give him a great role...PLEASE.

Daniel Craig is one to watch. It will be interesting to see how he spends his Bond capital.

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