Top 10 Cinematic Performances
Part 1 of 2
Due to the fact that I have not been to the cinema in quite a while and that the review of the Dictator is just getting nowhere I thought I would bridge the gap by trying something different. I decided that I would comprise a list of my top 10 performances in film, the rules are they cannot include television performances or animated roles (I may do them separately at a later date) I have also split the list into two posts because to include all 10 would make this post very long indeed. Naturally I feel obliged to remind any readers that this list is purely a matter of opinion as is any review that one reads, and should be taken lightly. So, let’s get started!
10. Edward Scissorhands: Johnny Depp (Edward Scissorhands)
Many may argue that there is not much to this performance, and on the surface it would appear to be true. Edward doesn’t have too many lines and spends a significant portion of the film in the shadows. Yet if one pays close attention one will observe the vast array of emotions that Johnny Depp is able to convey in just one scene. His childlike demeanour is immediately charming yet you have the constant feeling that something is not quite right. True during his introduction he is mainly used as an element of comic relief as he is forced to adapt to a strange new world: Ours. But it is in his love for the popular cheerleader as portrayed by Winona Ryder he displays a charming yet heartbreaking sense of loss when he realises that they can never be together because he could never touch her. In that instant you feel his anguish in such a way that so few actors are able to elicit.
9. Rain Man: Tom Cruise (Charlie Babbitt)
When people think of ‘Rain Man’ I would be willing to bet that their first thoughts travel to Dustin Hoffman’s admittedly magnificent performance of Raymond Babbitt, and while I do believe that that performance is noteworthy and by all standards impressive I personally believe that Tom Cruise, whom normally I can barely tolerate in any movie, was tragically overlooked. While Raymond was the more complicated role in the sense that it is no easy feat to portray someone with autism with as much taste and realism as he did the more complex role is arguably his brother. Tom Cruise has to undergo a dramatic transformation throughout the film’s narrative starting out as a selfish and manipulative person who merely needs his brother to gain his inheritance but, by film’s end we see him fighting to keep full custody of his disabled brother despite not having the means to do so. We see his tolerance and love grow and as a result that immortal scene in which we see Charlie comforting the upset and confused Raymond and promising that despite not being able to care for him full time he will visit him in two weeks. We see that he has matured. It is the one performance of Tom Cruise I actually enjoy.
8. Sin City: Elijah Wood (Kevin)
I love Sin City, everything about it makes it a magnificent film, the production values, the script, the characters and the performances. Every actor in that film, even those who I do not ordinarily rank that high do a good to brilliant job so it was hard to include one without mentioning the rest in too much detail, but I just think that Elijah Wood's terrifying performance as silent assassin Kevin was one to remember. Considering many primarily remember him for his whiny turn as Frodo Baggins in critically acclaimed Lord of the Rings trilogy this was a real surprise for me to see him as so creepy and deadly. His eyes and sinister smile stayed with me long after the film had finished and even though he had no dialogue he was able to exude a far greater sense of menace than the hulking Mickey Rourke and that in itself is impressive. Of the three primary antagonists in Sin City, Kevin is the one who seems to be the most dangerous, because he seems not of this world, it seems unusual that he is so demonic and yet his father figure/mentor Cardinal Roark likens him to an angel, it is a truly disturbing comparison. His performance was rivalled only by that of Benicio Del Toro as Jackie Boy, another of the three main villains, who while fantastic just didn't leave you with the same feeling of unease that Kevin did.
Warning: this video contains mature and disturbing content.
7. Thor: Tom Hiddleston (Loki)
I am a major comic book movie fan, so don't be surprised if comic book characters make further appearances on this list, but Loki is one of my favourites. Unlike most comic book villains Loki seems to have valid motivation, more so in Thor than in The Avengers, but regardless you can not help but empathise with him. From the very outset he is somewhat jealous of his brother, kind of clichéd I know, we've seen it time and time again, I mean Thor and Loki even bear a passing resemblance to Scar and Mufasa from the Lion King, so what is it about his motivation that makes his character so believable to us. In my opinion it is because he is right. Thor isn't exactly kingly material when we first see him as Loki himself says "He's arrogant, he's reckless, he's dangerous...is that what Asgard needs from its King?" and he is right. His actions are understandable, and further strengthened when he finds out about the truth of his parentage. It pushes him over the edge, and Tom Hiddleston manages to imbue Loki with a tragic vulnerability, he seems lost in a maelstrom of emotion and shocking revelations. While Loki does become more villainous and manipulative as the film progresses Hiddleston manages to regain our sympathy simply by layering what would ordinarily be obvious and OTT villain dialogue with a sense of despair and frustration which creates a new image, of a man who simply does not know what his place in the world is.
Sorry about the quality of this one, but it really was the best I could find.
6. American Beauty: Kevin Spacey (Lester Burnham)
This performance is obviously aimed at someone the character's age, I would estimate somewhere in the 40s. Essentially American Beauty deals with the idea of a 'Mid-Life Crisis' and we watch as Lester Burham travel down a road to self-discovery and liberation leading to a more superficially satisfying life. I say it was aimed more at people Spacey's own age because they will obviously be able to empathise more with his plights, his regrets and the decision which he makes to ensure he breaks free of his repressed middle class life. I however, just find it hilarious after having seen Kevin Spacey in such roles as viciously creepy killer John Doe (more on that later) and the enigmatic Keyser Soze it was a nice change to see him have, for the most part, so much fun. When the character begins his transformation Spacey creates an illusion of innocence, child like for the most part and it really makes him endearing to watch. I imagine a lot of middle aged men watched this and thought about making the same transition themselves. However, the real beauty of Spacey's performance comes at the film's climax where when presented with the object of his lust and desire he suddenly realises the futility of trying to capture his youth and he finally sees the worth of what he has, a wife and a daughter, a family. Spacey manages the revelation with a sense of reality and a quiet dignity which belies the immature actions of the character throughout the majority of the film.
I utilised the trailer for this film as it does a good job of showing the general transition and character journey that Spacey's character goes through, plus it removes any chance of spoilers for those who have not seen it yet.
And so that's the end of part 1, I know many people would probably not agree with my choices, but there we have it. I recommend for anyone to see these films who have not already, aside from the magnificent performances I have just written about they are all noteworthy films and some which I would recommend as part of anyone's collection.
Part 2 to follow soon.
8. Sin City: Elijah Wood (Kevin)
I love Sin City, everything about it makes it a magnificent film, the production values, the script, the characters and the performances. Every actor in that film, even those who I do not ordinarily rank that high do a good to brilliant job so it was hard to include one without mentioning the rest in too much detail, but I just think that Elijah Wood's terrifying performance as silent assassin Kevin was one to remember. Considering many primarily remember him for his whiny turn as Frodo Baggins in critically acclaimed Lord of the Rings trilogy this was a real surprise for me to see him as so creepy and deadly. His eyes and sinister smile stayed with me long after the film had finished and even though he had no dialogue he was able to exude a far greater sense of menace than the hulking Mickey Rourke and that in itself is impressive. Of the three primary antagonists in Sin City, Kevin is the one who seems to be the most dangerous, because he seems not of this world, it seems unusual that he is so demonic and yet his father figure/mentor Cardinal Roark likens him to an angel, it is a truly disturbing comparison. His performance was rivalled only by that of Benicio Del Toro as Jackie Boy, another of the three main villains, who while fantastic just didn't leave you with the same feeling of unease that Kevin did.
Warning: this video contains mature and disturbing content.
7. Thor: Tom Hiddleston (Loki)
I am a major comic book movie fan, so don't be surprised if comic book characters make further appearances on this list, but Loki is one of my favourites. Unlike most comic book villains Loki seems to have valid motivation, more so in Thor than in The Avengers, but regardless you can not help but empathise with him. From the very outset he is somewhat jealous of his brother, kind of clichéd I know, we've seen it time and time again, I mean Thor and Loki even bear a passing resemblance to Scar and Mufasa from the Lion King, so what is it about his motivation that makes his character so believable to us. In my opinion it is because he is right. Thor isn't exactly kingly material when we first see him as Loki himself says "He's arrogant, he's reckless, he's dangerous...is that what Asgard needs from its King?" and he is right. His actions are understandable, and further strengthened when he finds out about the truth of his parentage. It pushes him over the edge, and Tom Hiddleston manages to imbue Loki with a tragic vulnerability, he seems lost in a maelstrom of emotion and shocking revelations. While Loki does become more villainous and manipulative as the film progresses Hiddleston manages to regain our sympathy simply by layering what would ordinarily be obvious and OTT villain dialogue with a sense of despair and frustration which creates a new image, of a man who simply does not know what his place in the world is.
Sorry about the quality of this one, but it really was the best I could find.
6. American Beauty: Kevin Spacey (Lester Burnham)
This performance is obviously aimed at someone the character's age, I would estimate somewhere in the 40s. Essentially American Beauty deals with the idea of a 'Mid-Life Crisis' and we watch as Lester Burham travel down a road to self-discovery and liberation leading to a more superficially satisfying life. I say it was aimed more at people Spacey's own age because they will obviously be able to empathise more with his plights, his regrets and the decision which he makes to ensure he breaks free of his repressed middle class life. I however, just find it hilarious after having seen Kevin Spacey in such roles as viciously creepy killer John Doe (more on that later) and the enigmatic Keyser Soze it was a nice change to see him have, for the most part, so much fun. When the character begins his transformation Spacey creates an illusion of innocence, child like for the most part and it really makes him endearing to watch. I imagine a lot of middle aged men watched this and thought about making the same transition themselves. However, the real beauty of Spacey's performance comes at the film's climax where when presented with the object of his lust and desire he suddenly realises the futility of trying to capture his youth and he finally sees the worth of what he has, a wife and a daughter, a family. Spacey manages the revelation with a sense of reality and a quiet dignity which belies the immature actions of the character throughout the majority of the film.
I utilised the trailer for this film as it does a good job of showing the general transition and character journey that Spacey's character goes through, plus it removes any chance of spoilers for those who have not seen it yet.
And so that's the end of part 1, I know many people would probably not agree with my choices, but there we have it. I recommend for anyone to see these films who have not already, aside from the magnificent performances I have just written about they are all noteworthy films and some which I would recommend as part of anyone's collection.
Part 2 to follow soon.
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