dickbuist
Posts 7
|
1/28/2007 10:38 PM
posted awhile ago
Range of Characters
I would like to start a discussion regarding which actor and actress you feel has the greatest range of character portrayal. I believe Dustin Hoffman should be considered as actor with the widest range since he has been a woman in Tootsie, an autisic in Rain Man, Captain Hook in Hook, a near-sighted convict in Papilion, Mumbles in Dick Tracy, and many more. He's not like Jack Nicholson who is pretty much the same character in most of the movies he's been in. I can't off the top of my head think of an actress with a wide range of character portrayal. Please suggest some. Would love to hear some discussion regarding this topic.
|
|
|
Puhnner
Posts 202
|
1/29/2007 8:46 AM
posted awhile ago
Re: Range of Characters
For whatever reasons, I find Dustin Hoffman extremely irritating now, but I do not mean to diminish his acting. I just simply do not enjoy watching his recent work ( last 10-15 years; but I continue to enjoy 'Little Big Man' and watch that at least once a year ), which is similar to how I feel about Jack Nicholson's current work with the exception probably, of 'the Pledge'. Off the top of my head, Helen Mirren and would rank as one of my longtime favorites, who I get as much enjoyment out of watching as anyone, and with as much range as any actor/actress I can think of.
I will think of more, there are plenty-and write later.
|
|
|
wonga
Posts 59
|
1/29/2007 9:29 AM
posted awhile ago
Re: Range of Characters
thanks for the invite! it sounds kind of obvious, but i think Meryl Streep could be considered. as far as i'm concerned she can play anything; comedy, biopic, epic romance, etc. she has played all kinds of women over the years and she manages to look and sound different with each one. yes, she's great with the accents but that's only part of what she does so well. some examples:
- Postcards From The Edge
- The Devil Wears Prada
- Sophie's Choice
- Death Becomes Her
- Bridges Of Madison County
- Music Of The Heart
- Silkwood
- Prairie Home Companion
i'm looking forward to seeing her in the Mamma Mia movie and lots more to come i hope!
|
|
|
porcupine
Posts 88
|
1/29/2007 10:05 AM
posted awhile ago
Re: Range of Characters
While he doesn't yet have the kind of career that Dustin Hoffman or Maryl Streep have, I've got to throw John C. Reilly into the ring. He's a really great dramatic actor, but he's full of surprises. In Chicago we found out he could sing, then in Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby he definitely holds his own with Will Ferrell. How do you do that? Has he been doing sketch comedy in his basement for years, waiting for the right moment to show the world how funny he is?
|
|
|
porcupine
Posts 88
|
1/29/2007 10:50 AM
posted awhile ago
Re: Range of Characters
Another one: Liam Neeson. What else could the following films have in common?
Les Miserables
The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe
Batman Begins
Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace
Schindler's List
Kinsey
Sex therapist, Christ-like lion, AND Jedi? Beat that range.
|
|
|
Risselada
Posts 1443
|
1/29/2007 11:35 AM
posted awhile ago
Re: Range of Characters
The most obvious answer to me seems to be Peter Sellers, whose calling card was usually playing several characters in the same movie.
I think that Alec Guinness often did the same and was even referred to as "The Man of 1,000 Faces"
Although I don't think I've ever seen one of his movies yet, I know Lon Chaney was one of the first film actors to have a reputation for a wide range of character, often also due to the fact that he was a good makeup artist.
In recent years, I would pick out Gary Oldman as one of the better actors to slip into vastly different roles.
|
|
|
Puhnner
Posts 202
|
1/29/2007 12:17 PM
posted awhile ago
Re: Range of Characters
Gary Oldman!!! absolutely, an actor of considerable genuis.
It was Cagney who starred 'in the man of 1000 faces'
though, for one very very sick moment, I thought I read Gary 'Waz it to you shitbag Willis?' Coleman and then I corrected myself...
|
|
|
Risselada
Posts 1443
|
1/29/2007 2:11 PM
posted awhile ago
Re: Range of Characters
 Puhnner:though, for one very very sick moment, I thought I read Gary 'Waz it to you shitbag Willis?' Coleman and then I corrected myself...
Will it ever be fasionable not to pick on Gary Coleman?
|
|
|
Puhnner
Posts 202
|
1/29/2007 4:25 PM
posted awhile ago
Re: Range of Characters
If the universe, does indeed, function as I think it, 'NO', but I think, stranger things have happened before and shall happen since a Mr. Gary Coleman graces our screens; think of it, he in his wavelengths of TV broadcasts, are now, as I write this missive, heading to the furthest reaches of the known universe. And when this broad universe all collapses inward, readying itself for the next 'big bang', he is there to begin again to journey forth. And I shall renew life again as a pissmire...
Coleman!!!
|
|
|
pippin06
Posts 453
|
1/29/2007 4:52 PM
posted awhile ago
Re: Range of Characters
Interesting topic. I would second wonga's nomination for Meryl Streep. She's simply amazing! Don't forget the Hours!
I would also add Kevin Spacey (consider The Usual Suspects, American Beauty, Midnight in the Garden..., Superman Returns...); Robert DeNiro (he's done the whole range from weird to straight, even if many of them are Italian); and Johnny Depp. Johnny's repertoire is so wide and varied, even if half of his films were directed by Tim Burton. Remember: he was Cry Baby and Edward Scissorhands and Jack Sparrow and Willy Wonka and George Jung (I think that was his name) and Agent Sands and Ichabod Crane and a whole bunch of characters from the straight-laced to the weird yet wonderful.
Of the old ilk, I nominate Cary Grant. He played comedies, dramas, thrillers, screwballs...he had quite a few different types of roles in his decades of acting.
|
|
|