John Travolta strutting down the street in Saturday Night Fever. Julia Roberts dishing up pies -- and attitude -- in Mystic Pizza. Al Pacino shivering in Panic in Needle Park. Michelle Pfeiffer, in an emerald satin slip dress, descending the elevator in the 1983 Scarface. Denzel Washington's backtalk in Glory. America Ferrera insisting to her parents that she go to college rather than the sweatshop in Real Women Have Curves. All of these actors had been around the block -- Travolta and Washington respectively on the hit TV series Welcome Back, Kotter and St. Elsewhere -- but in these privileged screen moments, a movie star was born.
Likewise when Ellen Page (pictured above left, with Olivia Thirlby), strolls through a Minneapolis neighborhood in Juno -- an improbably upbeat comedy about the decidedly unfunny subject of teen pregnancy. It's been years since performer and performance so captivated me.
Is there a moment in your moviegoing life that you fell in love with an actor you'd never before seen or appreciated? Are you more drawn to movies with stars -- as opposed to those where the narrative and character dominates -- than not? Your thoughts about solar performers, please.
Comments (37)
Bruce Willis in Nobody's Fool w/ Paul Newman. I had never considered him as an actor until then. He was very natural as a unfaithful jerk, but still somehow relatable
Posted by Wandulyn Collins | December 13, 2007 1:54 PM
Posted on December 13, 2007 13:54
Cameron Diaz- The Mask/She's The One
Gabriel Byrne- Miller's Crossing
Cate Blanchet- Bandits
Alicia Silverstone- Clueless
Jack Nicholson- Five Easy Pieces
Alistair Sim- A Christmas Carol (1951)
Humphrey Bogart- The Maltese Falcon/Casablanca
Robert Redford- This House Is Condemned
Michael Cain- Get Carter
In each of these performances, with no showy, show stopping obviousness, each actor has moments where you barely see the others on the screen. In "She's The One", you hardly see Jennifer Aniston when Diaz is in the frame. Likewise, in Michael Caine's barside homecoming, Nicky is barely there when Michael Caine pulls of Nicky's sunglasses and says "Why, I'd recognize those eyes anywhere. Just like pissholes in the snow." Puts paid to Hollywood's view of the happy harmless Cockney. Chilling to the bone.They're not just dominating a scene, though - they define the entire production, for the better. Each is a transcendent performance. In the three drawn from novels, Bogart, Sim and Silverstone make their characters live as much or more than they do on the page. Wonderful, transforming work, by all of them.
Posted by JDM | December 13, 2007 2:41 PM
Posted on December 13, 2007 14:41
Abigail Breslin in L.M.S!
Ed Norton in Fight Club (I know, I know, American History X, but I missed that one)
There was also a great article in Vanity Fair or GQ back in 2000 about Philip Seymour Hoffman who, at the time, played supporting roles and stole every scene he was in. I wholeheartedly agreed and was so happy to "watch" him get discovered.
Sure I have favorite stars who I'll go see almost no matter what, but I'm equally drawn to films with great stories and no-name actors.
Posted by katie | December 13, 2007 3:08 PM
Posted on December 13, 2007 15:08
There is a certain prejudice against the SW franchise, because it's fans are at times devoted nearly to the point of being unhinged. Never the less, when Han shoots Gredo in the cantina, Harrison Ford instantly becomes the coolest actor in the world. He fit that role so well.
I also have to agree with the poster above, about Jack, when explains how the waitress can bring him just toast in the most obnoxious and condescending manner possible, he owns that scene.
Based mostly I would guess on my age when I saw it (considering he had been in many movies before) Gene Hackman's speech in the locker-room in Hoosiers, when he tells them if they play the game right, regardless of the score, they will all be winners is another transcendent moment.
Posted by yt | December 13, 2007 4:03 PM
Posted on December 13, 2007 16:03
Clive Owen - Sin City
Christian Bale - American Psycho
Harrison Ford - Star Wars
Toshiro Mifune - Yojimbo
Cameron Diaz - Something about Mary
Ray Liotta - Goodfellas
Broderick/Elwes/Freeman/Braugher/Denzel - Glory
Cillian Murphy - Batman Begins
Jessica Lange - Rob Roy
Topher Grace - In Good Company
Paul Newman - The Verdict
For me, it's always about the story, not the stars. Stars distract filmmakers (Brando). However, I am partial to certain directors, like Kurosawa, Nolan, Scorsese, Cuaron, and Peter Jackson.
Posted by ROB | December 13, 2007 4:13 PM
Posted on December 13, 2007 16:13
Kevin Spacey, GLENGARRY GLEN ROSS
Philip Seymour Hoffman, HAPPINESS
Stockard Channing, GREASE
Winona Ryder and Christian Slater, HEATHERS
Matthew McConaughey, DAZED AND CONFUSED
Posted by Adam B | December 13, 2007 4:38 PM
Posted on December 13, 2007 16:38
Amy Adams in "Enchanted." That film is unimaginable without her.
As for Ellen Page, Carrie, am I the only person in the room who finds this actress highly resistible? I just don't get her appeal. Too smug and too self-satisfied for my taste.
Posted by Joe | December 13, 2007 5:37 PM
Posted on December 13, 2007 17:37
Everyone,
Great choices, I agree with them all, but I must admit I was too dazzled by "Dazed and Confused" to single out McConaughey.
Joe,
Totally agree about Amy Adams. While you may not be alone on Ellen Page, I think you're in the minority. I think the first act of the film is so overwritten that it's easy to resist her, but that as her character gets less defensive, the film vastly improves.
Posted by Carrie | December 13, 2007 8:55 PM
Posted on December 13, 2007 20:55
I agree with you, Carrie, that much of "Juno" is overwritten. I'd also add that the character of Juno talks more like a sophisticated screenwriter than a teenager. But my problem is with Ellen Page herself. Perhaps I would have been open to her here if she hadn't already given the exact same, abrasive performance last year in "Hard Candy."
Posted by Joe | December 14, 2007 9:15 AM
Posted on December 14, 2007 09:15
Not a movie but a TV show - Claire Danes in My So Called Life. Instant girl crush.
Posted by Rainie | December 14, 2007 9:25 AM
Posted on December 14, 2007 09:25
I've been so distracted by my resistance to Ellen Page that I forgot to mention the single most memorable debut (for me, at least) - Debra Winger in "Urban Cowboy." I couldn't take my eyes off her, and her bit on the mechanical bull has to qualify as a genuine iconic movie moment.
Posted by Joe | December 14, 2007 9:32 AM
Posted on December 14, 2007 09:32
I have to say Ewan McGregor in "Trainspotting".
Posted by Paul | December 14, 2007 9:47 AM
Posted on December 14, 2007 09:47
Ah, and Zooey Deschanel in "Failure to Launch", a movie that was really not that good except when she was on the screen.
Posted by Paul | December 14, 2007 10:08 AM
Posted on December 14, 2007 10:08
Some recent ones for me:
Joaquin Phoenix in Gladiator
Bryce Dallas Howard in The Village
Jon Heder in Napolean Dynamite
Posted by RG | December 14, 2007 10:12 AM
Posted on December 14, 2007 10:12
Josh Charles and Robert Sean Leonard - Dead Poets Society
Alan Rickman - the first Die Hard
and I also have a few TV ones -
John Spencer(RIP) and Jimmy Smits - LA Law
Bradley Whitford - some short-lived sitcom about male buddies
Posted by phillygirl64 | December 14, 2007 1:09 PM
Posted on December 14, 2007 13:09
Paul Newman "The Hustler"
Denzel Washington "Philadelphia"
Humphrey Bogart "The Caine Mutiny"
Julia Roberts "Erin Brockovitch"
Dan Ackroyd "Driving Miss Daisy"
Cary Grant "Notorious"
Bette Davis "Whatever Happened to Baby Jane"
In my opinion, each of these actors really proved their acting chops in these films.
Posted by kas | December 14, 2007 1:34 PM
Posted on December 14, 2007 13:34
Audrey Tautou - Amelie
I fell immediately in love...
Posted by JL | December 14, 2007 3:23 PM
Posted on December 14, 2007 15:23
Evan Rachel Wood in Thirteen.
Posted by Joe | December 14, 2007 4:00 PM
Posted on December 14, 2007 16:00
i could not stop watching samuel l. jackson in pulp fiction. that character, jules winfield, could not have been a tenth as menacing, physical, and dominating as he ended up being embodied by jackson, a previous to pulp fiction minor actor with roles in jungle fever, national lampoon's loaded weapon, etc... that movie and that performance skyrocketed jackson into the stratosphere.
agree? disagree?
Posted by james | December 16, 2007 1:52 PM
Posted on December 16, 2007 13:52
and on a lighter note...
Chevy Chase in Fletch
Cary Grant in Bringing Up Baby
Jerry Lewis in The Nutty Professor
Groucho Marx in Duck Soup
Bill Murray in Stripes
Will Smith in Men In Black
Posted by Chuckster | December 17, 2007 9:10 AM
Posted on December 17, 2007 09:10
Clive Owen - Croupier
Julianne Moore - Safe
Thora Birch - Ghost World
Ray Liotta - Something Wild
Mia Farrow - Broadway Danny Rose (a total revelation)
Malcolm McDowell - A Clockwork Orange
Gena Rowlands - A Woman Under the Influence
Judy Holiday - Born Yesterday
Thelma Ritter - All About Eve
Richard Widmark - Kiss of Death
Posted by Rob | December 17, 2007 7:04 PM
Posted on December 17, 2007 19:04
I fell in love with Susan Sarandon when I first saw "Atlantic City." Specifically, in that scene when she's dragged out of the casino and kicked the potted plant in her frustrated anger.
Posted by chris | December 18, 2007 4:01 PM
Posted on December 18, 2007 16:01
How about Josh Hartnett in "The Virgin Suicides"? His walk down a high school corridor with a Heart song in the background is one of the best character/actor introductions I've seen. I think this was his first movie, too, but I'm not sure.
Posted by pam | December 19, 2007 12:48 PM
Posted on December 19, 2007 12:48
Adding to the lighter side....
Tom Hanks - Bosum Buddies
Michael Keaton in Night Shift. Say it with me - "LOVE brokers!"
Posted by Claire | December 19, 2007 9:09 PM
Posted on December 19, 2007 21:09
After Thelma and Louise was released, every woman in my office would come in the day after she'd seen it and exclaim, "WHO was that guy?!" I think he's made himself pretty well known since then.
Posted by Kelly | December 20, 2007 10:45 AM
Posted on December 20, 2007 10:45
Maybe time to talk about the great ensemble pieces? ;)
Posted by JDM | December 20, 2007 10:47 AM
Posted on December 20, 2007 10:47
For those who have not seen "Thelma and Louise," that guy to whom Kelly refers is Brad Pitt. And JDM, if you want to redirect this conversation, OK, some amazing ensemble movies, team efforts where everyone is a supporting character:
"Dinner at Eight," "The Best Years of Our Lives," "Spartacus," "M*A*S*H," "Manhattan," "Little Miss Sunshine" ....that's my top-of-head thought....
Posted by Carrie | December 20, 2007 10:56 AM
Posted on December 20, 2007 10:56
Was also thinking of "Love Actually", "Moulin Rouge" and "Strictly BallRoom" as well. There are leads in the movies you cite, as with these three, but they're of a piece rather than being a showcase for one personality. The other stories in The Story matter a lot, and aren't there because, say, Tina Carlisle or Kate Wheeler need a plot to keep on dazzling us. The stories in "Love Actually" all advance the title theme but are themselves individual selights. Well, except for Rowan Atkinson, whose inclusion any where is as unaccountable as it is sick making.
Posted by JDM | December 20, 2007 5:11 PM
Posted on December 20, 2007 17:11
For ensembles:
"The Big Chill", where the character that drives the action is only seen in the opening credits (an uncredited Kevin Costner). What a cast!
"The Trouble with Harry", a Hitchcock comedy(!) that introduced Shirley MacLaine, but also had Edmund Gwenn, John Forsythe, Mildred Natwick, and a young Jerry Mathers.
Or...how about people that are part of a cast that tends to act together in mulitple movies that are not sequels? Mildred Natwick made me think of John Ford's movies - "The Quiet Man", "She Wore a Yellow Ribbon" - where many of the cast are the same. Or "The Maltese Falcon" and "Casablanca."
Posted by claire | December 21, 2007 10:38 AM
Posted on December 21, 2007 10:38
Guest's troupe in "Best In Show" and "A Mighty Wind." Love Parker Posey.
Posted by JDM | December 21, 2007 4:44 PM
Posted on December 21, 2007 16:44
- Michael Cera- Superbad
- Laura Linney- You Can Count On Me
- Michelle Williams- Me Without You
- Kate Winslet- Heavenly Creatures
- Rachel Weisz- The Mummy (which I didn't like but first movie I saw with the wonderful Weisz)
- Amy Adams- Junebug
- John C. Reilly- Magnolia/Chicago
- Renee Zellweger- Nurse Betty
- Diane Keaton- Annie Hall
- Sissy Spacek- Coal Miner's Daughter
- Edward Norton- The People vs. Larry Flynt
- Ralph Fiennes- Schindler's List
- Adrienne Brody- Bread and Roses
- Leonardo DiCaprio- This Boy's Life
- Emma Thompson- Sense and Sensibility
- Jake Gyllenhaal- Donnie Darko
- Steve Carrell- The 40-Year Old Virgin
- Hugh Grant- Four Weddings & a Funeral
- Kevin Kline- A Fish Called Wanda
... and so many more!
also, very much agree on Tom Hanks in "Bosom Buddies," Ewan MacGregor in "Trainspotting," and Thora Birch + Steve Buscemi in "Ghost World"
!
Posted by MG | December 23, 2007 11:37 AM
Posted on December 23, 2007 11:37
Don Cheadle - "Devil in a Blue Dress" with Denzel Washington.
He made a huge star like Denzel seem like an extra in every scene they were in together.
Posted by CW | December 24, 2007 3:36 PM
Posted on December 24, 2007 15:36
Geez, how'd I forget about Don Cheadle? Great actor. He made Blue Dress better by being in it. Great choice.
Posted by JDM | December 24, 2007 8:06 PM
Posted on December 24, 2007 20:06
Emily Blunt.
In "The Devil Wears Prada."
She not only pulled the film out from under Anne Hathaway but also proved to be as commanding a screen presence as Meryl Streep.
Posted by Joe | December 26, 2007 10:35 AM
Posted on December 26, 2007 10:35
I am late commenting , having just read this ...however I have to say that THE OUTSIDERS was THEE BREAKOUT MOVIE/CAST of all time....
Posted by marie | December 28, 2007 10:11 AM
Posted on December 28, 2007 10:11
Ewan McGregor/"Trainspotting" - no doubt
Faye Wong, "Chungking Express"
Djimon Hounsou, "Blood Diamond"
Roberto Benigni, Night on Earth
Posted by Ivan | January 17, 2008 10:39 AM
Posted on January 17, 2008 10:39
Kate Hudson's performance as Penny Lane in "Almost Famous" was so damn good, she's still a star after making some of the worst movies of the new millenium.
Posted by Jordan | February 7, 2008 3:42 PM
Posted on February 7, 2008 15:42