Most underrated acting performance?

[rjknyy]

I have a bunch, but Kevin Bacon in Murder in the First is my top choice with Leonardo DiCaprio in What's Eating Gilbert Grape(let the flaming begin) second.

[FurryHumanBeing]

Originally posted by rjknyy
Leonardo DiCaprio in What's Eating Gilbert Grape(let the flaming begin) second.

I don't think he was that underrated, wasn't he nominated for a best suporting actor Oscar?

Kevin Costner in A Perfect World

[incubus0]

The first one that pops to mind, mostly because I just watched it again last night, is Christian Bale in Empire of the Sun. Actually the whole movie was underated, IMHO. He was only around 12 when they filmed it, and the range that he projects is amazing. This is my second favorite Spielberg film (between Saving Private Ryan and Shindler's List).

[pdjennings]

Haley Joel Osment in A.I. should have won an Oscar... an absolutely amazing performance.

[Prancer]

Mary McDonnell in Donnie Darko

Toni Colette in The Hours

Susan Sarandon in Moonlight Mile

Rachel Griffiths in Me Myself I

[MurDiddlyUrdler]

Alan Ruck in Ferris Bueller's Day Off. He got almost no recognition for that performance. I'm so glad Anthony Michael Hall turned down the part.

[aedavela]

Originally posted by MurDiddlyUrdler
Alan Ruck in Ferris Bueller's Day Off. He got almost no recognition for that performance. I'm so glad Anthony Michael Hall turned down the part.

Good call, Mur.

[Keith]

Originally posted by incubus0

The first one that pops to mind, mostly because I just watched it again last night, is Christian Bale in Empire of the Sun. Actually the whole movie was underated, IMHO. He was only around 12 when they filmed it, and the range that he projects is amazing.

Yeah..great choice there. The ending when he finally meets up w/his parents is heart wrenching stuff.

My vote goes to Bob Hoskins in Felicia's Journey. He perfectly played the part of the guy you would least expect to do terrible things, IMO. Honorable mention to Temeura Morrison in Once Were Warriors. That rage when he drank too much was something to behold.

[MurDiddlyUrdler]

Originally posted by aedavela
Good call, Mur.

Thanks.

[aedavela]

Originally posted by Keith
Yeah..great choice there. The ending when he finally meets up w/his parents is heart wrenching stuff.

My vote goes to Bob Hoskins in Felicia's Journey. He perfectly played the part of the guy you would least expect to do terrible things, IMO. Honorable mention to Temeura Morrison in Once Were Warriors. That rage when he drank too much was something to behold.

If we're talking Bob Hoskins, how about Who Framed Roger Rabbit? That kind of acting work against blue screen and such wasn't very common back then.

[sub780lime]

Johnny Depp in From Hell (I was pleasently Impressed)

[PaddyMcAloon]

Ian Hart and Stephen Dorf in Backbeat...hmm, Mickey Rourke in The Rainmaker.....also, well, I know this is going to sound absurd but Chris Klein in Election (he played himself quite well)

[SeanL]

I thought Mel Gibson's performance in Conspiracy Theory was deserving of some notice.

[limacharliewhiskey]

I still find myself astonished with Brad Pitt's performance in 12 Monkeys. No matter how many times I've seen it, I'm impressed each time with how well he pulls off the role as the mentally unstable Jeffrey Goines.

[deltau922]

Johnny Depp and Al Pacino in Donnie Brasco.

[Grand Admiral Thrawn]

He was nominated, but the fact that Daniel Day-Lewis did not win Best Actor for Gangs of New York is enough for me to call his performance underrated. He owned the screen every second he was on, much the same way Clark Gable did in
Gone with the Wind (He didn't win Best Actor, either)

Brandon Lee as Eric Draven in The Crow. His acting took what was a good comic book/revenge movie and took it to a whole other level. Everytime I see it, he practically moves me to tears. If only he hadn't died....

This is on TV, but you can't convince me that Keifer Sutherland in 24 is not the best actor on TV

[RedBaronF2001]

I always thought Guy Pearce did an excellent job in Memento.

His performance was certainly worthy of at least some recognition.

I second Christian Bale's performance in Empire of the Sun. His performance moves me everytime I watch this film.

[The Limey]

Val Kilmer's wonderful performance in The Salton Sea was sorely overlooked last year.Warner's shameful handling of the film and the consequential limited exposure probably cost Kilmer a deserved "Best Actor" Oscar nomination.

[silentmatt]

I think Steve Buscemi wins hands down as the most consistently underrated actor. Sure, the guy is well known among fans of film, but he so consistently knocks the ball right out of the park in everything he's in (which is a lot, given his amazing range) despite often being relegated to the background, and yet gets so little mainstream attention that it's almost criminal.

If I had to pick his most underrated performance, it would have to be as Buddy Holly in Pulp Fiction....

[Damian]

Originally posted by rjknyy
I have a bunch, but Kevin Bacon in Murder in the First is my top choice.

This is my FAVORITE Kevin Bacon movie. He was so good in that role he deservered more recognition.

Since this doesn't seem to be limited to only movies I have to say Chi McBride in Boston Public. He is so good on that show and I don't think he's gotten an Emmy nod yet.

[Uncle Palpatine]

Jeff Goldblum in The Fly. Every time I see that movie, I'm amazed at the different emotions he's able to convey while covered in tons of make-up.

The fact that he creates a sympathetic, but frightening character is amazing. Another Oscar nominatin denied due to the academy's bias against horror/sci-fi.

I know this is gonna sound wacky - but since I'm on a horror-film kick - how 'bout Gunnar Hansen in the TX Chainsaw Masacre? There isn't a second where you doubt he's a crazed lunatic, and it's all done without dialogue, or without seeing his face. It's all body language and grunts. Not easy to do - especially when he's surrounded by over-the-top acting.

When you hear him on the TCM DVD commentary, it's even more amazing because he sounds so nice and normal.

[Griggi]

Michael Keaton in "Clean and Sober"

I think he deserved the Oscar that year, and wasn't even nominated.

[SilentBob]

I'm still upset that a man can win an award for Best Actor at the Golden Globes and not get any recognition form the Academy. So my choice goes to Gene Hackman in The Royal Tenenbaums


Other worthy mentions

Bill Murray - Rushmore
Jim Carrey - Man on the Moon
Yun-Fat Chow - Crouching tiger, Hidden Dragon
Guy Pearce - Memento
Michael Douglas - Wonder Boys

[PaddyMcAloon]

I think a lot of the actors people are mentioning got a lot of praise from critics and the general public. I remember many people going goo goo over Jim Carey and his performance in Man in the Moon and many papers were so moved and convinced by his dramatic turn that they were predicting a nomination, so therefor I don't think that you can say his performance was underrated. The same goes for Mr Pitt in 12 Monkeys. When I think of underrated performances, I tend to think of people in roles where little notice is given and little praise is made publicly. An example would be most of the cast in The Deep End (though Tilda Swinton did receive a little attention) or Sean Gullette and Stephen Pearlman in PI, even D.B. Sweeny from 8 Men Out and David Strathrain in LA Confidential. Just my 2 cents....coming from the biggest dork of the universe and the most pathetic loser on the planet.....which would make me a total loser.....

[PmR]

Not a great movie but I always loved Ed Norton's performance in Rounders. He stole the show from Malkovich and Damon.

[3DMan]

Dylan Baker in Happiness. As well as his son. The part where they talk at the end is heart-wrenching.

Will Smith in Six Degrees of Separation. His only good performance. Ever. And he was Anthony Michael Hall's gay lover!

[Morty S Tashman]

Danny Devito in Man on the Moon -- don't know how well the picture would have worked without the realistic, down-to-earth presence he brought to the agent/manager role.

Nicholas Cage in Bringing Out the Dead -- I know a lot of people are down on this picture, but I liked it and seriously think Cage was as good as he's ever been.

Christopher Walken in The Dead Zone (1983) -- truly think this is as good a film performance as I've ever seen; I remember he was praised when the film was released, but a lot of it was the left-handed "great acting...for a Stephen King movie" kind. (Also must confess that I liked his work in one of my many guilty pleasures, the film version of Communion--the movies a bit daffy, but Walken and Lindsay Crouse made me believe that at least they were real: I'm still not sure about the movie's "little blue f*ckers" )

[Flash Ahhh]

Joey Lauren Adams - Chasing Amy

-Flash

[disclover]

I've been championing this one for years: Harrison Ford in The Mosquito Coast. The darkest character he has ever played and easily the best performance I saw in 1986.

[Riedenschneider]

Recently... DiCaprio in Catch me if you can. One of the best performances I've ever seen. (and I used to hate him... )

Always... Nick Nolte in everything he's in. Nolte is one consistently brilliant motherfucker, and considering how De Niro's and Pacino's work looks like lately, I'm tempted to say the greatest actor ever - certainly the most underrated...

Can't wait to see his (then instantly underrated) performance in The Hulk.

[Ashenden]

Terrence Stamp as Bernadette (Yes, it's a woman) in The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert

Which by the way have Hugo Weaving and Guy Pearce in it as well. LOTR is not the first time that Hugo had to "dress up"

[EnriqueH]

I think Steve Buscemi wins hands down as the most consistently underrated actor. Sure, the guy is well known among fans of film, but he so consistently knocks the ball right out of the park in everything he's in (which is a lot, given his amazing range) despite often being relegated to the background, and yet gets so little mainstream attention that it's almost criminal. If I had to pick his most underrated performance, it would have to be as Buddy Holly in Pulp Fiction..

I'd have to say Buscemi's best role since Mr. Pink is easily in Ghost World, with Thora Birch.

Terrence Stamp as Bernadette (Yes, it's a woman) in The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert

Excellent call.

Personally, I thought Stamp was also overlooked in Soderbergh's The Limey, which is Soderbergh's best film IMO.

This might be a bit of a controversial choice, but I have to say that Mark Hamill's performance in Empire Strikes Back is overlooked. Sure, everyone knows ESB is an awesome film, but I never see anyone giving Hamill credit for his performance. I guess maybe cause Ford stole his thunder.

Clint Eastwood in Unforgiven. Again, the movie itself gets accolades, but I seldom see Eastwood get credit for his performance. One of his best IMO.

Sean Connery in The Russia House. One of his most diverse and effective roles.

Kurt Russell is virtually everything he's in. He's pigeon-holed as an action star, but he's a better actor than his action status lets on. Kinda like Pierce Brosnan.

EnriqueH

[silentmatt]

Originally posted by EnriqueH
[b]I'd have to say Buscemi's best role since Mr. Pink is easily in Ghost World, with Thora Birch.

Agreed. I was just being sarcastic...

[theyeti]

Good call on Val Kilmer (The Salton Sea) - The Limey.

Val Kilmer has had an underrated career. He had three great performances in three years.

The Doors - 1991
Thunderheart - 1992
Tombstone - 1993

Those movies wouldn't be the same without him.

[Porkchop]

I'll put in a vote for Ed Harris in "The Abyss". He's always been a fine, fine actor and this film, not generally regarded as an "acting" film, is one of his most powerful performances. The scene where he revives his wife never fails to get me.

[JdW]

Hugo Weaving as Agent Smith(Matrix) and Smith(Reloaded)

[MiddleEarthGirl]

I'll second Guy Pearce in Memento and Hugo Weaving in both Matrix films.I'll add John Cusack for Grosse Point Blank,Ewan McGregor in Moulin Rouge and Guy Pearce for LA Confidental

[fatherofnight]

i think clint's performance in honky tonk man is fantastic and much overlooked.

[Chaddoli]

Ok, this one always gets me -- but I think Johnny Depp and Benicio Del Toro in FEAR AND LOATHING IN LAS VEGAS are two of the best performances I've seen. Those two fucking TRANSFORM themselves, and it's not just the costumes, makeup,etc.

Also, Johnny Depp in ED WOOD is a wonderful performance.

Nicolas Cage has had some underated performances as well. Especially in RAISING ARIZONA

William H. Macy in FARGO, BOOGIE NIGHTS, MAGNOLIA

Phillip Seymore Hoffman in BOOGIE NIGHTS, his character was just so pathetic.

John C. Rielly in pretty much everything he's done except Chicago.

[kiscealguy]

Johnny Depp in pretty much anything.
He's one of the most underrated actors out there. He consistently turns in performance after performance that is striking and memorable and unique. Especially Ed Wood though...highly underrated performance! Why has this guy not received an Oscar nomination yet?

Others:

James Woods, Another Day in Paradise
Jeff Bridges, The Big Lebowski
Matt Damon, The Talented Mr.Ripley
Sigourney Weaver, The Ice Storm
Holly Hunter, Living Out Loud
John Travolta & Emma Thompson, Primary Colors
Sally Field, Punchline
John Turturro, Quiz Show
Ralph Fiennes, Strange Days
John Leguizamo, Summer of Sam
The entire cast of Heart & Souls (Love this movie!)