Best Acting You've Seen

[EnriqueH]

I'm talking serious, dramatic performances. Not action hero stuff.

10) Kevin Spacey in "American Beauty"---This was the last film to really blow me away with its story, style and performances. Spacey really created a pathetic character who found redemption in letting his life go.

9) Bjork in "Dancer in the Dark"---I'm a film buff, as my membership in this site suggests. Never have I seen a more heartwrenching, pull-no-punches performance from anyone. I didn't have a lump in my throat. I didn't get misty-eyed. I was BAWLING.

8) Gene Hackman in "The French Connection"--- Hackman made an undeniable impression on me in this film as a tough cop. I love Eastwood's Dirty Harry, but Hackman's tough cop, Popeye Doyle, was uniformly realistic, passionate and in-your-face.

7) Harrison Ford in "Frantic"---Ford is in every scene, and he makes the movie so watchable and so compelling. No one can make emotions like "worry" and "fright" look as masculine.

6) Ellen Burystn in "The Exorcist"---Though parts of the film have aged, it's hard to pick one peformance out this superb film that's chockful of great performances. But I think it's Burystn, with her mother's despair, that commands our involvement in the movie.

5) Dustin Hoffman in "The Graduate"---I think Hoffman's masterpiece of a performance perfectly captured the uncertainty and emotional insecurity of being young and put in an awkward position.

4) Al Pacino in "The Godfather"---Michael Corleone is such a richly realized character. From war hero and loving son to an embittered killer that commands a mafia family.

3) Anthony Hopkins in "Silence of the Lambs"---Few villains are as uniformly interesting, compelling and strangely loveable as Hannial Lecter. I'd probably rank Darth Vader over Hannibal, but Hopkins was just unbelievably good. It's a relishing performance.

2) Robert De Niro in "The Raging Bull"---I think the film itself is a bit overrated, but De Niro is sheer genius in a role that encompasses every possible feeling and makes each one tangible in our soul as we watch him: disgust, despair, success, love, hate, jealousy, rage, and redemption.

1) Marlon Brando in "Last Tango In Paris"---This artsy film with its elegant cinematography, deliberate pacing and Gato Barbieri score is not for everyone. I'd always known Brando up to that point as an actor who played Superman's father and The Godfather. But it wasn't until I saw this film that I saw Brando for what he was: easily the greatest actor of modern cinema. Brando fills his character of Paul with a debilitating emotional pain. The opening of the film stuck in my head as we cut from the credits to Brando standing under a Parisian train station and enunciating in one of those chilling, piercing screams, "Fucking God!!!!!!!"

EnriqueH

[Moppy007]

Ed Norton in American History X springs to mind. I really believed the transformation of his character from a Nazi-skinhead.

More recently, I was in awe of Ray Liotta's performance in Narc.

[EnriqueH]

Ed Norton did kick major ass in that role. I thought about him when concocting the list.

EnriqueH

[kimfair]

Vincent D'Onofrio as Private "Pyle" in Full Metal Jacket. Every time I see him sitting there grinning, I think that he MUST actually BE insane!

Ed Harris in what I think is one of his first film appearances as King Billy in George Romero's little seen Knightriders. You believe that this man believes in his cause, his sincerity is astounding.

Both actors are almost always wonderful in whatever they do, but these two performances really do it for me.

[WhipSilk]

Three very different performances come to mind:

Robert Duvall in Tomorrow. Duvall was so good in this beautiful little adaptation of a Faulkner story that I thought they had actually gone out and found a Georgia dirt farmer to play the lead.

Barbara Harris in Nashville. Lots of different people got props for their work in this film (Lily Tomlin, Ronee Blakely, Gwen Welles, Keenan Wynn -- heartbreaking performance, Allen Garfield), but Harris as a scruffy Nashville wannabe just bowled me over, and what she does at the movie's end always brings tears to my eyes.

I have to mention the third (I've mentioned it elsewhere on this board), which is simply the most amazingly outrageous performance I have ever seen in any medium -- Susan Tyrrell in Night Warning. Yeah, it's closer in spirit to "action hero stuff", but it's so jaw-droppingly extreme and intense that you can't tear yourself away, although the movie itself isn't that great (it is a lot of fun, though).

[Marq]

Off the top of my head. Too heavy on modern films, but it'll do for now I guess:

01. Robert De Niro in Taxi Driver. The best acting I've ever seen. Period.

02. Anthony Perkins in Psycho. The most enjoyable performance for me to watch. Crazy, hilarious, sad, subtle and over-the-top. Perfect.

03. Naomi Watts in Mulholland Dr.. Very powerful and very affecting. The best acting i've seen in the last 5 years, at least.

04. a) Jeremy Irons in Dead Ringers. An amazing performance as twins. Cannot imagine the emotional effects of playing such a demanding role. Exhausting just to watch it. And brillaint.

04. b) Nicolas Cage in Adaptation. Not nearly as great as Irons, but still very noteworthy for playing another set of twins. Hilarious acting with such an incredible script. His best role since "Raising Arizona" (mind you, I sadly haven't seen Leaving Las Vegas yet).

05. a) Dennis Hopper in Blue Velvet. The best over-the-top maniac villain I've ever seen on film, with the most quotable lines ever. Fuck!

05. b) Jack Nicholson in The Shining. Another perfect over-the-top performance. Dude is crazy in every scene and I love every second of it.

05. c) Christian Bale in American Psycho. Possibly the funniest acting ever, and so over-the-top is becomes scary. I love watching this character.

06. Rober De Niro in Raging Bull. Probably the most consistently great actor (up until 4 or 5 years ago). In this role, he exhibits way too many emotions perfectly and convincingly that it can't be healthy to be such a great actor.

07. Emily Watson in Breaking the Waves. I guess I'm a sucker for very emotionally-heavy performances, and this one would take the cake. Very draining and very powerful. Like Bjork in "Dancer in the Dark", von Trier can truly get great performances out of his actresses. Let's hope more of the same is in store with Nicole Kidman in "Dogville".

08. Mark Wahlberg in Boogie Nights. What will perhaps be his only GREAT performance, but hopefully not. So many roles stand out in this film (Julianne Moore, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Don Cheadle), but Wahlberg creates both great sympathy and disgust throughout his character's transformation. The scene of him staring blankly into nothingness while seated on the couch at Alfred Molina's place is insanely perfect.

09. Denzel Washington in Malcolm X. The best performace of a major historical figure I've seen. Excellent acting.

10. Johnny Deep in Ed Wood. Another very fun performance to watch. Still one of the best actors working today, and I just had to choose one role to represent him, as he's been great in so many.

11. Ellen Burystn in Requiem for a Dream. Very hard-hitting and emotion-filled. Again, it drains me just to watch this performance. I also loved her in "The Exorcist".

12. Julianne Moore in Safe. Like Johnny Deep, I could choose just about any of her performaces for this spot (particularly, Far From Heaven, The Hours, Short Cuts, etc). In Safe, she really convinces the viewer of her sickness, though a sickness likely different than the one she's convinced herself she has. Great role.

13. Kirsten Dunst in The Virgin Suicides. Because she's crazy hot.

[airjosh]

Toshiro Mifune in Seven Samurai (and pretty much every other role he was in)

Denzel as Malcom X

Daniel Day Lewis in Gangs of New York

Topol - Fiddler on the Roof

Cate Blanchett - Elizabeth

Gregory Peck - To Kill a Mockingbird

Russell Crowe - L.A. Confidential

Laurence Harvey - The Manchurian Candidate

Mandy Patinkin - The Princess Bride

Cary Grant - Notorius

Bruce Willis - 12 Monkeys

Tom Cruise - Magnolia

Jude Law - Gattaca

most everyone in The Godfather

That is just what I could think of off the top of my head.

[mikenyc]

Al Pacino in "Scent of a Woman".

Before I saw it, I was prepared to totally dislike this film, primarily based, on the "Ooo-ahhhhhh", chewing-up-the-scenery, done by Pacino, from the short scene clips I saw.

When I viewed the entire film, Pacino's performance endeared me to his restrained, command of the screen, like nothing he, or any actor has done, with such finesse.

The tango scene, especially, is magical and captivating. It's so special, how it unfolds like something that's delicate, like his underrated "Frankie and Johnny" performance.



Russell Crowe and Al Pacino in "The Insider".

I was completely surprised by Crowe's performance, and his sharing a screen with Pacino, without getting swallowed up by The Master. You can, just, see the wheels turning...but not quite!

It's surprising to me, also, how Michael Mann made such an entertaining and engrossing film out of a, basically, dull, dry subject. It's nice to see that he is capable of making something interesting in your head, other than just emotions.

[MiddleEarthGirl]

Ewan McGregor: Moulin Rouge

Guy Pearce:Memento

Joaquin Phoenix:Quills

Nicole Kidman:Moulin Rouge/The Others

[Al Pacino]

1. Almost anything Al Pacino is in, expeccially Scent of a Women, the part where he gives the speech at the end was amazing.

2. Also Robert De Niros Performance in Raging Bull, Taxi Driver, and Once Upon A Time In America were all Amazing.

3. I'll 2nd Vincent D'Onofrio as Private "Pyle" in Full Metal Jacket.

4. Also Johnny Depp and Ray Liotas Performance in "Blow" were terrific, expecially Rays.

5. And Finally Ed Norton in American History X. I thought it was amazing and it made me become a huge fan of all his works.

There are many more but thats all I'll list for now.

[Cap42086]

10. Marlon Brando in The Godfather
9. Malcolm McDowell in A Clockwork Orange
8. Samuel L. Jackson in Pulp Fiction
7. Carey Grant in North by Northwest
6. Jack Nicholson in One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest
5. Johnny Depp in Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas
4. Ian McKellen in Gods and Monsters
3. Geoffrey Rush in Quills (It's poo-flingin' fun! )
2. Kevin Spacey in The Usual Suspects
1. Daniel Day-Lewis in My Left Foot

[godmoney]

Nicolas Cage - Adaptation - I relate with him so much it's not funny...I can identify with a character, and that's rare.

Malcom McDowell - A Clockwork Orange - quite possibly one of my favorite perfomances. Alex is the quintessential guy you should hate but you love.

Adam Sandler - Punch Drunk Love - I felt for this guy, which is also rare. I truly wanted him to be happy and for things to go right for him.

Daniel Day-Lewis - The Crucible - Amazing. The drama he conveys toward the end of the film is stunning.

Daniel Day-Lewis - Gangs of New York - Amazing again. He plays the rare "honorable" villain like noone else.

Robery DeNiro - Taxi Driver - you felt bad for him and liked him when you shouldn't of.

John C. Reilly - About anything he's done - Amazing actor, probably his best in Magnolia.

Philip Seymour Hoffman - everything he's done - One of the best actors, he hammers any role.

Ed Norton - American History X - Stunning. That movie hit me like a train.

Brad Pitt - 12 Monkeys - Best. crazy guy. Ever.

Tom Cruise - Magnolia - The emotion he put out was fucking brilliant. "I'm quietly judging you"

Johnny Depp - Ed Wood - How cool was he? Funny as hell.

these are just a few.

[3DMan]

My ex-girlfriend: "You're penis is the PERFECT size."
My ex-girlfriend: "I would never cheat on you."
:p

[tqpix]

Naomi Watts in Mulholland Dr.

[dvds'r'us]

I'll name a few (ok, more than that):

Robert De Niro in Taxi Driver
Thora Birch in Ghost World
Steve Buscemi in Reservoir Dogs
Kevin Spacey in American Beauty
Warren Beatty in Bonnie & Clyde
Jake Gyllenhaal in Donnie Darko
Gene Hackman in The Royal Tenenbaums
Everyone in Almost Famous
Jennifer Aniston in The Good Girl
Robin Williams in One Hour Photo
Adrien Brody in The Pianist
Jason Schwartzman in Rushmore

I could go on.

[Charlie & Tex]

For absolute honesty of emotion, the nod must go to Delores Taylor in Billy Jack.

"But Billy Jack is an action movie" we hear your cry.

True, but the final scene where Taylor has to convince Tom Laughlin that he has to surrender or he will be shot dead is the most sincere, raw display of human emotion we have ever seen. This is probably due to the two of them being husband and wife, so she just transposed her genuine feelings as if it was her husband who was about to get his head blown off.

Don't just take our word for it: Marlon Brando stood up at a screening of it and declared that Taylor had set a new standard!

Warner (the inital distributors) were going to lobby for her to be nominated for an Academy Award(R), but they trashed the release of it, even putting it in porno theatres, and ceased their polling. The flyers were printed (we have seen them) but never sent out.

Watch her scene of a lifetime, and then stick on Ms Streep over-egging the pudding and see which comes off as the most real of the two performances.

[mikenyc]

Originally posted by Charlie & Tex
For absolute honesty of emotion, the nod must go to Delores Taylor in Billy Jack.

I agree about "Billy Jack" and the whole Billy Jack film franchise.

The problem is that Tom Laughlin was so outside of the Hollywood System, they "broke" him, and in effect, "killed" that whole way of making and marketing movies...as quickly as it started. The proverbial "nail", was "Billy Jack in Washington".

The interesting thing is, it's still, too much ahead of it's time, even today, with all of this "independent film" blather. Genuine freedom, is still, a frightening thing, in this country. But you wouldn't know that listening to all that "Project Greenlight", and IFC crap, the Media Monopoly spoonfeeds to us, courtesy of the stars themselves. They aren't so radical, compared to what Tom Laughlin did !

The box set of his films was my first DVD purchase.

[georgep]

I fail to see what was so 'groundbreaking' about "Billy Jack," other than it was filmed in one of my favorite small towns of Prescott, Arizona.

I admire the filmmakers' unpretentious, simple message, with its nods to Native American and environmental perspectives, and I agree that this is the type of film distributors wouldn't come within 10 feet of today.

But that doesn't mean that Tom Laughlin wasn't trying to make a marketable, commercial film. In fact, the worst thing that could have ever happened to "Billy Jack" happened--it became a franchise, using elements of story and character that, while popular in their day (Vietnam vet comes home, crusades against the establishment by preaching non-violence), were pretty thinly developed and ultimately exploitative in my view--it was bad enough Laughlin put his own wife through a simulated (and really, when you think about it, gratuitous in the arc of the story) rape/torture scene on film, but for Laughlin to suddenly turn around and turn his character from a peace-loving ex-vet into a vengeful kung fu master in the middle of the movie is 1970s "butt-kicking flavor of the moment" button-pushing at its finest. Sorry, Tom, but you can't make a message film and a revenge film at the same time, not if you want to be taken seriously.

Now, if someone has the cahones to take the promising beginning of "Billy Jack" and stay consistent to it thematically throughout the movie--hey, a simple yet profound non-violent action film, now THAT would be radical!

[Hutch]

Aside from most of the performances listed above, I'll go with:

Willis and Travolta in Pulp Fiction.
Robert Forster in Jackie Brown.
Tom Cruise in Vanilla Sky.
and Gary Oldman in basically everything he's done. What a versatile actor.

[Chewbacca]

Robert Powell as Jesus in JESUS OF NAZARETH (1977). Easily the best performance by an actor EVER !

[elwood731]

Jim Carrey in MAN ON THE MOON

I think it is one of the most underrated performances in years. I understand people may not like the movie, but Carrey is brilliant in it. He is even more brilliant if you actually have seen Kaufman's work and understand how well he hits that character. To me, I never think of Carrey while I watch that movie. I am watching Kaufman up there.

[incubus0]

In no particular order

(may contain spoilers)

• Christian Bale - Empire of the Sun
  The journey his character takes as accurately portrayed at ever turn. The look on his when he sees his once servants taking the dresser or whatever then the woman walks over and slaps him is absolutely perfect.
• Tom Sizemore - Saving Private Ryan
  And many other films. His self-denial after being shot at the end, good stuff.
• Haley Joel Osment - The Sixth Sense
  He completely pulled off a kid that was wiser then his years.
• Malcolm McDowell - A Clockwork Orange
  A tough character to play without going over the top.
• Val Kilmer - Tombstone
  There has never been a cooler character then Doc Holiday.
• Val Kilmer - The Doors
  Probably a better Morrison then Jim himself
• Jennifer Lopez - Selena
  Not my type of flick, but she became the lead character.
• Jack Nicholson - The Shining
  From the interview at the beginning to the 'hair of the dog' to the 'heeeere's Johnny!' he was perfect.
• Jodie Foster - The Silence of the Lambs
  Amongst other films, she is probably the best female actor in America today. I just wish she wasn't as uppity about herself.
• River Phoenix - Stand By Me
  Perfect performance in a great flick.

There are others, but 10 is good for mow.

[airjosh]

Malcolm McDowell - A Clockwork Orange
A tough character to play without going over the top.

seemed pretty over the top to me, but then that was kind of the point I thought

[asphodel5]

Here are a few of my favorite performances.

Falconetti- The Passion of Joan of Arc
probably the most powerful that I've ever seen

Robert De Niro- Taxi Driver
I think that it is his best work

Giulietta Masina- La Strada I like her in everything that she's done. This just might be my fovorite of her roles.

Monica Vitti- L'Avventura (or any of the 3 Antonioni tetrology films that I have seen)

The guy who plays Umberto D.

Johnny Depp- I could pick almost any of his roles, but I'll go with Fear and Loathing. He's one of my favorite "new" actors.

Liv Ullmann- Autumn Sonata
Again, I could pick any of the Bergman roles that I have seen.

Katherine Hepburn- Lion in Winter I didn't like the movie all that much, but the acting was amazing.

Jeanne Moreau- Jules and Jim
One of my favorite actresses in one of her top roles

Nicole Kidman- Moulin Rouge!
I still wish she had one her Oscar for this one.

Tony Leung/Maggie Cheung- In the Mood For Love
For me, the performances are perfect.

I could go on and on, but that is a good base.

[incubus0]

Originally posted by airjosh
seemed pretty over the top to me, but then that was kind of the point I thought

By 'over the top' I mean overdone. He brought it just up to the line of believability without going over which would have been very easy to do with such a violent character.

[EnriqueH]

For absolute honesty of emotion, the nod must go to Delores Taylor in Billy Jack.

Oh my God. Yes! I am so glad to hear Billy Jack gets some collective nod by someone other than myself. No, I didn't list it, but you are absolutely right. Billy Jack is more than an action film IMO. It has action, but it has drama in spades. And Delores Taylor gave a wonderfully powerful performance.

Billy Jack is a great film. I own the set on DVD, in fact.

EnriqueH

[EnriqueH]

but for Laughlin to suddenly turn around and turn his character from a peace-loving ex-vet into a vengeful kung fu master in the middle of the movie is 1970s "butt-kicking flavor of the moment" button-pushing at its finest. Sorry, Tom, but you can't make a message film and a revenge film at the same time, not if you want to be taken seriously.

George, I don't think you understood Billy Jack. Not if you're reducing it to the elements that you suggest.

EnriqueH

[MikeD03C]

I'd have to say the best acting I've seen would be from Larry Clark's Bully. I've never seen such empathy-inspiring work. Brad Renfro in particular but also Nick Stahl both gave awesome performances.

I really enjoyed the peformance of Jude Law in Gattaca as well.

[wahlers]

I would like to add the following:

Kathy Bates in 'Dolores Claiborne'

Charles Chaplin in 'Limelight'

Robin Williams in 'One Hour Photo'

[QENEX]

Al Pacino as Tony Montana in Scarface

Oliver Reed as Proximo in Gladiator

Mike Myers as Austin Powers

[rtcpenguin]

Originally posted by EnriqueH
I'm talking serious, dramatic performances. Not action hero stuff.

10) Kevin Spacey in "American Beauty"---This was the last film to really blow me away with its story, style and performances. Spacey really created a pathetic character who found redemption in letting his life go.

9) Bjork in "Dancer in the Dark"---I'm a film buff, as my membership in this site suggests. Never have I seen a more heartwrenching, pull-no-punches performance from anyone. I didn't have a lump in my throat. I didn't get misty-eyed. I was BAWLING.

8) Gene Hackman in "The French Connection"--- Hackman made an undeniable impression on me in this film as a tough cop. I love Eastwood's Dirty Harry, but Hackman's tough cop, Popeye Doyle, was uniformly realistic, passionate and in-your-face.

7) Harrison Ford in "Frantic"---Ford is in every scene, and he makes the movie so watchable and so compelling. No one can make emotions like "worry" and "fright" look as masculine.

6) Ellen Burystn in "The Exorcist"---Though parts of the film have aged, it's hard to pick one peformance out this superb film that's chockful of great performances. But I think it's Burystn, with her mother's despair, that commands our involvement in the movie.

5) Dustin Hoffman in "The Graduate"---I think Hoffman's masterpiece of a performance perfectly captured the uncertainty and emotional insecurity of being young and put in an awkward position.

4) Al Pacino in "The Godfather"---Michael Corleone is such a richly realized character. From war hero and loving son to an embittered killer that commands a mafia family.

3) Anthony Hopkins in "Silence of the Lambs"---Few villains are as uniformly interesting, compelling and strangely loveable as Hannial Lecter. I'd probably rank Darth Vader over Hannibal, but Hopkins was just unbelievably good. It's a relishing performance.

2) Robert De Niro in "The Raging Bull"---I think the film itself is a bit overrated, but De Niro is sheer genius in a role that encompasses every possible feeling and makes each one tangible in our soul as we watch him: disgust, despair, success, love, hate, jealousy, rage, and redemption.

1) Marlon Brando in "Last Tango In Paris"---This artsy film with its elegant cinematography, deliberate pacing and Gato Barbieri score is not for everyone. I'd always known Brando up to that point as an actor who played Superman's father and The Godfather. But it wasn't until I saw this film that I saw Brando for what he was: easily the greatest actor of modern cinema. Brando fills his character of Paul with a debilitating emotional pain. The opening of the film stuck in my head as we cut from the credits to Brando standing under a Parisian train station and enunciating in one of those chilling, piercing screams, "Fucking God!!!!!!!"

EnriqueH

Man, thats a quality list....If it were mine however, I'd put Robert Duvall in for something, and definitely Greg Peck for any of his movies.....

[prof.fate]

Tough question, however, I did notice no one mentioned Meryl Streep at all. It is a shame how people just take her for granted. I don't think I will see a better actress in my lifetime. That said;

Jack Lemmon in Days of Wine and Roses-awesome, gut wrenching performance. If you have not seen this movie, please do yourself a favor, and watch it. Harrowing.

Robin Williams in The Fisher King-my idol, and a huge multi-talent no matter what anyone thinks. One Hour Photo also- a huge departure for him.

Ellen Burstyn in anything-so glad people in here have noticed what a phenomenal actress she is. One of THE greats.

Anthony Hopkins in Magic-ignoredfilm from the 70's that was not met with great reviews, but after Silence of the Lambs, this is his best work on film as far as I am concerned. He was brilliant.

Anne Bancroft in anything. Another truly great, brilliant actress.

Paul Newman in The Verdict- Of all his great work, this one stands out for me. My brother works for him, and I got to meet him last December pn Broadway while he was in Our Town. Great person, and proud to have shaken his hand. A lengendary, versatile actor.

Anthony LaPaglia in anything. He is SUCH an awesome, versatile actor. Another big idol of mine.

Have a great day everyone!

Chris

[airjosh]

Originally posted by prof.fate
Tough question, however, I did notice no one mentioned Meryl Streep at all. It is a shame how people just take her for granted. I don't think I will see a better actress in my lifetime.

Technically, you didn't list any of her performances either. I have great respect for her and think she is certainly one of the great actresses of all time. That being said, I am not sure I can think of any of her movies that I actually like. There has to be at least one....

[Region2dude]

John C. Reilly in Magnolia. Pure perfection!

[redcon1]

Peter O'Toole for "The Stunt Man" and "My Favorite Year"..
The best one-two punch by an actor..hands down.

[wackoip]

I did think of Ed Norton and Russell Crowe but for different movies. I think both actors did better before they made it big, probably due to the fact that they had nothing to lose at that time and can therefore act their ass off regardless of what the critics said etc.

Anyway Ed Norton in Primal Fear and Russell Crowe in Romper Stomper.

PS. Oh on the same theory Eric Bana in Chopper