Good actors – or even mediocre ones – can make you forget your watching a paid professional at work.
No matter how much audiences know about Dustin Hoffman, or how many corny jokes we her him tell on “The Tonight Show,” we’re still dialed in to his every performance.
Some actors can’t pull off this simple act, and it’s typically all their fault. They’re either too polarizing politically or cause such a ruckus off-screen that all we can think about is their latest TMZ update.
It’s not about a lack of talent. Mostly, it boils down to a lack of self control and lousy judgment.
- Lindsay Lohan: Did you catch her in “Machete?” If so, was there a microsecond when you weren’t totally aware you were watching the wild and wacky LiLo on the big screen? Yeah, me neither.
- Tom Cruise: The “Top Gun” actor’s transgressions don’t seem so alarming on the Sheen-o-meter, but there’s something about jumping on a couch that simply can’t fade from our memory.
- Meg Ryan: Ryan’s personal life isn’t an issue here, although her publicized romance with Russell Crowe on the set of “Proof of Life” might have shattered her “girl next door” image. The real problem starts and ends with Ryan’s lips, which appear surgically tweaked. It’s hard to watch her now without seeing a beautiful woman who tried to stiff arm Father Time the wrong way.
- Matt Damon: The “Bourne” star is an underrated actor, an A-lister who brings a gritty depth to his best roles. But his off-screen work, including a recent video imploring citizens to give him a special 40th birthday gift and his support for other hard-left projects, is starting to overlap his otherwise solid film work. And his performance in “Hereafter” suggests he’s starting to take himself a mite too seriously.
- Mel Gibson: WWTW watched “Edge of Darkness” and found Gibson to be just as compelling as he ever was on screen – despite his infamous anti-Jewish rant. Then, audio snippets of Gibson’s rage-filled attacks on his ex-girlfriend rocked the media and suddenly it felt all but impossible to take him seriously.
(Photo: Lindsay Lohan’s extended cameo in “Machete” proved a distraction more than anything else.)
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{ 8 comments… read them below or add one }
ooooh, I have to disagree about Dustin Hoffman. I think he’s taken on some really stupid cameos lately, and I have found these appearances to be highly distracting. In fact, I immediately think, “What’s Rain Man doing in this movie?”
I also still like Matt Damon, although I’ve always found him one-dimensional.
The rest are spot on.
Hoffman’s film choices have been spotty of late … but as an actor in this late 60s/early 70s he simply doesn’t have the options he once had. Check out “Last Chance Harvey” for his best role in years.
I used to enjoy any movie with Dennis Quaid and I still think he’s a good actor, but I will never be able to watch anything he’s in without thinking of manorexia.
I assume we are talking about skilled actors who can’t resist the temptation to tweak the sensibilities of the middle American “lumpenproletariat” with look-at-me controversies off screen. Of course, for me, numbers 1 and 4 don’t fit the first qualification. But, OK, to each his own. One name absent from the list is Sean Penn. For me, his once noteworthy acting and film-making skills have declined in direct proportion to his increased political blathering. But, if sufficiently challenged, I think it’s a safe bet he could return to form. Unfortunately, he seems to have lost his creative edge and, frankly, any interest in honing his talent.
You’re being way too kind in regards to Damon. In most of his roles he’s stiff as a board, and his acting range seems to be “speaking softly alot equals dramatic acting, while being loud and spastic equals comedic acting”.
I would also add George Clooney, who I liked as an actor up until about 5 years ago, when his annoying mannerisms and his smug attitude offscreen got to be too much for me (not to mention his tendancy to insult anyone who disagrees with his politics).
Meg Ryan is an inspired pick, though you are too gentle on why. She looks borderline horrific.
I actually share your views on Matt Damon for this list. However, I’m still able to enjoy his guest-spot work on “30 Rock,” as I do for Alec Baldwin.
Others for the list:
Susan Sarandon/Tim Robbins: (I don’t care that they split up. They’re still a package deal.
Sean Penn: I appreciate his talent, but the grubby way he expresses his politics colors everything for me. And how about his latest role in the Valerie Plame thingy? Please. Bad (but typical) choice.
That’s it for the top of my head. Got happy election returns on the mind!
A list of this nature tends to dive into a list of reasons why we hate a certain actor even if they can deliver a noteworthy performance. Yet that tends to be the trend. I would have it no other way.
I would agree with Sean Penn. (Especally in light of the Plame film) but I must admit, I liked The Interpreter.
I liked the Borne films in spite of the shaky cam and I thought Damon was good in The Departed, but otherwise I would agree with your assesment.
I don’t care if he’s a kid. I simply cannot watch Jaden Smith on screen at this point in his career. Or for that matter, any actor who purports to show me how cool and hip they are because they conform to a fad.
And ditto on the Lohan, Hilton, Cyrus and any of the like. More trouble than they’re worth, and really, what do they bring to the table?
And for a bit of irony, does anybody remember Dane Cook?
First off, Charlie Sheen (I know, he’s doing TV work now, but still – ick!).
Seam Penn, for both his ugliness off screen as well as his over the top emotionalism in every role. The dude cries in every movie.
Like Meg Ryan, Mickey Rourke’s face is just to weird. I flinch whenever he’s on screen. Also, Nicole Kidman’s waxy face (so sad!). I’ll stop before the list gets too long…
George Clooney & Julia Roberts seem to play themselves in every role. Maybe it’s just being too familiar with their ticks and expressions, but I just always see them and not their character.
Meryl Streep. You can always see her acting, not being the character.