What makes someone a good actor?

[Section_31]

Based on something Vlad said on the Stallone thread, I wondered how people judge whether someone is a good actor or not?

 

For instance, I think Al Pacino has got massive screen presence and I love hs films, but I don't think he's a diverse actor.

 

But someone like Sean Penn can take on an incredible variety of roles, look, act and move differently when he embodies a part - but is that acting or merely simply doing an impression of someone, is there a difference?

[Tyler Durden]

If you can believe they are what they are pretending to be then they are a good actor, Slyvestor Stallone was immense in Rocky and totally believable so therefore he is a good actor. Just because he can't play a Mr Darcy doesn't mean he isn't a good actor in the same way Hugh Grant couldn't play a John Rambo or Rocky Balboa.

 

There are some people who cross over a bit but not many do totally from one end to the other, it's horses for courses.

[Trumo]

Penn is probably the best example of what I consider to be a good actor in that he doesn't have any specific mannerisms that are unique to him. You never get the feeling you're watching a 'Sean Penn performance', rather you are watching a superbly nuanced character in whatever film it is. Day-Lewis can do this too.

 

I think both Hanks and Cruise are good actors, as is Crowe, but all three bring a particular persona that is very much theirs to all their characters. Whether they intend to or not, and even though that persona has basically been gifted to them by how they are portrayed by the media, you still end up watching 'them' playing the role. Their celebrity status dictates this, and the same is true of both Pitt and Di Caprio who are also both good actors, even though both have made more conscious choices to try and get away from their public persona.

 

I guess it really comes down to how much of a 'star' you are seen to be in the public eye. Penn and Day-Lewis seem to bring a character actor ethos to every role, even when they play the lead role, because neither have a public perception as movie stars. Guys like Pacino, Nicholson and De Niro used to do this too, but at some point - perhaps thanks to their longevity - their performances have become overshadowed by their public persona.

[King Emlyn]

I think somebody who can play a wide range of roles well. John Hurt is very good for this reason imo.

[King Emlyn]

Trumo makes his point well. Neutral is what a good actor should be.

[Bobby Hundreds]

I think Gary Oldman is quality even in his advert his acting is superb. It doesn't feel like an act. The best actors play diverse roles and are believable. Some actors like de Niro and Pacino they just seem to play themselves they're bigger than the role. Day Lewis is the best though.

[King Emlyn]

Staying topical just how fat has Gerard Depardieu become?

[King Emlyn]

I think Gary Oldman is quality even in his advert his acting is superb. It doesn't feel like an act. The best actors play diverse roles and are believable. Some actors like de Niro and Pacino they just seem to play themselves they're bigger than the role. Day Lewis is the best though.

Yep, Gary Oldman is very good.

[dickie mint]

Marlin Brando

Henry Fonda

Spencer Tracey

Charles laughton

Robert de Nero

Al Pacino.

 

 

 

Some of them these day couldn't lace there boots.

[Carvalho Diablo]

Subtlety, empathy, humility.

 

There's also a massive difference between an actor and a move star, although the two are not mutually exclusive.

[KMD7]

Based on something Vlad said on the Stallone thread, I wondered how people judge whether someone is a good actor or not?

 

For instance, I think Al Pacino has got massive screen presence and I love hs films, but I don't think he's a diverse actor.

 

But someone like Sean Penn can take on an incredible variety of roles, look, act and move differently when he embodies a part - but is that acting or merely simply doing an impression of someone, is there a difference?

 

I agree with you on that, I didn't realise he was actually in Carlito's way till the second time I watched it. Not sure if that translates neccessarily in him being a more memorable actor but definitely more diverse

[Remmie]

I think it would be playing eccentric/unusual characters with complete conviction, charisma and believability. I'm thinking Hoffman in Rainman or the brooding performance of De Niro as Jake La Motta in Raging Bull.

[Carvalho Diablo]

Add confidence and vulnerability to the list too.

[Kevin D]

[YOUTUBE]hqVWqTFU5Nk[/YOUTUBE]

[Guest LFD]

Some of my favourite actors are limited.

 

Kevin Costner for example. He can only act one way, yet he has been in some great films and he has been key parts of those films being successful.

[VladimirIlyich]

I think somebody who can play a wide range of roles well. John Hurt is very good for this reason imo.

 

This is a very fair and good point.

 

My biggest criteria is those who you can believe in the role and in particular are very natural and dont appear to be acting.

 

Natural is the key,not having to over sell your role and letting the audience believe you are actually that character.

 

The problem comes when the characters and their escapades are just so unrealistic that its never going to happen so you cant really blame the actors too much just the writers.

[Carvalho Diablo]

Some of my favourite actors are limited.

 

Kevin Costner for example.

 

Fuck. Ing. Hell.

[Dr.Filth]

I agree with you on that, I didn't realise he was actually in Carlito's way till the second time I watched it. Not sure if that translates neccessarily in him being a more memorable actor but definitely more diverse

 

I took my ex bird the pictures to see Carlito's Way and on the way out she said to me "I thought you said Sean Penn was in it?"

 

Not sure if that says more about him or her (see my contributions to 'world of a woman' thread) but either way it was an astonishing performance.

[Magic Sponge]

I think Christian Bale is brilliant. He's fairly decent as Batman but he really stood out in The Prestige and was absolute quality in The Fighter.

[Guest LFD]

Fuck. Ing. Hell.

 

Wh. a. t.?

[VladimirIlyich]

I think Christian Bale is brilliant. He's fairly decent as Batman but he really stood out in The Prestige and was absolute quality in The Fighter.

 

Good shout.

 

Not into comic book stuff so cannot comment on Batman be he was excellent in the Prestige and brilliant in the Machinist too.

[setreal]

[YOUTUBE]hqVWqTFU5Nk[/YOUTUBE]

 

Excuse my ignorance, for I have never watched West Wing: Is that background song really being played in the original scene, or was it added as a joke by the uploader?

[cloggypop]

No mention of Guy Pearce. He has come a long way from Mike in Neighbours.

[VladimirIlyich]

Diversity(not the pop act) is a great skill in an actor.Anthony Hopkins and Ben Kingsley stand out as two actors who have played many different types of role and been excellent in most.

 

There are a lot of excellent character actors who dont get too many leading roles but always give a good performance.

David Strathairn is one of many who only get the recognition they deserve later on in their careers.

[James Dean]

Daniel Day-Lewis