Following on from my top ten TV performances, I thought I would move onto movie performances that have resonated with me. I appreciate that I have missed out on some wonderful movies and performances, and that not all of these choices will be what others would have picked. These are what I liked, or at least am highlighting at the moment. If you can think of any performances that I have missed, please let me know! Once again, this list is in no particular order.
Matrix - Cypher (Joe Pantoliano)
I was about 10 when the Matrix came out, and I remember thinking that it was amazing. Obviously, I kept trying to do that bendy-bullet-dodging thing with not much success. I wasn’t really focused on the acting. When I later rewatched it, I was really impressed by Cyphers portrayal by Pantoliano. Cynical and manipulative, but with completely understand reasoning; Joe Pantoliano is really good in this and arguably one of the best things about the Matrix. Maybe even more than the bullet dogging thing! A small character with a big impact, who – thanks to Joe Pantoliano’s acting - feels grounded and believable in all the sci-fi nonsense!
Shrek 2 - Fairy Godmother (Jennifer Saunders)
Jennifer Saunders is great in everything, but I would argue this is her best role. An incredibly powerful performance, which steals every scene they are in (just like Dan Stevens in that Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga. Far better than it had any right to be). Going from sweet as sugar to cruel, all with amazing comic flair. She makes a strong antagonist, who can fill the boots of the also incredible John Lithgow, which is no easy task. She’s gives an incredible performance in her own right, and is one of the most memorable aspects of the film. Just rewatch Shrek 2, and tell me that ‘I need a Hero’ doesn’t get you pumped
Who Framed Roger Rabbit - Eddie Valiant (Bob Hoskins)
Controversial opinion alert- Bob Hoskins should have received an Oscar nomination and, dare I say, an Oscar win for this role. People will dismiss this performance because it is a kids film (I will point
out that Tom Hanks got a nomination for ‘Big’…) but let’s break down what Hoskins does. He is acting off literally nothing for most of the film, he has to be the emotional rock in a world of Looney Tunes and play the ‘straight guy’, and he is doing an accent that is not his own. Bob Hoskins is one of the best actors of a generation and I believe this is one of his best roles.
Midsommar - Dani (Florence Pugh)
Speaking of Oscars, I know Florence Pugh was nominated for Little Women, but for me this was easily Pugh’s stand out performance of that year - although I do have a soft spot for Fighting With My Family. One of the most powerful performances in recent years, this is another emotional rollercoaster of a film where Pugh is having to keep up an America accent all while giving such an iconic performance. Pugh really does do an astonishing job here.
Love Actually - Karen (Emma Thompson)
I believe most people will have seen Love Actually by now, and so I think you will understand what I mean when I say the ‘necklace scene’. This was one of the first times that I felt really, genuinely gutted for a character whilst a scene. Played beautifully by Thompson, this is a moment that has stayed with me for quite a while and shows just how good an actor she is.
Muppets Christmas Carol - Ebinezer Scrooge (Michael Caine)
When I was considering this list, I realized that when I think of ‘A Christmas Carol’ I only think of this movie and, more importantly, Michael Caine’s Scrooge. I’ve probably seen more than half a dozen interpretations of Scrooge, but Caine is just so iconic as the miserable miser, giving a really human and mutli-faceted performance, and being able to keep his own next to all the Muppet nonsense. A brilliant performance, in a brilliant film.
Capote - Capote (Philip Seymour Hoffman)
This is probably my favourite performance of all time. The late, great Philip Seymour Hoffman gives an astonishingly brilliant and transformational performance that not only captures the spirit of the real Truman Capote, but also every part of them. Capote is a long watch, but Hoffman’s scenes are absolutely mesmerising.
Whiplash - Fletcher (J. K. Simmons)
Another multi-layered character, this time from famed character actor J. K. Simmons in his first top billing leading role as Fletcher in Whiplash. I have seen this film about five times, and every time I find his scenes as tense and captivating as when I first saw it. He is not a ‘nice’ character, but someone who you understand why they doing what they are doing. This is one of my favourite films, and Simmons’ performance absolutely makes this a must-see film.
Django Unchained - Stephen (Samuel L. Jackson)
A lot of recognition went to Christoph Waltz, Leonardo DiCaprio and Jamie Foxx for Django Unchained, and rightly so. But for me, it was Samuel L. Jackson’s black and racist servant who was the really stand out performance. In a role which could easily have been in a ‘nothing part’ in hands of another actor, Samuel Jackson is unapologetic in his portrayal of this dislikeable character. Which is not an easy feat when you’re the loveable Samuel L. Jackson!
Us - Adelaide Wilson/Red (Lupita Nyong’o)
Lupita Nyong'o gives a career-defining performance in Us, showing off her versatility with not one but two strong characters. When you multi-role in something, there's always a chance that you can end up overacting to highlight the differences between the two characters. That is not the case here, as both the performances are incredibly well played and accomplished in her characterisation. Lupita Nyong’o really brings to life these characters backstories and motives. Lupita was completely robbed of an Oscar nomination for her phenomenal work in this film
References - Pantoliano, Joe, performer. Matrix. Directed by Lana Wachowski & Lilly Wachowski, 1999.
- Saunders, Jennifer, performer. Shrek 2. Directed by Andrew Adamson, Kelly Asbury & Conrad Vernon, 2004.
- Hoskins, Bob, performer. Who framed Roger Rabbit. Directed by Robert Zemeckis, 1988. - Pugh, Florence, performer. Midsommar. Directed by Ari Aster, 2019 - Thompson, Emma, performer. Love Actually. Directed by Richard Curtis & Mat Whitecross, 2003 - Caine, Michael, performer. Muppets Christmas Carol. Directed by Brian Henson, 1992 - Hoffman, Philip Seymour, performer. Capote. Directed by Bennett Miller, 2006 - Simmons, Johnathan Kimble performer. Whiplash. Directed by Damien Chazelle, 2014
- Jackson, Samuel Leroy, performer. Django Unchained. Directed by Quentin Tarantino, 2012
- Nyong'o, Lupita, performer. Us. Directed by Jordan Peele, 2019
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