Robert Duvall
- Thread starter aristotle
- Start date
nightcreacher
Veteran Expediter
he is a great actor but im not sure hes better than these:
harrison ford
morgan freeman
robert deniro
jack nicholson
denzell washington
michael douglas
samuel l jackson
james caan
rod steiger
harrison ford
morgan freeman
robert deniro
jack nicholson
denzell washington
michael douglas
samuel l jackson
james caan
rod steiger
With most actors, including most of the ones on the above list, when you see them in a movie, you never forget, at least somewhere in the back of your mind, that it's them playing a role. I call these "personality" actors. For example, whether he's playing The Joker, Colonel Nathan R Jessep, Randal McMurhpy or even Jimmy Hoffa, you never forget that it's Jack Nicholson on the screen, that it's Jack playing the part of someone else. John Wayne was probably the ultimate personality actor, with Clint Eastwood being a close second. Whether he's Indiana Jones or Han Solo or Dr Richard Kimble, you still see Harrison Ford up there on that screen playing the part. There's nothing wrong with that. Nicholson is one of my favorites, so is Ford. I'm a fan of everyone on the above list.
But a true "character" actor becomes the role, their personality is lost, in the character, and in your mind, to where you actually believe they are the person on the screen. No one typifies this like Robert Duvall. He's the best there is.
But a true "character" actor becomes the role, their personality is lost, in the character, and in your mind, to where you actually believe they are the person on the screen. No one typifies this like Robert Duvall. He's the best there is.
Gene Hackman and Dustin Hoffman never made the list?
Sure, make up your own list. There's a long list of really great actors, both personality actors and character actors to be made. For me, Gene Hackman is a personality actor. Hoosiers, Unforgiven, Mississippi Burning, The Firm, even Superman, it's still Gene in there.
With Dustin Hoffman, he blurs the line between personality and character, depending on the role. It's usually him up there, but there are some roles that you completely forget it's him on the screen. One of my favorite movies of all time is Little Big Man. Dustin Hoffman was just flat out brilliant in that movie.
For me, Robert Duvall brings such a mesmerizing authenticity to every role he plays. "Apocalypse Now"... "The Godfather"... "Lonesome Dove"... "Open Range"
Amongst the younger set, I like Edward G. Norton, Matt Damon, Kevin Costner, Reese Witherspoon. Russell Crowe shows alot of promise.
Amongst the younger set, I like Edward G. Norton, Matt Damon, Kevin Costner, Reese Witherspoon. Russell Crowe shows alot of promise.
One of my favorite "character" actors is James Whitmore. My favorite Duvall movie is Second Hand Lions.. Layoutshooter
Tom Hanks does a good job of the "character" thing.
I agree with with all the actors mentioned,i have to mention Val Kilmer as one my favs.I think he's outta the loop now but for about 20 yrs there he played so many lead and charactor roles were i just couldn't imagine any other actor pulling it off.That's my test can they play small roles and lead with same intensity or finese and could another actor do it.I think of Duvall in Slingblade and can't imagine another actor in that short but powerful role.
"Slingblade" was one of the most disturbing movies I ever saw. I thought Dwight Yoakim acquitted himself well. He and I share the distinction of having been born in Pikeville,KY. His family got out of the coalfields early. Mine did not. Deep, deep in central Appalachia where sunlight must be piped in. Watch the movie "Matewan" (with James Earl Jones and Chris Cooper) to get a feel for the area. It is a good depiction of unionization efforts by the UMWA(to which my father belonged) . It is along the Kentucky/ West Virginia border. Hatfield and McCoy territory. I had relatives on both sides of that misunderstanding.
Jack_Berry
Moderator Emeritus
mockingbird is one of my favorite movies. duvall was just one small part that was lead by the dignity of gregory peck as atticus.
did you ever see open range?
did you ever see open range?
Dustin Hoffman in The Graduate.
Dennis hopper in Easy Rider.
Jack Nicholson in Easy Rider.
Robert Redford in Butch Cassidy and The Sundance Kid.
John Voight in Deliverance.
Burt Reynolds in Somkey and The Bandit.
Al Pacino in Scarface.
Marlon Brando in The Godfather and Apocalypse Now.
These are some truly unforgettable actors along with some truly unforgettable performances.
You don't have to surrender your dreams to the authorities because you turned 65, all you have to do is take your retirement nestegg and buy a straight truckm, lease on with Panther, and see the country man!! ----------Dennis Hopper!
Jack_Berry
Moderator Emeritus
haven't seen the entire falling down but i liked the golf course scene also. every time i get a burger i see the picture of it and the reality when i open the wrapper makes me want to ask.....where is that burger, the one up there?