Actors Who Go That Extra Distance
Not so long ago, we didn’t have many actors who were prepared to do what it took, to better a movie, or do anything too risque. But even forty years ago, there were some who would shy at nothing. For example, Oliver Reed and Alan Bates, doing their famous naked wrestling, at the huge fireplace, in Woman in Love, which saw Glenda Jackson win the Oscar for Best Actress in a Leading Role in 1971. Fast forward a few years and a young man would come along and show just what it means to put yourself in a role. President Lincoln himself, Daniel-Day Lewis. I am of course referring to My Left Foot, for which Daniel-Day received the first in his trio of Academy Awards.
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His performance was nothing short of brilliant, and it was playing Christy Brown he honed his skill by staying in character throughout the shoot. This is the very technique which has seen DD Lewis regarded as one of the finest actors who ever lived. The very thing that makes him great, is the very thing that prevents him from making too many movies, as he has admitted to just how much this technique takes out of him personally, plus the fact that he appears totally insane to everyone else.
The next person on my list is a man who was also a pioneering actor, with his physical fitness, followed by huge weight gain while performing as Jake Lamotta, in Raging Bull making him one of the greatest in Hollywood, or the world for that matter. His was the first performance I had seen where the actor would exert themselves to such extremes, and the sheer dedication to a role was clear for the world to see. To top that off, his acting was exemplary, giving Robert De Niro a second Oscar for Best Actor in a Leading Role.
On to the ladies now, with model and actress Charlize Theron, who blew everyone away with her uncanny resemblance to Aileen Wuornos in Monster. What makes this particular performance stand out is the fact that a beautiful model, with a body most would die for, would even consider piling on the pounds, as she did to allow her to become seriel killer Wuornos, and also win her a first Oscar for her sheer dedication and skill as an actor. I remember seeing a clip of Monster and didn’t realise who I was looking at. She really did deserve her win.
The last section has three actors who are all linked by the caped crusader himself, Batman. Both Joker roles went to a pair of actors who really put themselves in their performance, with lots of white face paint and even more gusto, Jack Nicholson and Heath Ledger gave the Joker a real personality, therefore making him more believable to the audience. But to achieve that, they had to give it their all, and both gave highly memorable performances in doing so. Which leaves the one and only Batman himself Christian Bale. Being far younger than De Niro, Bale is now in the position Bob used to be in, with Bale’s acting incredible at times, but his extreme dieting for The Machinist was the performance I most admire the “passionate” Brit for. Not his shouting skills. But I was surprised at Chris Bale not garnering any big award nods for this role.
I’m a huge fan of anyone who will do what it takes, to get the job done, with my favourite being Daniel-Day Lewis, and while I haven’t covered everyone, I have covered the ones I most remember and admire. But if another Lewis, Theron or De Niro comes along, I’ll be sure to write another piece about how good they are. Until then, we have more than enough to be getting on with for now.
Nav Qateel, Influx Magazine.
And DeNiro did it again in Cape Fear — total body transformation. Tom Hanks in Castaway. Chris Evans in Captain America, well, okay, that was CGI, but it was incredible. Then there was Val Kilmer in The Doors, but apparently he took that a little too seriously and never went back to his original form!
Gordon, I did consider the ones mentioned, but if I had to chose, it would have been De Niro again but I didn’t particularly like the movie. I loved De Niro’s performance, and of course, the lazily lovely Juliette Lewis, but as I didn’t really rate the movie, I didn’t mention it. Val Kilmer? You got that one right, lol
Deniro’s dedication was key, but it’s also interesting, because he was playing real person. Heath’s joker was a creation. So to be a boxer and train then be a fat guy is dedication, hard work—a little easier when you don’t work and can take 3 months off to live in italy and eat pasta or get PAID MILLIONS to train. How many of us would have those abs for a six figure salary. Deniro is the man. I like both, both men changed acting. I liked this article. I always wanted to examine brando to ledger. Brando’s brute, copied by dean, altered by newman, carried to Deniro the force of Pacino and sensitive Hoffman.; Ledger simply changed it again. The joker was not heath, it was the Joker. And Bull, I always find it interesting when people don’t like that movie. It’s not really a movie. It’s a character study. It takes after and is a direct homage to Fellini’s La Strada (almost the same ending). The movie is not about boxing. It’s about self punishment and self loathing and abuse. As a movie, it’s not that good. If you take it as the study of a man who lets life or his mind kick his butt, masterpiece. People weren’t ready for it. It’s why it didn’t win Best Picture, but Deniro got the nod. They knew the art had changed, but didn’t know how. I mean the ’70s ended the party was over, it was time for greed. Art had no place in that decade. Great article!!!
Thanks for the comment Paul (and Hi btw), It’s actually interesting to hear your take on the De Niro/RBull performance, as I hadn’t quite realised just how important that role was to that time. You, being a historian, will know better than most. I did read about the beefing up on pasta (or is that called pastaing up?) but he is/was one of the most influential actors, ever. I saw him interviewed, years ago, on the actors’ studio, which was very interesting. I just remembered. Have you see all the demo reels which include the one he tries out for the Sonny role on youtube? It’s old and was part of the box set, so you may well have. Cheers!
I think it was on a box set where he tried out for Sonny. So glad they passed and he played young Vito. Setting up, the only Oscar win for two actors playing the same character. Yea, Bull is always interesting. It’s landmarking editing, it’s shooting style is amazing. And unlike today’s Scorsese and his extreme research and attention to detail. He said on the commentary he knew nothing about boxing. He actually related to LaMotta, because in his own life he had disoriented his friends, because he was a drug addict. So he knew the self abuse and the pushing people away.
And yes, nice to share comments, since we both contribute. It’d be cool to maybe have a forum where all the contributors get together and have a chat over a few days, for the readers.