Wednesday, June 22, 2011

Sound Off: Worst Casting Ever

David Cronenberg's A Dangerous Method - in all its Keira Knightley overboard glory - I started reminiscing a bit on those frustrating moments in cinema acting. You know the ones. The film is fine, teasing with the notion of greatness, when all of the sudden 'that' person comes onto the screen. In any other role, in any other film they'd be a legend, mesmerizing star whisking you off your feet with each and every movement. Here, however, they're chewing up more scenery than a goat on speed. And it's such a shame because with each effort they make, the film just falls farther and farther from grace. Maybe in multiple viewings you're able to drop that agitation. Maybe you've come to accept it and overlook that performance for the greater good of the overall picture. But the fact remains that the film forever suffers for that one poor casting decision.

So, I ask you - What is the worst performance you've seen in a movie you love, or would have loved otherwise?

7 better thoughts:

Castor said...

Keira Knightley is hilarious over the top in the trailer but I guess we should reserve judgement until seeing her scenes in context.

Wes22 said...

Sophia Coppola in The Godfather: Part III....just awful.

Colin Biggs said...

I would say Katie Holmes in Batman Begins. Not the worst example, but the film would be perfect without her.

Univarn said...

@Everyone This post was originally going to feature a rather dominant picture of Mickey Rooney in Breakfast at Tiffany's, but Blogger decided to axe that idea.

@Castor Aye, we shall wait and see.

@Wes22 The strange thing about S.C. is that I didn't really think of her as being bad until everyone started telling me she was...

@Fitz I don't think much of the talent Katie Holmes brings to the tables, but I will say that her character offered very little to the overall film - minus a momentary trip to 'damsel in distress' land.

Colin Biggs said...

The 'damsel-in-distress-moment' is really the only slight on the film.

Second the Sofia Coppola mention. Worst case of nepotism ever.

Andrew K. said...

Katharine Houghton is kind of awful in GUESS WHO'S COMING TO DINNER. Not only is it unbelievable to think that she's the daughter of people as lucid as Kate and Spence (so odd that she actually was related to Kate) but I have no idea why Sidney's character falls for her.

Anonymous said...

A Dangerous Method is my most anticipated film of the year and I really hope pouty-Mc-Knightley doesn't blow it for me.

There's probably loads of could-have-been-great-but films that I just can't think of now.

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