Otherwise good/great movies stolen by a terrible performance?

[Covered_In_Bees!]

We've done the thread a million times where we all post about a good or great (or even mediocre) movie completely stolen by a supporting actor. Val Kilmer as Doc Holliday in Tombstone usually wins that thread.

What about the other way around? An otherwise good or great movie completely stolen (e.g. ruined, or made significantly more difficult to enjoy) by a terrible performance by a secondary or supporting actor?

We can start with some obvious ones: The Godfather III and Stanley Kubrick's The Shining.

Others?

EDIT: And don't even start in with the Star Wars prequels. The don't count because they were shitty all around. Movies that only had one bad performance and were otherwise good movies please.

[iamnotbatman]

Keanu Reeves did this for me in the otherwise good Much Ado About Nothing (1993).

[Súil Dubh]

I'm no diehard Harry Potter fan, but I did read all the books, and enjoyed them quite a lot. And I wouldn't consider the movies to be classics of cinema, but again, I saw them all and enjoyed them too.

All that said, I thought Michael Gambon's performance of Dumbledore was so completely clueless that it took me right out of the film for every scene he was in. I mean it wasn't just a bad performance compared to Richard Harris' (which it was), and it wasn't just a bad performance as an adaption of the literary Dumbledore (which it was), it was a just-plain-all-around bad performance.

Every time he appeared onscreen I stopped thinking "Wow, I wonder what mysterious magical happening will happen next?!" and instead thought to myself "Wow, I'm in a darkened room with 200 other people watching a badly miscast Michael Gambon screw up a multimillion-dollar adaptation of the hugely-successful Harry Potter series".

[RealityChuck]

The more I watch it, the more I realize just how bad Dorothy Comingore is in Citizen Kane. Luckily, her bad acting is perfect for the character so it's hard to notice and doesn't ruin the film. It was her only major role (though her career was cut short by the Blacklist).

Truman Capote is notoriously terrible in Murder by Death. Luckily, he's killed off pretty soon.

[KneadToKnow]

If it weren't for Brandon De Wilde, I would own Shane and watch it semi-regularly.

And while it does not affect my interest in owning Breakfast at Tiffany's, it's worth mentioning Mickey Rooney's offensive turn there.

[silenus]

Originally Posted by KneadToKnow

And while it does not affect my interest in owning Breakfast at Tiffany's, it's worth mentioning Mickey Rooney's offensive turn there.

But is that Rooney's fault? I'd lay the blame more on the writer or director.

Jason Robards reeks in Charlton Heston's 1970 version of Julius Caesar. The rest of the cast is outstanding.

[MsWhatsit]

Originally Posted by Covered_In_Bees!

We can start with some obvious ones: The Godfather III and Stanley Kubrick's The Shining.

I read this and couldn't believe you could possibly find fault with Jack Nicholson's performance. But who else could it have been? The kid? The mystical old black dude who was barely on screen?

Then I checked IMDB. Oh yeah. Shelley Duvall. I somehow managed to completely block out her participation in this movie. (Frankly I think I preferred it that way.)

[Snickers]

"Game over, man! Game over!"

Paxton just takes me right out of the otherwise excellent Aliens.

[Sister Vigilante]

Have to disagree with Paxton.

For me it was Four Weddings and a Funeral. Excellent movie with Andie MacDowell horribly miscast. It's like she read the script and thought to herself, "now how could I possibly say this the worst way?"

And totally agree on Duvall. She bitches that he yelled at her most of the time to "get that performance" - hell it was like trying to squeeze water out of a rock. Why they didn't just fire her I'll never know.

[RikWriter]

Orlando Bloom's portrayal of Paris basically soured me on Troy, which I otherwise enjoyed.

[Maastricht]

Originally Posted by Súil Dubh

Every time he appeared onscreen I stopped thinking "Wow, I wonder what mysterious magical happening will happen next?!" and instead thought to myself "Wow, I'm in a darkened room with 200 other people watching a badly miscast Michael Gambon screw up a multimillion-dollar adaptation of the hugely-successful Harry Potter series".

I thought I was the only one thinking that!

[Slithy Tove]

Peggy Sue Got Married was a nostalgia picture that the writers tried to keep from becoming a typical 80's teen tits & zits comedy. Nicholas Cage behaved like a cartoon character to drag it back to that level.

When Otto Preminger produced George Bernard Shaw's Saint Joan, he wanted Audrey Hepburn, as anyone would. But she insisted on including Mel Frerer as the dauphin, in the traditon of "cast my spouse/save my marriage" (worth its own thread). So the part went to Jean Seaberg, the prettiest and smartest girl ever to come from Marshalltown, Iowa by golly.

Andie McDowell mentioned above is an example of "We need an American star to make it bankable across the pond" British casting that also might merit its own thread.

[Earl Snake-Hips Tucker]

Originally Posted by silenus

But is that Rooney's fault? I'd lay the blame more on the writer or director.

Yeah, Rooney did a bang-up job of what was basically a comic relief cartoon character.

[Eve]

Originally Posted by RealityChuck

The more I watch it, the more I realize just how bad Dorothy Comingore is in Citizen Kane. Luckily, her bad acting is perfect for the character so it's hard to notice and doesn't ruin the film. It was her only major role (though her career was cut short by the Blacklist).

And Orson himself ruined Lady from Shanghai with his "they're always after me Lucky Charms!" Irishman.

[astorian]

Originally Posted by RikWriter

Orlando Bloom's portrayal of Paris basically soured me on Troy, which I otherwise enjoyed.

Now, I actually thought that was perfect casting- Paris is supposed to be a pretty boy and a wimp, and Bloom was very convincing as both. His one-sided "battle" with Menelaus is just what I'd pictured when I first read The Iliad.


The only thing I hated was that the movie had Paris (rather than Aeneas) leading the Trojans to safety at the end.

[astorian]

Originally Posted by Slithy Tove

Peggy Sue Got Married was a nostalgia picture that the writers tried to keep from becoming a typical 80's teen tits & zits comedy. Nicholas Cage behaved like a cartoon character to drag it back to that level.

EXCELLENT choice. I remember thinking at the time that Nicolas Cage had NO talent as an actor.

But when I saw him giving good performances in subsequent movies, I had to reconsider. I also had to wonder...

Look, his uncle Francis Ford Coppola has made so many utter stinkers over the past 30 years. Is it possible that, terrible as Cage's performance in Peggy Sue was, Cage was just doing what his director TOLD him to do?

[Push You Down]

Originally Posted by Súil Dubh

All that said, I thought Michael Gambon's performance of Dumbledore was so completely clueless that it took me right out of the film for every scene he was in. I mean it wasn't just a bad performance compared to Richard Harris' (which it was), and it wasn't just a bad performance as an adaption of the literary Dumbledore (which it was), it was a just-plain-all-around bad performance.

I hear that a lot and I don't see it at all.
Harris' Dumbledore seemed like a well-meaning, wise but somewhat befuddled old man. A kind of typical grandfather type. I think that worked in the early books/movies.
Gambon's Dumbledore had a touch or sharp whimsy along with the charm. He could smile and wink at you, but then turn around and cut you down to pieces. He fit more what we learn about Dumbledore the person beyond just being Headmaster.



St. Elmos Fire is a decent movie with good performances by the main cast.... except for Andie MacDowell... she is awful. In fact I think the only good performance she's ever given has been in "Groundhog's Day".. everything else she appears in she is the worst part of it.

[SaharaTea]

Originally Posted by astorian

Look, his uncle Francis Ford Coppola has made so many utter stinkers over the past 30 years. Is it possible that, terrible as Cage's performance in Peggy Sue was, Cage was just doing what his director TOLD him to do?

I read somewhere that Cage used the character Pokey from Gumby as his inspiration for Charlie's voice. But Coppola did not tell him to do that - in fact, Coppola didn't like it and almost had his nephew replaced.

I still root for Peggy Sue to run off with Michael Fitzsimmons instead.

[Scupper]

Originally Posted by Snickers

"Game over, man! Game over!"

Paxton just takes me right out of the otherwise excellent Aliens.

Couldn't disagree more. I love him in that.

[Sister Vigilante]

Originally Posted by SaharaTea

I read somewhere that Cage used the character Pokey from Gumby as his inspiration for Charlie's voice. But Coppola did not tell him to do that - in fact, Coppola didn't like it and almost had his nephew replaced.

I still root for Peggy Sue to run off with Michael Fitzsimmons instead.

If you saw what he looks like now you'd perhaps reconsider. He still acts in supporting roles.

[jerseymule]

Originally Posted by Slithy Tove

Peggy Sue Got Married was a nostalgia picture that the writers tried to keep from becoming a typical 80's teen tits & zits comedy. Nicholas Cage behaved like a cartoon character to drag it back to that level.

I remember the first time I saw Moonstruck that the Nic Cage character was the weak link in an otherwise delightful movie. When he is first seen in the bakery and he bitches and moans to Loretta about how his brother ruined his life, I thought at first that he was joking, it was so over the top and ham-fisted and awful. That scene really took me out of the movie and it was hard to get back in. I never did buy it that Loretta was so smitten with him that she bothered to get her hair done all up just to meet him at the opera.

[Wheelz]

I'm somewhat hesitant to mention it, but I'm sure I would have enjoyed Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom a lot more if not for Kate Capshaw's incessant screeching all the way through.

But she may not be entirely to blame for that. I recently watched a DVD featurette that strongly suggested that her performance was exactly what Spielberg wanted for the role. And, I found out that, contrary to most people assumptions, Steven and Kate were not together before he cast her in the film, so this is not eligible for Slithy Tove's "cast my spouse/save my marriage" award. He cast her based on her acting!

[Gangster Octopus]

90% of children's performances make me want to punch the screen (to no avail of course).

[Robot Arm]

I've always thought Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow needed a stronger, sharper tongued Polly. I don't know if it was Gwyneth Paltrow's choice to play it the way she did, or if the director wanted it that way. Oddly, Blythe Danner (in her prime) would have been perfect.

[Miss Woodhouse]

Originally Posted by Push You Down

I hear that a lot and I don't see it at all.
Harris' Dumbledore seemed like a well-meaning, wise but somewhat befuddled old man. A kind of typical grandfather type. I think that worked in the early books/movies.
Gambon's Dumbledore had a touch or sharp whimsy along with the charm. He could smile and wink at you, but then turn around and cut you down to pieces. He fit more what we learn about Dumbledore the person beyond just being Headmaster.

I will say Harris did improve over the course of the three movies he was in, but his performance in the first two was so out of character it took me out of the movie on more than one occasion. Most memorable for me was Dumbledore's reaction to Harry's name being in the cup. In the book, Dumbledore immediately understands the significance of it. He knows from the start that Harry did not put his name in there. The movie Dumbledore is just as confused as everyone else and almost abusive in his reaction when he grabs Harry. It's just not the character Rowling wrote. Maybe that's a good thing for some, but it was very distracting for me.

He was alright in Movie 6 though and bearable in 5 (since he has much less screen time than in other movies) I'll give him that.

[Doug K.]

Originally Posted by RealityChuck

Truman Capote is notoriously terrible in Murder by Death. Luckily, he's killed off pretty soon.

I have to disagree with this. He delivers what is hands down the best line in the film:

"IT is perplexing!!! Use your god-damn pronouns!!"

[Ferret Herder]

Originally Posted by Snickers

"Game over, man! Game over!"

Paxton just takes me right out of the otherwise excellent Aliens.

Disagreeing on Paxton as well; I loved him and everyone else, and I quote the crap out of this line, among others from the film.

I used to hate Chris Tucker's performance in The Fifth Element as Ruby Rhod, but after the second or so viewing, I think it works. He's supposed to be that annoying; it's the character, not the performance. (If you haven't seen it, think Prince but hyperactive, with a nasal and high voice.)

[magnusblitz]

Originally Posted by iamnotbatman

Keanu Reeves did this for me in the otherwise good Much Ado About Nothing (1993).

Exactly my thought upon reading the thread title.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W7eOwKN3Goo

The scene that starts at 0:24 aways cracks me up.

[Algher]

Originally Posted by iamnotbatman

Keanu Reeves did this for me in the otherwise good Much Ado About Nothing (1993).

Came here to mention that. He was wooden, worse than James Franco at the Oscars.

[KneadToKnow]

Originally Posted by jerseymule

When he is first seen in the bakery and he bitches and moans to Loretta about how his brother ruined his life, I thought at first that he was joking, it was so over the top and ham-fisted and awful. That scene really took me out of the movie and it was hard to get back in. I never did buy it that Loretta was so smitten with him that she bothered to get her hair done all up just to meet him at the opera.

I felt the same way until later in the film when I realized the best word to describe his behavior in that scene was operatic.

[Hal Briston]

Originally Posted by Doug K.

I have to disagree with this. He delivers what is hands down the best line in the film:

"IT is perplexing!!! Use your god-damn pronouns!!"

Capote? No, that was the cow on wall.

[Hampshire]

I thought both Iron Man movies were really dragged down by Gwyneth Paltrow.
No way Tony Stark would be interested in a bore like her.

[Robot Arm]

Originally Posted by Hal Briston

Capote? No, that was the cow on wall.

Moose, moose you imbecile!

[Balance]

Originally Posted by Ferret Herder

Disagreeing on Paxton as well; I loved him and everyone else, and I quote the crap out of this line, among others from the film.

Indeed. I can't imagine the film without him.

I used to hate Chris Tucker's performance in The Fifth Element as Ruby Rhod, but after the second or so viewing, I think it works. He's supposed to be that annoying; it's the character, not the performance. (If you haven't seen it, think Prince but hyperactive, with a nasal and high voice.)

More than that, my impression is that part of is the character, and part of it is the character the character is playing. I think Tucker did it a very good job with it--good enough that even though I normally find characters like that almost unbearable, I actually enjoy his performance. Of course, I like the whole movie enough that I might just be viewing it in a generous light.

[Ludovic]

Dungeons and Dragons may not have been a good movie without Jeremy Irons, but it would have been watchable fluff. He looked, and acted, like nothing so much as a modern day corporate vice president. Which might be evil, but isn't very dark wizard-y!

[Snickers]

It must be said that I'm not really a fan of Bill Paxton - he seems to give the same performance, no matter what he's in. So it's likely that it's just him I'm objecting to. Obviously, YMMV.

[MsWhatsit]

Originally Posted by Snickers

It must be said that I'm not really a fan of Bill Paxton - he seems to give the same performance, no matter what he's in. So it's likely that it's just him I'm objecting to. Obviously, YMMV.

I liked him in Aliens, but in everything else I've seen him in, I always think, "He's just doing the same character from Aliens again." So while I didn't mind him in Aliens, I agree with your overall point.

[awldune]

Bram Stoker's Dracula is not a great movie, but I enjoy it. Except for Keanu Reeves' HORRIBLE John Harker at the beginning.

Se7en is pretty good but Brad Pitt's reaction at the end really sours me on the film.

SPOILER:

What's in the box!?! Oh god!!!

In Godfather Part III I actually thought Sophia Coppola was OK (she's a minor character anyway) but Pacino went wayyyy over the top.

Nobody has mentioned Rebecca Pidgeon yet? The Spanish Prisoner comes to mind.

[ioioio]

When I saw the thread title, I immediately thought "Andie MacDowell" without thinking of a specific movie. That's because her acting has crapped on every movie I've ever seen her in. That includes Groundhog Day, a movie I otherwise enjoy.

I see I'm not alone in my aversion to Ms. MacDowell. She's the well-paid poster child for the concept of succeeding on looks alone.

[Súil Dubh]

Originally Posted by awldune

Bram Stoker's Dracula is not a great movie, but I enjoy it. Except for Keanu Reeves' HORRIBLE John Harker at the beginning.

I just rewatched Dracula last week, and I while I agree with you, the whole film is full of hammy performances. I think that's what Coppola may have wanted.

Some of the actors are obviously doing it on purpose (Tom Waits, Gary Oldman, and Richard E. Grant), some are hopefully doing it on purpose (Wynona Ryder), and some are Keanu Reeves.

[Tom Scud]

Originally Posted by Ludovic

Dungeons and Dragons may not have been a good movie without Jeremy Irons, but it would have been watchable fluff. He looked, and acted, like nothing so much as a modern day corporate vice president. Which might be evil, but isn't very dark wizard-y!

Oh come on. It was a terrible movie.

[RikWriter]

Originally Posted by MsWhatsit

I liked him in Aliens, but in everything else I've seen him in, I always think, "He's just doing the same character from Aliens again." So while I didn't mind him in Aliens, I agree with your overall point.

He didn't seem to be doing the same character in Tombstone or Frailty.

[MsWhatsit]

Originally Posted by RikWriter

He didn't seem to be doing the same character in Tombstone or Frailty.

Haven't seen Frailty, but I will give you Tombstone. I'd forgotten he was in it.

[Justin_Bailey]

Originally Posted by astorian

The only thing I hated was that the movie had Paris (rather than Aeneas) leading the Trojans to safety at the end.

While not leading the Trojans, Aeneas is included in Paris' group of escaping Trojans at the end of the movie.

[Tamerlane]

Originally Posted by Tom Scud

Oh come on. It was a terrible movie.

Right up ( or down ) there with Highlander 2 as one of the worst of all time if you ask me. I figured Jeremy Irons was just trying to wring some personal entertainment out of the time he had to spend on the set.

[Ludovic]

I was impressed with its minimalism in world setup and stunning for the time visuals. Had it not been for the shockingly modern Irons I it would have been the worst movie I had ever enjoyed myself in the theatre for in the past 20 years. I certainly would have liked it better than Titanic (as it stands, its so-bad-that-its-bad Irons was balanced out by the so-bad-that-its-good homoerotic "Give me the ROD!" so that I simply enjoyed it as much as Titanic -- that is, not very much at all.)

[KneadToKnow]

Originally Posted by awldune

Nobody has mentioned Rebecca Pidgeon yet? The Spanish Prisoner comes to mind.

Oh, hells yes. I think it's safe to say that if you're the current Mrs. David Mamet and you're in a David Mamet film, you're the worst thing about it.

[gatorslap]

I think The World is Not Enough was a fine Bond film, except for Denise Richards.

[Feyrat]

Originally Posted by Maastricht

I thought I was the only one thinking that!

FARRR from it. I came here to post this!

[Critical1]

Keanu Reeves in the Matrix? in every thing? wait, other than Bill and Teds Excellent Adventure he has pretty much made the movie unwatchable for me.

"I know kung fu"

yeah and I know your mom dropped you on your head, repeatedly as an adult.