# Actors that are considered good, but really aren't? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [April 18, 2008, 7:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/actors-that-are-considered-good-but-really-arent/445935 "2008-04-18T19:42:43Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![GuanoLad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guanolad/32/42_2.png) [@GuanoLad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GuanoLad)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2008, 1:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/actors-that-are-considered-good-but-really-arent/445935/21 "2008-04-19T01:19:58Z")
[QUOTE=Lobohan] So far no mention of the basking shark of cinema, Nicolas Cage? He mouth breathes so much I expect him to ignite and take off like some kind of meat-scramjet. [/QUOTE] Ah, but I don’t think anybody actually considers him to be good, as per the OP. Everyone pretty much dismisses him as a B-List dork. ---
**Author:** ![lissener](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lissener/32/6139_2.png) [@lissener](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lissener)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2008, 1:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/actors-that-are-considered-good-but-really-arent/445935/22 "2008-04-19T01:30:19Z")
(Frankly I don’t see how anyone who’s seen more than a couple Leonardo DiCaprio movies could not understand that he’s the greatest actor of his generation. I mean, I get that he had a pretty obnoxious personal life for a while, and a lot of people developed a prejudice toward him on that count, but he’s never not entirely stolen a movie away from anyone he shared a screen with. I mean did you see This Boy’s Life, Sampiro? He acted the rug right out from under _Robert Deniro_ when he was just a teenager.) Anyway, I would rather feed my eyeballs to a wolverine than watch Debra Winger in _anything_. ---
**Author:** ![HMS\_Irruncible](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hms_irruncible/32/7394_2.png) [@HMS\_Irruncible](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HMS_Irruncible)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2008, 1:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/actors-that-are-considered-good-but-really-arent/445935/23 "2008-04-19T01:47:25Z")
[QUOTE=Cisco] Mathew Fox (don’t know how universally lauded he is but someone here recently called him great) [/QUOTE] But don’t you think it sounds really intense when you end every utterance with the name of the person you’re talking to, Cisco? Did you ever think of that, Cisco? ---
**Author:** ![Cubsfan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f4b2a3/32.png) [@Cubsfan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cubsfan)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2008, 2:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/actors-that-are-considered-good-but-really-arent/445935/24 "2008-04-19T02:23:00Z")
[QUOTE=diggleblop] _Matt Damon_ - Granted, this guy has never been in a flop. Every movie he’s been in is top notch. **He is a good actor** … [/QUOTE] Huh? What’s the title of this thread and is this opposites day? ---
**Author:** ![diggleblop](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ac91a4/32.png) [@diggleblop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/diggleblop)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2008, 2:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/actors-that-are-considered-good-but-really-arent/445935/25 "2008-04-19T02:26:38Z")
To all the naysayers, I’m talking about in general. Sure, there will be one or two movies that the actors actually acted in, but for the most part, they play the same parts over and over in every movie. And yes, Harrison Ford acts the same in every movie. You can take him out of one movie and put him in another and not notice a difference. Try it mentally. I’m not talking about the clothing they have on or makeup, but the actual character. ---
**Author:** ![diggleblop](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ac91a4/32.png) [@diggleblop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/diggleblop)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2008, 2:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/actors-that-are-considered-good-but-really-arent/445935/26 "2008-04-19T02:28:07Z")
[QUOTE=Cubsfan] Huh? What’s the title of this thread and is this opposites day? [/QUOTE] What I mean is, he isn’t a shitty actor, he can hold his own. But he’s not phenomenal and versatile. If you don’t understand what I’m saying, I can’t make you. 🙂 Sorry. ---
**Author:** ![diggleblop](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ac91a4/32.png) [@diggleblop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/diggleblop)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2008, 2:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/actors-that-are-considered-good-but-really-arent/445935/27 "2008-04-19T02:31:23Z")
[QUOTE=lissener] (Frankly I don’t see how anyone who’s seen more than a couple Leonardo DiCaprio movies could not understand that he’s the greatest actor of his generation. I mean, I get that he had a pretty obnoxious personal life for a while, and a lot of people developed a prejudice toward him on that count, but he’s never not entirely stolen a movie away from anyone he shared a screen with. I mean did you see This Boy’s Life, Sampiro? He acted the rug right out from under _Robert Deniro_ when he was just a teenager.) [/QUOTE] I agree a hundred percent too. To say he’s not an outstanding actor is just plain stupid. I’m not even going to be nice about it. If you can’t see he’s a genius actor, you’re stupid and know nothing about acting. He’s literally a different person in every single movie. Go rent Basketball Diaries and then watch The Beach. Two different people entirely. And before someone nitpicks, yes, I posted three times in a row. But I’m tired, watching three kids by myself and am a little sick. ---
**Author:** ![Sampiro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/2acd7d/32.png) [@Sampiro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sampiro)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2008, 4:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/actors-that-are-considered-good-but-really-arent/445935/28 "2008-04-19T04:44:51Z")
[QUOTE=lissener] I mean did you see This Boy’s Life, Sampiro? He acted the rug right out from under Robert Deniro when he was just a teenager.) [/QUOTE] Yeah I did. Not to mention that earlier than that he’d outacted the legendary _Kirk Cameron_ (mainly because he was angled towards the mouth). I’m not saying he’s talentless at all- he’s very capable and can be good- but I think his striking looks (actually don’t know much about his private life beyond “single/rags-to-riches/obligatory gay rumors/supermodels/posse” rep) and capable acting (along with the fact he was the star of the movie) were responsible for his scene stealing more than extraordinary talent. [QUOTE=diggleblop] I agree a hundred percent too. To say he’s not an outstanding actor is just plain stupid. I’m not even going to be nice about it. If you can’t see he’s a genius actor, you’re stupid and know nothing about acting. [/QUOTE] You’re entitled to your opinion and I disagree, but let’s keep personal attacks in the appropriate places: family, politics, and the Pit. I think Matt Damon’s a better actor than you give him credit for but don’t feel the need to insult you due to a subjective disagreement. :rolleyes: (otoh, if you’d said the same thing about somebody who bashed Johnny Depp I’d agree) For the list- Philip Seymour Hoffman- he’s certainly not bad, but I think he’s way too lauded for being of average talent. Of course part of it is because I thought PSH won an Oscar for basically doing a _Capote_ impersonation, while Toby Jones absolutely _became_ the character in a just outstanding job in _Infamous_ the same year and never got a mention. ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2008, 4:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/actors-that-are-considered-good-but-really-arent/445935/29 "2008-04-19T04:59:07Z")
[QUOTE=Sampiro] Philip Seymour Hoffman- he’s certainly not bad, but I think he’s way too lauded for being of average talent. Of course part of it is because I thought PSH won an Oscar for basically doing a _Capote_ impersonation, while Toby Jones absolutely _became_ the character in a just outstanding job in _Infamous_ the same year and never got a mention. [/QUOTE] While I agree with you that Toby Jones was a much more authentic Capote (something which I think was helped by his diminutive stature. PSH was really too tall to be entirely convincing in the role), I have to protest that I think Hoffman is much better than an “average” talent. I find him compulsively watchable in just about eveything he’s in. I do think he’s better in character roles than leading roles, though (all his work in P. T. Anderson’s movies, for instance, is top notch). ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2008, 5:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/actors-that-are-considered-good-but-really-arent/445935/30 "2008-04-19T05:05:41Z")
I think there is also a category of actors who can and have been great, but who later in their careers start just picking up paychecks, working in almost anything and end up becoming parodies of themselves to such an extent that it hurts their entire legacy. Examples would include Robert De Niro, Al Pacino and Christopher Walken – all Oscar winners who have appeared in long strings of shit. ---
**Author:** ![Lakai](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/9de0a6/32.png) [@Lakai](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lakai)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2008, 5:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/actors-that-are-considered-good-but-really-arent/445935/31 "2008-04-19T05:45:02Z")
[QUOTE=Stringer] Russell Crowe is an awful actor. He plays the same character over and over, and his “emotional” scenes are completely wooden. Can’t stand him. [/QUOTE] I can’t possibly agree with this. Russel Crowe is always awesome in a movie. Now Colin Farrell sucks. I have never seen him bring anything of interest into a character that he plays. ---
**Author:** ![Cicero](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cicero/32/3594_2.png) [@Cicero](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cicero)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2008, 5:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/actors-that-are-considered-good-but-really-arent/445935/32 "2008-04-19T05:47:38Z")
[QUOTE=Sampiro] Actually, Leonardo diCaprio is one I’d put in this column. He got raves for _Gilbert Grape_, but playing a retarded character really isn’t all that hard. . [/QUOTE] I wouldn’t even have to try very hard 😛 ---
**Author:** ![pepperlandgirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/f17d59/32.png) [@pepperlandgirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pepperlandgirl)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2008, 5:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/actors-that-are-considered-good-but-really-arent/445935/33 "2008-04-19T05:53:05Z")
[QUOTE=Stringer] Russell Crowe is an awful actor. He plays the same character over and over, and his “emotional” scenes are completely wooden. Can’t stand him. [/QUOTE] Bud White (LA Confidential) is not the same character as Ben Wade (3:10 to Yuma). I mean, you don’t have to like the guy, but I think “the same character” is over-stating things. ---
**Author:** ![Mosier](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/7ea924/32.png) [@Mosier](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mosier)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2008, 5:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/actors-that-are-considered-good-but-really-arent/445935/34 "2008-04-19T05:59:04Z")
I hate Jack Nicholson, and am sickened by the thought that someone, somewhere on this stupid planet of ours is going to compare Heath Ledger to him unfavorably in their role as the Joker. Jack Nicholson was the worst possible Joker! I don’t like Robert Deniro very much, either. That lower-lip scowl works its way into every movie, and it bothers me. Ronin was absolutely unwatchable, because of him. ---
**Author:** ![Knorf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/58956e/32.png) [@Knorf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Knorf)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2008, 6:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/actors-that-are-considered-good-but-really-arent/445935/35 "2008-04-19T06:53:03Z")
Let’s also not forget that how an actor appears in a film is often very much a product of how the director (and producer) want them to appear. ---
**Author:** ![Rubystreak](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e5b9ba/32.png) [@Rubystreak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rubystreak)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2008, 7:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/actors-that-are-considered-good-but-really-arent/445935/36 "2008-04-19T07:11:37Z")
[QUOTE=pepperlandgirl] Bud White (LA Confidential) is not the same character as Ben Wade (3:10 to Yuma). I mean, you don’t have to like the guy, but I think “the same character” is over-stating things. [/QUOTE] Brash badass would sum both of them up, though. He plays a lot of brash badasses who are against tough odds for the big win, whatever that might be. I just don’t like Russell Crowe. I think he choses a lot of ego epics and then overacts through them. He’s overrated, bigtime. ---
**Author:** ![BlankSlate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blankslate/32/80_2.png) [@BlankSlate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BlankSlate)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2008, 8:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/actors-that-are-considered-good-but-really-arent/445935/37 "2008-04-19T08:46:35Z")
[QUOTE=drm] I’ve always thought that _Dennis Quaid_ was a remarkably shitty actor. It astounds me how he keeps getting work. His agent must be legendary. Now, he’s no worse of an actor than say _Keanu Reeves_, but Keanu doesn’t seem to take himself all that seriously and his projects generally reflect that so I don’t mind him. Dennis Quaid, on the other hand, seems to take himself very seriously - or at least that’s the impression I get. [/QUOTE] I really disliked Quaid when he was younger. He had that grinning cocky monkey thing that Tom Cruise still displays. But in the past 10 years or so I’ve started to enjoy some of his performances. I thought he was quite good in _Frequency_, _In Good Company_ and _Vantage Point_. ---
**Author:** ![SenorBeef](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/senorbeef/32/2220_2.png) [@SenorBeef](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SenorBeef)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2008, 8:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/actors-that-are-considered-good-but-really-arent/445935/38 "2008-04-19T08:47:00Z")
[QUOTE=Knorf] Let’s also not forget that how an actor appears in a film is often very much a product of how the director (and producer) want them to appear. [/QUOTE] I wonder too how much is casting bias. “We need a stoic, wooden badass in this role… call up Harrison Ford” vs “We need a flamboyantly gay social worker… call up Harrison Ford” Actors are likely to be put into roles they’ve already shown to be competant in. Then again, it’s generally an open casting process as far as I know so actors can try to stretch themselves… I could see that bias playing a role in how people are cast into similar roles though. ---
**Author:** ![Argent\_Towers](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e8c25b/32.png) [@Argent\_Towers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Argent_Towers)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2008, 8:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/actors-that-are-considered-good-but-really-arent/445935/39 "2008-04-19T08:51:29Z")
[QUOTE=Sampiro] Philip Seymour Hoffman- he’s certainly not bad, but I think he’s way too lauded for being of average talent. Of course part of it is because I thought PSH won an Oscar for basically doing a _Capote_ impersonation, while Toby Jones absolutely _became_ the character in a just outstanding job in _Infamous_ the same year and never got a mention. [/QUOTE] I think his best performance is either in _The Talented Mr. Ripley_ or _Happiness._ ---
**Author:** ![Omniscient](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/omniscient/32/3290_2.png) [@Omniscient](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omniscient)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2008, 9:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/actors-that-are-considered-good-but-really-arent/445935/40 "2008-04-19T09:57:33Z")
[QUOTE=Stringer] Russell Crowe is an awful actor. He plays the same character over and over, and his “emotional” scenes are completely wooden. Can’t stand him. [/QUOTE] _Gladiator_ and _A Beautiful Mind_, EXACT same character. :rolleyes: You people bashing DiCaprio are the same types of people who would bash Michael Jordan for being overhyped. “He’s great but not _that_ great.” Sure, they get a ton of credit, no one really deserves to be deified, but they are about as good as can be reasonably hoped for anyone. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/actors-that-are-considered-good-but-really-arent/445935.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/actors-that-are-considered-good-but-really-arent/445935.md?page=3)