# Best Facial Acting In the Movies **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [June 14, 2017, 1:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-facial-acting-in-the-movies/788914 "2017-06-14T01:25:54Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 19\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Face\_Intentionally\_Left\_Blank](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/face_intentionally_left_blank/32/288_2.png) [@Face\_Intentionally\_Left\_Blank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Face_Intentionally_Left_Blank)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2017, 8:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-facial-acting-in-the-movies/788914/41 "2017-06-16T08:20:49Z")
> [@Llama\_Llogophile](#): > > But seriously… There’s a [great moment in Almost Famous](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-hDPK865N9I) where Kate Hudson goes through an impressive range of emotions after hearing some bad news. Ooh, good one! Contrast that with the mediocre performance her co-star is giving in the same scene. ---
**Author:** ![gaffa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e68b1a/32.png) [@gaffa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gaffa)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2017, 3:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-facial-acting-in-the-movies/788914/42 "2017-06-16T15:56:09Z")
> [@Darren\_Garrison](#): > > Also, [the ballroom scene](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oaArR4OQAfE) from _Enchanted_ (especially with Amy Adams and Adele Dazeem.) …or the scene where she gets angry. She touches Patrick Dempsey’s chest, and changes from a cartoon into a real woman. [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/kVADyXM2f_A/maxresdefault.jpg "Enchanted - Amy Adams 'angry' scene (HD)") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kVADyXM2f_A) ---
**Author:** ![MoonMoon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/moonmoon/32/2959_2.png) [@MoonMoon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MoonMoon)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2017, 4:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-facial-acting-in-the-movies/788914/43 "2017-06-16T16:05:12Z")
> [@Poysyn](#): > > Emma Thompson in **Love, Actually** when she realizes the necklace was for someone else, and she goes into the bedroom for a quick sob, then pulls herself together for her kids. Yes. And the funeral scene with Liam Neeson. When he puts the coffin on his shoulder and starts walking, his face is the very picture of grief. Unfortunately, he had a lot to draw from. ---
**Author:** ![Tim\_R.Mortiss](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tim_r.mortiss/32/142_2.png) [@Tim\_R.Mortiss](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tim_R.Mortiss)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2017, 4:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-facial-acting-in-the-movies/788914/44 "2017-06-16T16:05:49Z")
Not a movie, but in the TV show _Psych_, Dule Hill played straight man to the manic main character, and even though he got relatively few actual lines, his facial reactions to the antics were always priceless. ---
**Author:** ![Flare4roach](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/7cd45c/32.png) [@Flare4roach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Flare4roach)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2017, 12:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-facial-acting-in-the-movies/788914/45 "2017-06-17T00:28:52Z")
Wow, I fully expected my fave scene to be mentioned but it wasn’t so here goes… I’ve always been blown away by Robert DeNiro’s facial expressions in “Goodfellas” when he’s standing at the bar and he’s mulling over the pros and cons of whacking Morrie. His character simply had enough of this “pain in the balls” bugging him about getting paid. Scorsece highlighted the moment with Cream’s “Sunshine of Your Love” playing in the background. DeNiro is simply brilliant in this one scene. [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tOWaHTlq-hI](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tOWaHTlq-hI) ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2017, 1:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-facial-acting-in-the-movies/788914/46 "2017-06-17T01:14:26Z")
Robert Forster as Max Cherry in Jackie Brown; the last scene where he watches her leave his office and get in a car to go to the airport, heading for Spain. You can see that he immediately regrets his decision but doesn’t know how to change it and over the course of just a few seconds, you see a man go from a kind of detached and distracted peace to focussed longing and regret to sorrowful resignation. It’s a powerful and nuanced shot. His work in that film over-all is amazing, but that shot fucking blows me away every time I watch the film. I think it’s a travesty that his work in that film is so un-recognized. ---
**Author:** ![Defensive\_Indifference](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/defensive_indifference/32/6502_2.png) [@Defensive\_Indifference](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Defensive_Indifference)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2017, 1:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-facial-acting-in-the-movies/788914/47 "2017-06-17T01:52:51Z")
> [@Snowboarder\_Bo](#): > > Robert Forster as Max Cherry in Jackie Brown; the last scene where he watches her leave his office and get in a car to go to the airport, heading for Spain. You can see that he immediately regrets his decision but doesn’t know how to change it and over the course of just a few seconds, you see a man go from a kind of detached and distracted peace to focussed longing and regret to sorrowful resignation. It’s a powerful and nuanced shot. > > His work in that film over-all is amazing, but that shot fucking blows me away every time I watch the film. I think it’s a travesty that his work in that film is so un-recognized. That’s a good pick. Forster and Grier were both very good in that movie. ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2017, 1:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-facial-acting-in-the-movies/788914/48 "2017-06-17T01:56:43Z")
> [@Bayard](#): > > That’s a good pick. Forster and Grier were both very good in that movie. Thank you. IMO, it’s Tarantino’s 2nd best movie (behind only _Pulp Fiction_) but it’s my favorite of his films. ---
**Author:** ![terentii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terentii/32/212_2.png) [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2017, 2:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-facial-acting-in-the-movies/788914/49 "2017-06-17T02:02:07Z")
> [@Bayard](#): > > That’s a good pick. Forster and Grier were both very good in that movie. The moment that got me was when Forster and DeNiro bump into each other in the Ladies’ Department just as the scam is going down. Not a word is spoken, but it doesn’t have to be: \*_Whoa! (What the fuck is he doing here?)_ _Hey, how’s it goin’? (Shit, he saw me! I hope he doesn’t put two and two together!)_ _Ah, it’s prob’ly just a coincidence. Nothin’ to worry about…_\* ---
**Author:** ![Defensive\_Indifference](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/defensive_indifference/32/6502_2.png) [@Defensive\_Indifference](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Defensive_Indifference)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2017, 2:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-facial-acting-in-the-movies/788914/50 "2017-06-17T02:06:56Z")
> [@Bayard](#): > > That’s a good pick. Forster and Grier were both very good in that movie. Here’s the bit focusing on Forster: [https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=jj1lH26Ky08](https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=jj1lH26Ky08) And the end, with Pam Grier lip synching to “110th Street” (not sure if that’s the correct title of the song), also showing some great facial acting: [https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=lejn5narUJ0](https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=lejn5narUJ0) Also, that was a great kiss scene. No face mashing and pawing at each other, just a realistic kiss between two middle aged people who know they’ll never see each other again. ---
**Author:** ![Banksiaman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/banksiaman/32/3334_2.png) [@Banksiaman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Banksiaman)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2017, 3:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-facial-acting-in-the-movies/788914/51 "2017-06-17T03:23:43Z")
The final stand-off in the cemetery in [The Good, The Bad and the Ugly](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aJCSNIl2Pls). Not just face-acting but the finest eye-ball acting, combined with epic music, razor-sharp editing and the real possibility that the good guy might not win. In fact the entire movie relishes the opportunity to use non-Hollywood type faces, literally warts and all portrayals. ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2017, 3:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-facial-acting-in-the-movies/788914/52 "2017-06-17T03:27:27Z")
> [@Bayard](#): > > Here’s the bit focusing on Forster: [https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=jj1lH26Ky08](https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=jj1lH26Ky08) > > And the end, with Pam Grier lip synching to “110th Street” (not sure if that’s the correct title of the song), also showing some great facial acting: [https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=lejn5narUJ0](https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=lejn5narUJ0) > > Also, that was a great kiss scene. No face mashing and pawing at each other, just a realistic kiss between two middle aged people who know they’ll never see each other again. It’s the bit in the 2nd link that I’m mostly talking about. The whole scene is great, but that last shot of Max, where you can see that he realizes he blew it and he almost goes after her… but then he doesn’t and almost immediately he regrets THAT decision and the last we see of him he appears to be trying to physically console himself… that shit is awesome. Just fucking awesome. And yeah, Pam Grier’s best work, too. That lady is amazing. My niece is attending her alma mater and if I get the chance, I wanna meet her. Pam Grier’s been rocking my world since the early '70s. ---
**Author:** ![4d3fect](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/4d3fect/32/9728_2.png) [@4d3fect](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/4d3fect)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2017, 3:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-facial-acting-in-the-movies/788914/53 "2017-06-17T03:31:44Z")
> [@RealityChuck](#): > > Katherine Helmond in _Brazil_ “my complications had complications!” ---
**Author:** ![The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/the_other_waldo_pepper/32/12370_2.png) [@The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Other_Waldo_Pepper)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2017, 11:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-facial-acting-in-the-movies/788914/54 "2017-06-17T11:14:28Z")
> [@Marci\_Al](#): > > No words. Just the face. Here are mine: > > 1. Michael Corleone hugging Fredo but looking at Al with something clearly different in mind. > [@Cayuga](#): > > _Dog Day Afternoon_ — Al Pacino and John Cazale are in the process of robbing a bank. Blinds are drawn, employees are herded into a corner. The phone on a manager’s desk rings; Pacino tells him to answer it. The manager says, “Hello?” listens a minute, and then holds the phone out to Pacino. “It’s for you.” > > A dozen different thoughts flash across Pacino’s face in about 5 seconds. Pacino as _Michael Corleone, The Guy At A Restaurant Who Has A Lot On His Mind_. ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2017, 11:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-facial-acting-in-the-movies/788914/55 "2017-06-17T11:51:32Z")
> [@Cayuga](#): > > _Dog Day Afternoon_ — Al Pacino and John Cazale are in the process of robbing a bank. Blinds are drawn, employees are herded into a corner. The phone on a manager’s desk rings; Pacino tells him to answer it. The manager says, “Hello?” listens a minute, and then holds the phone out to Pacino. “It’s for you.” > > A dozen different thoughts flash across Pacino’s face in about 5 seconds. I agree with **TOWP** that this is a good pick; excellent performances throughout the film and that’s a great moment, **Cayuga**. ---
**Author:** ![Guest-starring\_Id](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guest-starring_id/32/21736_2.png) [@Guest-starring\_Id](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guest-starring_Id)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2017, 10:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-facial-acting-in-the-movies/788914/56 "2017-06-17T22:44:43Z")
Laura Dern shows her feelings [here](https://youtu.be/Ehp4PCcKHCM?t=6185) (NSFW) in _Blue Velvet_, meanwhile Frank gets a little expressive with his [emotions](https://youtu.be/Ehp4PCcKHCM?t=4796) too. ---
**Author:** ![gaffa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e68b1a/32.png) [@gaffa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gaffa)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2017, 11:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-facial-acting-in-the-movies/788914/57 "2017-06-17T23:18:47Z")
> [@4d3fect](#): > > “my complications had complications!” Actually, that character’s daughter Shirley, played by Kathryn Pogson, has the best bit of facial acting in the film. She only has two scenes - the restaurant scene where she only has two lines “Salt?” and “Pepper?” but even better is at one hour and two minutes into the US DVD at Mr. Helpmann’s party, where she tells Sam “It’s alright, I don’t like you either” and he trips over her feet leaving to meet up with Jack (Michael Palin). There is this rapid fire chain of expressions on her face that are hilarious! ---
**Author:** ![gkster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gkster/32/14107_2.png) [@gkster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gkster)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2017, 6:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-facial-acting-in-the-movies/788914/58 "2017-06-19T06:29:04Z")
Audrey Hepburn and Gregory Peck in the final scene of _Roman Holiday._ The way they look at each other with love, longing, regret, respect, resignation, pain, sacrifice…there’s so little they can say but so much they try to convey as they gaze at each other. It always makes me cry. ---
**Author:** ![mbh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a6a055/32.png) [@mbh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mbh)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2017, 11:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-facial-acting-in-the-movies/788914/60 "2017-06-19T11:36:32Z")
Some good bits from bad movies: The climax of _Way of the Dragon_ (U.S. title _Return of the Dragon_). Near the end of the fight between Bruce Lee and Chuck Norris, there is a brief pause. Neither actor says a word, but with their eyes, Colt makes a request, and Tang refuses. _The Mummy Returns_, just before Imhotep falls into the pit, as he realizes that his girlfriend has betrayed him. The actor doesn’t say a word, but the audience can tell what’s going through the character’s head. _The Man in the Iron Mask_. There is the Good Twin, and the Evil Twin, both played by Leonardo diCaprio. You can tell which one is in the iron mask, just by the expression in the eyes. Keanu Reeves has a monotone voice, but he has an expressive face. He would have been a superstar in the silent film era. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-facial-acting-in-the-movies/788914.md?page=2)