Totally Type-Cast
September 1st 2007 06:38
Some actors seem to always choose the same roles; some actors may only be offered the same roles, and a few actors play the same role whether it’s appropriate or not. I find the first two groups to be acceptable, especially as some of them appear to be great talents lacking more diverse opportunities – but the third group really vex the hell out of me.
The Unlucky:
Hugh Grant isn’t really taken seriously as an actor, but I love him. He always plays the same kind of laissez-faire guy, but he does it very well. His apathy is keenly worked – I’m sure of it!
Emma Chambers is someone I believe to be quite talented, but I think the way she looks may hold her back from some roles, coupled with how flawlessly she played the village idiot in The Vicar of Dibley.
Al Pacino is usually gruff, mobster-ish, or both in his best-known movies such as The Godfather trilogy, Scarface, Scent of a Woman and The Devil’s Advocate. But no wonder he sticks with this – the films where he tried to mix it up flopped phenomenally, such as his 1982 comedy Author! Author!
The Tedious:
Adam Sandler, Tim Allen and Jason Alexander are all comedic actors who are occasionally entertaining and always predictable. It’s one thing to always choose the same roles, but it’s another thing if you can’t do them outstandingly well.
The Exasperating:
Anne Hathaway should get a job as a weather-girl or something if she wants to be on TV. She is astoundingly insipid and ineffectual, and ruins everything she’s in with her trite Princess Diaries persona.
Jennifer Coolidge will never be anything other than Stiffler’s Mom. The woman is a caricature. But, whatever pays for the collagen..!
Jim Carrey makes me feel a little bit queasy whenever he tries to be serious, like in The Truman Show and a couple of scenes in Bruce Almighty. He looks like he’s being sarcastic, and will break into hyperactive contortions at any moment.
Coming up: My list of actors that I believe have genuine performance diversity.
Michaelie Clark
The Unlucky:
Hugh Grant isn’t really taken seriously as an actor, but I love him. He always plays the same kind of laissez-faire guy, but he does it very well. His apathy is keenly worked – I’m sure of it!
Emma Chambers and Dawn French. Courtesy of bbc.co.uk
Al Pacino is usually gruff, mobster-ish, or both in his best-known movies such as The Godfather trilogy, Scarface, Scent of a Woman and The Devil’s Advocate. But no wonder he sticks with this – the films where he tried to mix it up flopped phenomenally, such as his 1982 comedy Author! Author!
The Tedious:
Adam Sandler, Tim Allen and Jason Alexander are all comedic actors who are occasionally entertaining and always predictable. It’s one thing to always choose the same roles, but it’s another thing if you can’t do them outstandingly well.
The Exasperating:
Anne Hathaway should get a job as a weather-girl or something if she wants to be on TV. She is astoundingly insipid and ineffectual, and ruins everything she’s in with her trite Princess Diaries persona.
Jennifer Coolidge will never be anything other than Stiffler’s Mom. The woman is a caricature. But, whatever pays for the collagen..!
Jennifer Coolidge. Courtesy of entimg.msn.com
Jim Carrey makes me feel a little bit queasy whenever he tries to be serious, like in The Truman Show and a couple of scenes in Bruce Almighty. He looks like he’s being sarcastic, and will break into hyperactive contortions at any moment.
Coming up: My list of actors that I believe have genuine performance diversity.
Michaelie Clark
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Comment by Tracy
Movies and Life
This is a great topic that you written about. I agree with you about Jennifer Coolidge:
I also thought of Meg Ryan and Tom Hanks, they both play mostly the same character in their films, with just a few acceptions.
Hugh Grant is the same but I've enjoyed a few of his films like About a Boy and Four Weddings and a Funeral.
Byee
Comment by Michaelie
Flick Wit
Meg Ryan - she should be up there! so very true.
I loved Hugh in most things, but especially Four Weddings. He seemed so innocent. Who would have guessed he'd be arrested in a public toilet with a prostitute only a year later!
I will be interested to see what you think of my flip-side post.
Thanks again for the comment, Tracy!
Michaelie
Comment by Tracy
Movies and Life
Byeee
Comment by JohnDoe
Film & TV on DVD
A few that spring to mind De Niro in the last 20 years, Sandra Bullock, Julia Roberts, Tom Hanks, Keanu Reeves, Meg Ryan, Morgan Freeman, Denzel Washington, Tom Cruise etc etc etc
Comment by Michaelie
Flick Wit
Thanks muchly for the comment!
Michaelie