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SALT LAKE CITY — It’s a common moviegoing phenomenon: indifference toward or even disliking an actor until he plays a character that truly connects with the audience. There are actors, however, that are able to distinguish themselves from the rest through a combination of unique opportunities and palpable talent.
Here are several films featuring actors who have left an impression on me and whose other films I will likely see.
"500 Days of Summer" (PG-13) — Joseph Gordon-Levitt
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As far as indie films go, this one gushes with quality. Gordon-Levitt stars as a lovesick greeting card writer in Los Angeles. He falls for the quirky Zooey Deschanel, with whom he clashes on the ever-present theme of “soulmates” — and whether they truly exist.
The film takes us through their doomed relationship in a non-linear form, flying back and forth through time to give us an unusual take on the “love story,” which, as the narrator informs us in the beginning, is not what this film is.
Gordon-Levitt impresses me in this film for a few reasons, but one of the most impressive things I take from his performance is the subtle facial expressions he uses to convey emotion in certain scenes; angst, excitement, fear and anger are all so well-expressed on his face that I am able to relate his emotions with experiences I have had personally.
One of my favorite parts of his performance is toward the end, as he runs into Zooey and has a bit of closure after the smoldering wreckage of their relationship has cooled. They are sitting there, side by side, and she puts her hand on his. He looks over at Zooey and conveys this, “I can’t believe you just did that because I’m still getting over you” look. If you had enjoyed and/or connected with this movie up to that point, then that scene will seal the deal for you.
I believe Gordon-Levitt gives a solid performance in whatever he does and look forward to his blossoming career as a lead actor.
Side note: Did you know Gordon-Levitt played Roger in "Angels in the Outfield"? I loved that movie as a kid.
"Warrior" (PG-13) — Tom Hardy and Joel Edgerton
It’s hard for me to choose just one of these actors to write about.
"Warrior" is one of my absolute favorite movies, and not because I’m a mixed martial arts fan; in fact, I had never seen MMA before this film was released.
The movie explores estranged family relationships and the concept of forgiveness. I went in with high hopes and left astounded. Three-quarters of the way through the movie I realized I hadn’t come across one bad scene, one bad line, or one bad piece of acting. I actively searched for faults for the rest of the film and came up with none. For those who know me, they would admit that’s as rare as a good "Twilight" movie.
Both Hardy and Edgerton are foreign actors, so their use of accents was fantastic; however, it was Hardy’s that truly impressed me, as he was able to put on a region-specific accent with a slur (not an easy thing to do).
Hardy and Edgerton work seamlessly together, as if they had been brothers in real life with an old score to settle. The intensity with which characters compete for the grand prize in the tournament is matched only by the actors’ zeal in perfecting their performances. This is one that everyone will enjoy, as it not only inspires, but warms the heart as well.
Side note: Edgerton has come quite a long way from playing Owen Lars in the Star Wars prequels.
"Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl" (PG-13) — Johnny Depp
I dare you to mention the word “pirate” around anyone who has been even remotely conscious in the last 10 years and have that person not think of this actor or the franchise.
Depp’s Captain Jack Sparrow is our definition of a pirate, just as Harrison Ford’s Indiana Jones is our definition of an archeologist (even though there might be some archeology majors who would strongly disagree). Depp’s eccentric, over-the-top performance endeared him to audiences worldwide.
Countless Captain Jack costumes have been donned in honor of his Oscar-nominated performance. Depp's, or rather Jack’s, charisma stems from his ability to roll with the punches and always be thinking one step ahead of everyone else … like a carpenter making stairs (thanks Michael Scott).
His cockney accent made him stand out among the rest of the cast, which sported either formal British accents or just downright poor ones, like Orlando Bloom's (and he's English!).
What capped Depp's performance was his abrupt seriousness upon pulling the trigger on his nemesis, Captain Barbossa, after waiting 10 long years to do so. We got to see that Jack Sparrow was not all fun and games, but that he had a serious side and was not to be trifled with. This movie is fun all around and propelled Depp to worldwide stardom.
Side note: In "Finding Neverland" Depp sports Sparrow’s accent in his pirate play-along scene.
"Skyfall" (PG-13) — Javier Bardem
This man is probably the least well-known on the list, but is among the most talented in Hollywood.
Hailing from the great nation of Spain (the Canary Islands, to be specific) Bardem is the Brad Pitt of Spain and Europe. He is married to Penelope Cruz, making them the veritable “Brangelina” (Javelope?) of that entire continent. He has been nominated for an Oscar three times, and won best supporting actor for 2007’s “No Country for Old Men.”
Bardem’s take on Silva, Skyfall’s villain, is a mix between the calculating Bane and the maniacal Joker. His quarrel, however, is not with Bond, but with M. The introduction of the villain and his first one-on-one with Bond is a classic scene (having lived in Spain, I enjoyed his Spanish mannerisms and fillers).
Bardem’s seasoned acting skills are highlighted in this scene, as his precise pauses, stares and facetious remarks are what make him such a captivating character to watch. Bardem’s notoriety in the U.S. can only skyrocket because of his performance in this blockbuster, billion-dollar movie.
I, for one, am very excited to see what else Bardem has in store.
Side note: For those of you who enjoy foreign films, check out Bardem in “The Sea Inside,” which won the Oscar for best foreign language film in 2004; it's a great flick.
Star Wars series and Indiana Jones series (PG/PG-13) — Harrison Ford
I know, I know ... but I had to include him. This man played two of the greatest characters in movie history. How could anyone watch either franchise and not just love this guy?
His gruff, sarcastic manner as both Han Solo and Indiana Jones caused audiences to keep coming back for more (even in 2008, yuck). Professor Jones was an unassuming university teacher by day, treasure hunter by ... well, day.
Han Solo was a space pirate whose heart was won over by a rebel princess.
Ford’s smile was his moneymaker and as much as his female co-stars resisted, they all ended up falling victim to it in the end.
To this day he remains my favorite actor and even though he tries to disappoint me ("Hollywood Homicide", "Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull"), he’ll always be Indy Solo to me.
I am looking forward to seeing him in “Paranoia," “Ender’s Game” and “Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues” later this year!
Side note: Did you know that Tom Selleck was supposed to play Indy but dropped out to stick with "Magnum, P.I." and Kurt Russell auditioned for Han Solo? Ford was a carpenter who had previously starred in George Lucas' “American Graffiti” and was helping Lucas read lines for Solo's character, when Lucas realized Ford was the man for the job.
What actors have impressed you? Is there a certain movie you would add to the list? Let me know! Daniel Stevens graduated with a BA in Spanish from Weber State University in April of 2013. He is happily married and enjoys film and sports. Contact him at daniel91977@yahoo.com
