Subtle vs. Showy

 When I read criticisms about Jesse Eisenberg in The Social Network calling him a no-range actor, I certainly think that I was watching a different movie.

Maybe it’s my bias opinion but nowhere is Eisenberg a “no-range” actor. Just take a look at that gif. After Garfield says “I’m coming back. . . for everything,” Eisenberg seems like swallowing his tears and about to cry, showing guilt and remorse on what he’s done.

I really feel that majority of people dismisses a quiet performance into “wooden,” “no-range,” or “one-note.” Subtle performances are always going to be overlooked. I think it’s because subtle always seem to be effortless that is why people automatically assume that it is easier. This made me think about acting.

Take a look at these performances:

Christian Bale vs. Heath Ledger in The Dark Knight

Mark Wahlberg vs. Christian Bale in The Fighter

Jesse Eisenberg vs. Andrew Garfield in The Social Network

Admittedly, the showy performances are going to be the scene stealers. Heath Ledger as The Joker certainly stole the show. Bale as a crack-addict certainly stole the show. Garfield smashing Mark Zuckerberg’s laptop certainly stole the show. These get recognition. These get the awards. These loud performances are critically applauded. And it is fair. But I do not like that just because someone gave out a showy performance and his co-star is subdued, it is automatically assumed that he is great while the other sucks. It is not necessarily the case. Sometimes a quiet performance is more interesting to watch.

I am no way dissing the performances of Ledger, Bale (in The Fighter) and Garfield. It is just that I think their co-stars, Bale (TDK), Wahlberg and Eisenberg took a back seat and let them shine, which takes guts.

The Curious Case of Chris Nolan

It was two years all over again as Chris Nolan, director of the commercially successful Inception, wasn’t nominated for an Oscar.

It was shocking, admittedly, especially that the Coens (directors of True Grit) were the ones who are nominated but nowhere to be seen in those critics director’s list nominees prior. I don’t know the reason for this snub, or if there is any reason at all. All I do know that it was, well, rather odd.

But to think more about Nolan and his films, the real star of his craft is the story. As I look at it deeply, Inception, though successful in every technical aspect, seems to be cold in the acting department. It is a very cool, polished film, but the only emotional impact I got from it are from Cillian Murphy’s and Marion Cotillard’s characters. 

Why I like 127 hours

"There is no force in the universe stronger than the will to survive."

The main story is just so simple – a mountaineer went into the Grand Canyon for a trek and climb. As he was about to go into a ditch a huge boulder fell on his right arm and he was stuck. Then the words “127 hours” flashed on the screen. Then you see James Franco’s face into confusion, then shock, then looks up, then looks at the rock, then a look of “what just happened???!! What am I going to do now?” And for about 1 hour and 20 minutes or so the audience is taken into that situation with the protagonist. Some may find it boring. I mean I would not really blame them.