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.