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Original poster

Films with perfect casting

103 replies

Blondbombsite · 01/02/2023 15:18

I rewatched School of Rock the other day and was struck by how perfect Jack Black is in the role (I know it was written for him). It just made me think of other films which whilst not necessarily being perfect are elevated by someone who is cast perfectly and whom without the film would just be mediocre at best.

I think Dick can Dyke in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang is another one. Recast anyone else and it would be fine, but he makes the film.

OP posts:
PuttingDownRoots · 01/02/2023 15:20

Maggie Smith IS Professor Mcgonagall.

Cattenberg · 01/02/2023 15:21

I think we may have had a similar thread recently.

Wilde
The Talented Mr Ripley
Amelie

Alexandernevermind · 01/02/2023 15:23

I was going to say all of the adult cast member in the HP films are fabulous @PuttingDownRoots . Dame Maggie is such a good actor that she makes any part her's and her's own.

devildeepbluesea · 01/02/2023 15:24

Long before they cast the Potter movies I’d declare to anyone who’s listen that Richard Harris had to play Dumbledore. Nearly fell off my chair when it was announced! Michael Gambon did a good job when he stepped in too.

Alexandernevermind · 01/02/2023 15:24

Also, I've just watch The Menu and Ralph Fiennes makes it, he is outstanding.

spixblue · 01/02/2023 15:26

I think Guy Pearce as Ed Exley in LA Confidential was brilliant and I can’t imagine a different actor in that role. Also, everybody in Clueless. You can tell the 90s was my era for movies!

HoldingTheDoor · 01/02/2023 15:29

The Godfather cast is absolutely perfect imo. Every single role from the five siblings to Sollozzo to Tessio, Woltz, Cicci etc.

spixblue · 01/02/2023 15:29

Whoops, I just noticed you were asking for mediocre movies - but School of Rock is not medicocre?

ItsHitTheFanNow · 01/02/2023 15:29

Ive just watched Velvet Goldmine and all three male leads are outstanding in it: Jonathan Rhys Meyers, Ewan McGregor and Christian Bale.

ItsHitTheFanNow · 01/02/2023 15:30

Oh sorry, yes Velvet Goldmine definitely not mediocre either!

TightFistedWozerk · 01/02/2023 15:31

Dead Again.

The Three Amigos.

Original poster
Blondbombsite · 01/02/2023 15:33

spixblue · 01/02/2023 15:29

Whoops, I just noticed you were asking for mediocre movies - but School of Rock is not medicocre?

No it’s great, but it would be mediocre with anyone else in the lead!

The adults in Harry Potter are all great, apart from Michael Gambon. I’m not sure he ever read the books and didn’t seem to get Dumbledore at all. Richard Harris was perfect though.

OP posts:
maddy68 · 01/02/2023 15:34

Anything directed by Richard Curtis always has perfecting casting

MarshaBradyo · 01/02/2023 15:36

The Talented Mr Ripley

Blue Jasmine with Cate Blanchett as upper east side NYCer

Meryl Streep in The Devil Wears Prada

FuckabethFuckor · 01/02/2023 15:37

Clue. (The 1985 one.) It's not a great movie, objectively speaking. The plot is hammy, the script is uneven and the direction a bit pedestrian.

But the cast totally sell it. All are great, but especially Eileen Brennan, Madeline Kahn, Tim Curry and Christopher Lloyd. Tremendously skilled comic actors all.

I would also say Sigourney Weaver in the Alien films. With the exception of the 1979 original, those films are absolute mince (especially Alien 3 and Alien: Resurrection). But Weaver runs away with the movie, every time. She's perfect.

spixblue · 01/02/2023 15:39

Blondbombsite · 01/02/2023 15:33

No it’s great, but it would be mediocre with anyone else in the lead!

The adults in Harry Potter are all great, apart from Michael Gambon. I’m not sure he ever read the books and didn’t seem to get Dumbledore at all. Richard Harris was perfect though.

Show quote history

Jack Black is magnificent. But the stage version is thriving without him? I think all the kid actors were very funny, and it’s a brilliant script (did Jack Black co-write?

mewkins · 01/02/2023 15:42

Blondbombsite · 01/02/2023 15:33

No it’s great, but it would be mediocre with anyone else in the lead!

The adults in Harry Potter are all great, apart from Michael Gambon. I’m not sure he ever read the books and didn’t seem to get Dumbledore at all. Richard Harris was perfect though.

Show quote history

MG was struggling with illness and memory loss.

mewkins · 01/02/2023 15:43

FuckabethFuckor · 01/02/2023 15:37

Clue. (The 1985 one.) It's not a great movie, objectively speaking. The plot is hammy, the script is uneven and the direction a bit pedestrian.

But the cast totally sell it. All are great, but especially Eileen Brennan, Madeline Kahn, Tim Curry and Christopher Lloyd. Tremendously skilled comic actors all.

I would also say Sigourney Weaver in the Alien films. With the exception of the 1979 original, those films are absolute mince (especially Alien 3 and Alien: Resurrection). But Weaver runs away with the movie, every time. She's perfect.

I LOVE Clue. Especially Tim Curry.

HoldingTheDoor · 01/02/2023 15:43

Clue. (The 1985 one.) It's not a great movie, objectively speaking. The plot is hammy, the script is uneven and the direction a bit pedestrian.

I love Clue but I haven't seen it for years. I'm going to have to watch it now.

FuckabethFuckor · 01/02/2023 15:48

One of my favourite bits from Clue:

Wadsworth : Professor Plum, you were once a professor of psychiatry specialising in helping paranoid and homicidal lunatics suffering from delusions of grandeur.

Professor Plum : Yes, but now I work for the United Nations.

Wadsworth : So your work has not changed.

rookiemere · 01/02/2023 15:48

Not a film, but the series Queens Gambit. Anna Taylor Joy was literally born to play that role, without her it would just be - want to watch a miniseries about chess ! - nah you're good

HoldingTheDoor · 01/02/2023 15:49

Wadsworth : Professor Plum, you were once a professor of psychiatry specialising in helping paranoid and homicidal lunatics suffering from delusions of grandeur.

Professor Plum : Yes, but now I work for the United Nations.*
*
Wadsworth : So your work has not changed.

I love that. Grin

Simonsaysitschristmas · 01/02/2023 16:07

I think 13 going on 30 had brilliant casting. Some of the actors who played the 13 year olds looked exactly like the 30 year olds.

TooMinty · 01/02/2023 16:17

Alexandernevermind · 01/02/2023 15:24

Also, I've just watch The Menu and Ralph Fiennes makes it, he is outstanding.

I said this exact thing to my husband when we watched it last week. Perfect casting!

Minesril · 01/02/2023 16:18

Aside from 'DIDJA PUT YER NAME IN'T GOBLET OF FIRE??!!' I thought Michael Gambon was ok as Dumbledore. I mean, it should've been Patrick Stewart...

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