Actors who are guaranteed to add class to a film

[Anniegetyourgun]

I was just posting in the Avengers thread and a thought occurred which I decided might make a good topic on its own.

I had been going to say that the presence of Samuel L Jackson always adds class to a movie, sometimes sorely needed Star Wars . Some film critic or other made this comment years ago about Sam Neill, which I agree with. Others that spring to mind are Judi Dench, Morgan Freeman and the much lamented Pete Postlethwaite. If they're in it there will be at least one little area of, shall we say, gravitas; some credibility; some dignity.

I'm not sure it's even about star quality. Possibly not. They don't have to carry a movie; in a minor supporting role they still manage to add a little stamp of authenticity to even the biggest steaming pile of shite.

This is not a crumpet thread. Attractiveness or lack thereof is irrelevant (no objections to it being mentioned in passing though). "I always watch so-and-so because he's so dreeeeamy" is far too well catered for elsewhere. We are talking about Class with a capital C.

Anyone want to play?

Tom Hanks

Yes definitely Philip Seymour Hoffman and Judi Dench.

On TV Eddie Marsan. Genius. I'd watch him in anything. (Definitely not a crumpet call, though he's so brilliant, that in itself is sexy.)

Sev, you have to be on the wrong thread ;) Liam Neeson is crumpet not class. Nothing could redeem Taken.

Ooh, Jim Broadbent.

Agree re late lamented Philip Seymour Hoffman, brilliant actor in so many different roles, completely impossible to typecast. Any film that I found that had him in it, was guaranteed to be interesting, thought-provoking, or even just completely surprising.

D

Morgan Freeman, definately. Also, Diana Rigg in Game of Thrones.

Eddie Marsan, definitely!

Maybe Sally Hawkins?

Has anyone seen Judi Dench in the sequel to Pitch Black? Her mouth was a speaking the film's dialogue but her body language was saying "I'm going to sack my agent for this".

I like it when an actor disappears into the role, so that I forget he or she is an actor and think of them only as the character. Tom Hardy is brilliant for that, and Robert Downey Jnr and Toni Collette.

Timothy Spall.
Matthew McConnoughy
Helen Mirren
Helena Bonham Carter.
Tilda Swinton

Kevin Bacon, James Woods, Sean Penn.
Leonardo di Caprico is a cracking actor.

Kevin Spacey. He's always marvellous, and so utterly believable in whatever role he's playing.

I love Michael Fassbender too, always worth watching something he's in.

Bill Nighy although i accept i might be a tiny bit in love with him

Dicaprio

Ooh yes to Kevin Spacey.
Jodi Foster

And the great Streep!

Ooo yes, Bill Nighy - brilliant.

Also Emma Stone, not sure why but there's something so compelling about her

silveracorn I actually love Taken. My DP has a man crush on Neeson, but I do not. I just like him

Ah. Sorry, Sev.

I have yet to see Amy Adams put in a shit performance.

I watched August: Osage County last night with the Streep, who was great but honestly Julia Roberts was awesome. I wasn't expecting that.

Amy Adams in The Fighter- Brilliant

Don't apologise, I get that some people think Taken is a terrible film. I've not seen the sequels because I know they'll probably be pretty terrible.

I was unconvinced by Michael Fassbender until, oddly, I saw Frank. He's so great in that.

Liam Neeson is awful. He hasn't done anything good I can think of for a decade.

Clint Eastwood in gran Torino

DiCaprio is undeniably a good actor but I dunno, he just annoys me in stuff. Can't get past it.

Geoffrey Rush?

Frank
The Frank Sidebottom biopic?

Star wars has the great James Earl Jones doing a voice over though. Do voice overs count?

Yes, I know that sounds batty but he acts within that bloody head for chunks of the film and he is so readable. He sort of diminishes himself at the end. It's difficult to explain ( partly because I am an idiot)