Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Films

See all MNHQ comments on this thread

Actors who are guaranteed to add class to a film

211 replies

Anniegetyourgun · 27/05/2015 15:44

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?

OP posts:
Pagwatch · 27/05/2015 18:16

The Judge is really good
It's actually a really gentle film, just a story told iyswim.
Robert Downey junior is very good in it - low key and more thoughtful than much of his stuff. His scenes with Robert Duvall are great

Anniegetyourgun · 27/05/2015 18:17

Looking like Orson Welles is not such a bad thing. Sounding like Orson Welles is a Very Good Thing.

OP posts:
AlpacaLypse · 27/05/2015 18:22

Timothy Spall, Bill Nighy, Maggie Smith.

AlpacaLypse · 27/05/2015 18:22

Has Celia Imrie never not done a duff performance as well?

Frizzbeol · 27/05/2015 18:22

Definitely Daniel Day Lewis I'd say

AlpacaLypse · 27/05/2015 18:23

Oh and Penelope Wilton.

crossparsley · 27/05/2015 18:23

Frances MacDormand
William H Macy
Lily Tomlin
Joseph Gordon Levitt (as a grown-up - has anyone seen Brick?)
Kimberley Nixon (I know she's young but she is fab and seems to be in the best sorts of the things she's in)
Mark Peat
Eddie Marsan
Richard Lindsay
Although any of them is bound to disappoint if they touch anything by Stephen Poliakoff - he's the opposite, guaranteed grape at actors, great production values, beautiful cinema(tele)tography and awful vacant product

TheTravellingLemon · 27/05/2015 18:23

Alan Rickman and I totally would.

crossparsley · 27/05/2015 18:24

Grape at = great.
Sorry

Wristy · 27/05/2015 18:36

Albert Finney
Billy Crudup,

And just because there are not enough women on the list Geena Davis and Goldie Hawn. I really need to stop now this could devour my evening.

marshmallowpies · 27/05/2015 18:36

Yes to the Gyllenhaals (both) and Cusacks (both) and Kevin Spacey.

Michael Sheen, on screen and stage, and also Rory Kinnear and Simon Russell Beale on stage.

A new favourite is David Wenham, who played Faramir in LOTR, he was in the recent TV drama about convicts in Australia, Banished, and he had a real sense of gravitas and deep seriousness which I loved.

The best ensemble cast of any film, ever, in my opinion, is LA Confidential. Every single person perfectly cast and acting to their full potential, especially Russell Crowe and Guy Pearce. Just outstanding.

Jasonandyawegunorts · 27/05/2015 18:37

audrey hepburn

marshmallowpies · 27/05/2015 18:37

Oh and Allison Janney, love her in Juno and in the West Wing, I can't imagine disliking her in anything.

Wristy · 27/05/2015 18:42

If you like David Wenham try top of the lake.

Baddz · 27/05/2015 18:50

God I love LA confidential!
Robert Downey jnr was amazing in restoration
He should have won the Oscar that year

TheWrathofNaan · 27/05/2015 18:51

maxine peake

AlpacaLypse · 27/05/2015 18:52

I don't think I've ever seen a duff performance from Christopher Eccleston either.

fuckthetaps · 27/05/2015 18:53

Benicio Del Toro

MrsHathaway · 27/05/2015 18:53

Kevin Bacon.

Brad Pitt is accused of being boring but Kalifornia, Troy (despite the accent) and Ocean's Eleven are such different films and all classics the better for his involvement.

Maggie Smith

Helen Mirren

John Malkovich

Yy Cusacks and particularly together. Grosse Point Blank is a triumph.

Wristy · 27/05/2015 18:59

John Hurt
Sigourney Weaver
Ian Holm (Sorry, Alien fan)

Wristy · 27/05/2015 19:01

Ooh the mention of Troy- Eric Bana.

MrsHathaway · 27/05/2015 19:02

And his wife, the utterly brilliant Toni Collette.

Ooh and Helena Bonham Carter.

Wristy · 27/05/2015 19:05

Holly Hunter, I love her in A Life Less Ordinary.

MrsHathaway · 27/05/2015 19:06

Rhys Ifans - so versatile and credible.

vindscreenviper · 27/05/2015 19:07

Yeah to Grosse Point Blank MrsH

With bonus Violent Femmes!