Sunday 5 December 2010

Best Actor 1981: Results

5. Warren Beatty in Reds- Warren Beatty fails ever to do anything with John Reed, and never was believable for me. His performance is always underwhelming and never gets inside of his character.
4. Paul Newman in Absence of Malice- Newman is surprisingly dull in this movie. He just really seems to be going through the motions for the entire film save one scene which he is really good, but that is the only scene where he is not dull.

3. Henry Fonda in On Golden Pond- Henry Fonda gives an incredibly memorable, humorous, and poignant performance that is worthy of being his final film performance.

 2. Burt Lancaster in Atlantic City- Lancaster gives a good energetic performance that works well.

1. Dudley Moore in Arthur-This was really a close one for me between Fonda, and Moore. I thought both excelled equally in their roles. Moore is terrific, he is charming, incredibly funny, and still finds time to bring a certain poignancy to the role. Overall simply a great performance.
Deserving Performances:Ben Cross in Chariots of Fire
Ian Charleson in Chariots of Fire

7 comments:

dinasztie said...

Wow, I did not see this coming, but I don't mind it at all.

Fritz said...

I'm surprised, too. I don't think I agree but Moore was really great, no doubt about that!

joe burns said...

Do you considers the 80's a strong decade for this category?

Louis Morgan said...

I'd say it is a fairly strong decade even with weaker years like 85, but there usually are very strong winners like William Hurt, and especially F. Murray Abraham.

Lezlie said...

For deserving performances, I would recommend Klaus Maria Brandauer for Mephisto.

Michael Patison said...

What'd you think of William Hurt in Body Heat?

Louis Morgan said...

I have yet to see Hurt but I certainly want to see it.