Tuesday, 15 March 2011

Best Actor 1952: Results

5. Jose Ferrer in Moulin Rouge- I was disappointed by Ferrer, since I though he really failed to really get inside of his character. I think had a good moment or two, but overall I think this was a missed opportunity.
4. Kirk Douglas in The Bad and the Beautiful- Kirk Douglas is good as the producer, who shows well his passion to get to the top as a filmmaker, I think though the colder edge of his character is not well earned by Douglas or the film. Also Douglas not given a conclusive scene for his performance, which leaves his performance from being complete.
3. Gary Cooper in High Noon- I am not really a fan of Cooper or the film High Noon, but he is effective as Marshal Will Kane. He really gives a memorable iconic, if simple turn, that works well as the moral center of the film.
2. Marlon Brando in Viva Zapata!- Brando's performance is as strong but quiet effective piece of acting that easily overcomes being miscast as a Mexico revolutionary. I really liked his performance because he played the part with realism and simplicity, and never tried to turn Zapata into a larger than life figure.
1. Alec Guinness in The Lavender Hill Mob- Guinness' performance is a well done piece of acting in terms of creating facade, but also showing a clever criminal underneath. But I really do not care about that because more importantly his performance is hilarious. He and Stanley Holloway have terrific comedic chemistry, his comedic timing his brilliant, and some spot on reactions could not be funnier.
Deserving Performances:
John Wayne in The Quiet Man

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

Guess I'll have to work on Guinness next...

Anonymous said...

Great reviews, nice work! What year comes next? I hope it's 1951, 1940 or 1973 in the leading category!

Louis Morgan said...

Sage: If you watch it, I hope you enjoy it as much as I do.

Anonymous: Thanks. Those years will come but not quite yet. The next year will be a supporting one, and the next leading will be the year that I have received the most requests for.

dshultz said...

I knew it! Guinness has always been one of my favorite actors, and it's truly a shame that he's remembered for one great role out of a career of spectacular performances.