Sep 27, 2012

Small Roles... Big Performances blogathon

The lovely Ruth from FlixChatter had this great idea of highlighting smaller, but still impressive performances in movies, and asked me to be part of it.

The idea of this blog-a-thon is "to shine a spotlight on the 'unsung heroes' if you will, the overlooked performers who add so much richness/entertainment value to the film no matter how brief their appearance is, but yet they don't get the credit they so deserve." For general rules and other details, if you are interested in participating, click here:  http://flixchatter.net/2012/08/30/small-roles-big-performances-blog-a-thon/


When I first received Ruth's email, I had to think long and hard and even leave it for another day to actually find a performance like she was asking, I don't know why I found it so difficult to do or find. I am sure I have forgotten many great small performances, but this is what I thought of when I got the proposition. I have several choices: a very small part that maybe isn't very powerful, but that had an impact over me, a bigger, more appreciated role, and the last, the one I like and think fits the best Ruth's request. So taking that into consideration, here are my 3 choices:

1. The cigarette guy aka Carlos in A Single Man- there's no surprise in finding out that the part of the mysterious, yet highly attractive man who asks for a cigarette outside a supermarket in Tom Ford's A Single Man is a famous model that goes by the name of Jon Kortajarena. He may have an extremely small role in this stunning adaptation of the Christopher Isherwood novel, but for me it was quite memorable. It may have been for the predictable and shallow reason of me considering him to be a very attractive man, but I also think he had real charisma and appeal, making that scene ten times more sexier and sensual than a normal model/actor would have managed. Plus, it helped us understand George better and it was visually, very well made. Here's a clip of that moment:


2. Jared Leto in American Psycho- people don't give him as much credit as he deserves. I never actually understood how good an actor he was until this movie, and I haven't even seen Requiem for a dream, in which I've heard he is fantastic. He always has smaller, yet interesting and memorable parts, and American Psycho is no exception. He plays Paul Allen, one of Bateman's colleagues, who Patrick has a grudge on, because of Allen's success and charm. Leto portrays the wacky, cocky character wonderfully and blends into the crazy, unbelievable world quite easily. Here's a clip of the movie- he is in it for a short time, but the whole scene is pretty great:


3. The housekeeper from Schindler's list-Helen Hirsch played by Embeth Davidtz- Schindler's list is one of my favorite movies of all time and, in a sea of amazing actors, stunning scenes and memorable performances, I still remember her very well. Firstly for her beauty and quiet demeanour. Secondly, for the way she brought humanity to the story, the environment and the house, and more specifically, to Ralph Fiennes' character. I absolutely love the scene in the basement when he discovers her bathing, the fascinating conversation between the two and change in attitude of Amon. This could have been a turning point for him, but it wasn't, just because of his nature- no matter how much he tried to look at things from different perspectives or listen to his heart, he couldn't change. Still, Embeth's performance is breathtaking and I loved it. 




With the exception of the third choice, I am not very convinced that the first two are awards-worthy or fantastic performances, but I just wanted to highlight them one way or another. You can call them Honorable Mentions, as number 3 is the final and, probably, best choice!

Hope you enjoyed it, can't wait to see what the others chose!

14 comments:

  1. Excellent choices. I remember watching the Kortajarena scene and forgetting the breathe. That scene was deadly sexy.

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    1. It was- barely no words, but fantastic chemistry and sensual gestures. Loved it!

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  2. Ooh, great picks! I agree on Embeth Davidtz's performance. She's definitely the best of the three.

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    1. She is, I agree, and an amazing performance. The first two were chosen more for the impact or level of appeal, but Embeth is the performance!

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  3. Awesome picks Diana! I haven't seen A Single Man but I have seen Kortajena in some ads, he's gorgeous! And Embeth Davidtz is such an underrated actress, she was fabulous in Junebug and Mansfield Park as well, glad to see her being highlighted here. Thanks for taking part!

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    1. Thanks for having me Ruth! I really should see Junebug soon, I don't know how it escaped me when it first came out!

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  4. Amazing choices! Oh, God, Jon Kortajarena - that one is on my sex list :) That scene was so great, but then again the whole movie is. For a model he did really good work there!

    Leto is so much fun in AP, you should check out Mr. Nobody, I think it's his best work and a lovely movie.

    Oh, Davidtz was amazing in TSL. Too bad she is currently doing boring supporting work in various TV series.

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    1. Jon Kortajarena in your sex list? I can understand that :P
      I'm pretty sad for Davidtz, too, she is a great actress, but she's just very underrated or doesn't want huge success.

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  5. Great choices, Diana! I love the fact that you highlighted A Single Man -- that's a terrific movie. And I liked Carlos the cigarette guy, too.

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    1. Thanks, A single man is one of my favorite movies, I actually should see it again soon :)

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  6. Arguably my favorite inclusion of this blogathon I've seen yet. Excellent choices, D!

    The way Ford shot his film completely drained of contrast, vibrance and saturation, and picked such perfect moments to subtly bring those elements back in, is something I'm not sure I've seen in a movie before (and something I straight ripped off for Earrings). Great, great moment to highlight.

    Love Leto in Psycho: "Hey, Halberstram, how the hell are you?"

    And Davidtz is someone I've loved since first seeing her work as Helen Hirsch.

    Solid job here!

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    1. Thanks Alex, glad to see you liked it! I absolutely love the way Ford shot the movie and you are right in saying it is rather unique. I must see that film again soon!

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  7. Interesting pick. Jared Leto's appearance in American Psycho is definitely memorable.

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  8. I really agree with Jared Leto, an underrated performance. Great pics in general. I just finished doing this.

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