Like most fans of the cinema, I am still saddened by the recent, unexpected loss of Alan Rickman. That deep, booming voice we are all first introduced to as Hans Gruber in "Die Hard", where Rickman made his Hollywood debut (at the spry age of 42). Younger generations known him best for his role as Severus Snape in the "Harry Potter" series. Looking back over his career, and all his memorable roles, there is one that stands out apart from the rest: The Sheriff of Nottingham in "Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves".
It stands out not because it was particularly good. It wasn't. Far from it in some points. Kevin Costner's attempt at an English(?) accent nearly ruined the entire movie. No, what saved it was Alan Rickman and his over the top performance. When casting the role, he is rumored to have turned it down, twice, until he was given free reign to interpret the role as he wanted. He did so, and then some. His performance set the standard for over the top acting, munching through scenery and upstaging every co-star.
But it worked. It really worked. It got us thinking, what are the other great overacting performances, that we should ridicule, but that actually work.
Rickman as the Sheriff of Nottingham is tops on my list. Also, another performance by Rickman was his role as the perpetually stressed out Alexander Dane (aka Dr. Lazarus) in the totally underrated "Galaxy Quest". The movie, a parody of TV Science Fiction series, stars Rickman as the Shakespearian trained actor who tries (and has failed) to avoid being typecast, reflecting the struggles Leonard Nimoy faced with his role as Spock in "Star Trek". Rather then play the part as the subdued, defeated, Brit trying to keep the stiff upper lip, Rickman took every opportunity to bemoan his fate, and his wasted gifts, to anyone who would listen. It is an underrated movie and an overacting performance for the ages.
One of my favorite sites is Last Exit to Nowhere, who sell t-shirts, posters and other memorabilia inspired by movies. Their Facebook page is one I frequent often for the very lively discussion on our favorite films. This next great overacting performance is one I must credit back to their observations: Nicol Williams as Merlin in 1981's "Excalibur". To paraphrase LEtN's assessment, basically the only scenes worth watching in the movie are the ones that involve Williams. His overacting made the movie; when he wasn't on screen, you wish he was. Truly a scene stealer for the ages and another actor who passed away far too soon.
Following in the proud tradition of Brits who overact with aplomb, is the great Terence Stamp in his role as General Zod in "Superman II". His smooth booming voice, echoed through cinema's as he demanded that we all "Kneel before ZOD!" His entire egomaniacal performance distinctive delivery should have caused us all to laugh. Laugh and laugh hard. But we didn't. We were terrified! Well done Mr. Stamp, well done.
Rounding out our list of some of our favorite overacting jobs, is a less known one, from the 1986 remake of "The Fly", John Getz. He's not a household name, but in this movie, made of largely unknowns (at the time) he made his mark. Jeff Goldblum and Geena Davis' were still largely unknown, though both had significant roles in the hits "The Big Chill" and "Tootsie", but it was the totally obnoxious, jaded former lover, that Getz as magazine publisher Statis Borans that stole the show. He could have downplayed his role, to make himself more sympathetic. But no, he didn't. He took every opportunity he could to overact and be as obnoxious as possible. I, for one, am glad that he did.
This is hardly and exhaustive list, but just some of our favorites. If you have any favorites, please feel free to share.
Cheers!
It stands out not because it was particularly good. It wasn't. Far from it in some points. Kevin Costner's attempt at an English(?) accent nearly ruined the entire movie. No, what saved it was Alan Rickman and his over the top performance. When casting the role, he is rumored to have turned it down, twice, until he was given free reign to interpret the role as he wanted. He did so, and then some. His performance set the standard for over the top acting, munching through scenery and upstaging every co-star.But it worked. It really worked. It got us thinking, what are the other great overacting performances, that we should ridicule, but that actually work.
Rickman as the Sheriff of Nottingham is tops on my list. Also, another performance by Rickman was his role as the perpetually stressed out Alexander Dane (aka Dr. Lazarus) in the totally underrated "Galaxy Quest". The movie, a parody of TV Science Fiction series, stars Rickman as the Shakespearian trained actor who tries (and has failed) to avoid being typecast, reflecting the struggles Leonard Nimoy faced with his role as Spock in "Star Trek". Rather then play the part as the subdued, defeated, Brit trying to keep the stiff upper lip, Rickman took every opportunity to bemoan his fate, and his wasted gifts, to anyone who would listen. It is an underrated movie and an overacting performance for the ages.
One of my favorite sites is Last Exit to Nowhere, who sell t-shirts, posters and other memorabilia inspired by movies. Their Facebook page is one I frequent often for the very lively discussion on our favorite films. This next great overacting performance is one I must credit back to their observations: Nicol Williams as Merlin in 1981's "Excalibur". To paraphrase LEtN's assessment, basically the only scenes worth watching in the movie are the ones that involve Williams. His overacting made the movie; when he wasn't on screen, you wish he was. Truly a scene stealer for the ages and another actor who passed away far too soon.
Following in the proud tradition of Brits who overact with aplomb, is the great Terence Stamp in his role as General Zod in "Superman II". His smooth booming voice, echoed through cinema's as he demanded that we all "Kneel before ZOD!" His entire egomaniacal performance distinctive delivery should have caused us all to laugh. Laugh and laugh hard. But we didn't. We were terrified! Well done Mr. Stamp, well done.
Rounding out our list of some of our favorite overacting jobs, is a less known one, from the 1986 remake of "The Fly", John Getz. He's not a household name, but in this movie, made of largely unknowns (at the time) he made his mark. Jeff Goldblum and Geena Davis' were still largely unknown, though both had significant roles in the hits "The Big Chill" and "Tootsie", but it was the totally obnoxious, jaded former lover, that Getz as magazine publisher Statis Borans that stole the show. He could have downplayed his role, to make himself more sympathetic. But no, he didn't. He took every opportunity he could to overact and be as obnoxious as possible. I, for one, am glad that he did.
This is hardly and exhaustive list, but just some of our favorites. If you have any favorites, please feel free to share.
Cheers!
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