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What's the most difficult character archetype to play?

posted 4 years ago by kukuxu (5409)
21 replies | jump to latest

I was watching a Korean drama which is actually quite entertaining. One problem, though, the (allegedly) badass main character (one of the main characters) seems more a pretty guy trying to act cool.

And that's not uncommon. The usual tough badass main character who is at the same time a seductive womanizer, that's a difficult character to play. It goes often too badass to be charming, or too charming to be badass. I've only seen Sean Connery pulling off the trick easily (Robin and Marian, The Wind and the Lion).

Other difficult archetypes to play? Or other actors that do it well?

[–] [deleted] 4 years ago

Depends on the actor. Even the best have their strengths and weaknesses. Nicholson excels at playing kind of edgy mischievous characters. He might have a tougher time playing a more meek and mild character like someone like Michael Cera plays all the time (though Nicholson is the better actor). And I don't think anyone would buy Cera as a badass, no matter how much time and effort he put into the part.

[–] kukuxu (5409) 4 years ago

I disagree about Nicholson. He could play meek and mild characters without problems, though he rarely did. In Wolf (1994) he plays a meek and mild character that becomes edgy and mischievous because of the Werewolf curse, and he does the meek and mild part credible. I remember that was a surprise, when I watched the movie, I didn't expect it.

[–] movieace11 (1301) 4 years ago

He also nailed the meek and mild character in As Good As It Gets (1997). But it's not that convincing, because his face just looks evil.

[–] [deleted] 4 years ago

Wolf you might have a point, though I don't think he reaches Michael Cera levels of meekness. He played that kind of guy in one of his first movie parts, Little Shop of Horrors too. Maybe not the best example, but I think you get my point.

I don't see his character in As Good As it Gets as that way, though. He was a pretty mercurial, angry guy, though he does reign that in when he gets interested in Helen Hunt's character.

[–] kukuxu (5409) 4 years ago

You're right. I don't think there's any living being that reaches Michael Cera level of meekness, though. You could make a meekness scale using Cera as the absolute top. 😄

[–] Drooch (5333) 4 years ago

About Schmidt would be a better example of Nicholson playing meek.

[–] bigbadwolf666 (4707) 4 years ago

I think Jack can play anything.

[–] db20db (16209) 4 years ago

As opposed to "meek and mild", I prefer gentler, compassionate in his role as Jerry Ford in The Pledge. And I think the performance is contrary to the hard-boiled persona (which could actually also be considered an archetype) in which retired, veteran detectives are often portrayed. The movie even ends on a note of despair, with the character appearing tormented, even pathetic.

[–] Quasimodo (16388) 4 years ago

Nicholson played a retired office worker in ' About Schmidt '. I don't know about meek exactly but he was certainly a reserved and conservative character in that role.

[–] ShogunofYonkers (71826) 4 years ago

The villain makes the movie, bad guys are probably the toughest to write and act

[–] movieace11 (1301) 4 years ago

tough badass main character who is at the same time a seductive womanizer = Brad Pitt

[–] kukuxu (5409) 4 years ago

I disagree. Brad Pitt can play the badass or he can play the womanizer, but he can't blend both well.

[–] movieace11 (1301) 4 years ago

I wanted to write Ryan Gosling first, but what you said is definitely true in his case.
With Pitt, idk... Even if he's not playing a womanizer, he usually shows a romantic side (Mr. and Mrs. Smith, Troy). Not as good as Connery, though.

[–] kukuxu (5409) 4 years ago

Another option: Denzel Washington. He's very good playing both too. But I don't remember any role where he blends them well.

[–] Sarmoviefan26 (1368) 4 years ago

I’d add Robert Downey Jr. He did both pretty well as IronMan. Really bad ass and very seductive and charming.

Chris hemsworth as Thor is another one who can pull of both

[–] [deleted] 4 years ago

Normal. No one's been able to successfully pull it off yet.

[–] Who (5146) 4 years ago

Seductive villains: Christian Bale, Michael Fassbender, Vincent Cassel, Ralph Fiennes

[–] movieace11 (1301) 4 years ago

For me 'villain' and 'tough guy' are different characters. The tough guy is usually on the right side.

[–] Wint3rFir3 (6931) 4 years ago

To play? I'd say likeable, grounded sidekicks.

For example, I think villains are usually poorly written and definitely poorly directed, which is why so many of them come off as cheesy or silly a lot of the time, but if we could get the best Lex Luthor to ever exist in a show as campy as Smallville, then it doesn't seem like they're that hard to play.

But despite how they're written, making a sidekick both likeable and grounded seems like it would be pretty hard to pull off. Likeable alone is a tough gig.

[–] aliensalmon (5104) 4 years ago

Anybody whose character is witty, like a smart-aleck type I guess.

[–] Quasimodo (16388) 4 years ago

Playing God is difficult. Satan on the other hand is not so difficult.