I agree with your sentiments 100%!
I actually first noticed him in Wait Until Dark (first saw him in The Santa Clause 3, but you can forgive me for not being bowled over by him sleepwalking through that awful film), where he was just so chilling and coldblooded. I was a little shocked to find out he's mainly a comedic actor after watching it, even though it makes sense, since he peppers the performance with moments of dark humor.
But his range really is so impressive. Watching him as the sympathetic, almost saintly john Singer in The Heart is a Lonely Hunter right after seeing him chase Audrey Hepburn with a knife was a revelation. I find he did some great work in the 1970s too: Catch-22, The Defection of Simas Kudrika, The Other Side of Hell, and of course The In-Laws come to mind. Even the flawed Magician of Lublin gives him some great moments to work with.
Such a shame he's so underrated, but that's life, I guess.
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rudeboymurray (3241)
3 years ago
Beautiful post! Yes, he's a treasure. I haven't seen all the films you mention but he was a perfect Yossarian in Catch-22.
I also first took note of him in Wait Until Dark - on TV, when I was a kid - and he absolutely terrified me. So seeing him in so many lighter roles over the years that followed was a relief in a sense! I only saw The Heart is a Lonely Hunter many years later and was blown away by his kind, graceful and heartrending performance. One of the great depictions of pure goodness in American cinema, I would say.
He is perhaps underrated, but at least he is still active and busy in his eighties, so for that we should be grateful! :)
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ElizabethJoestar (929)
3 years ago
I pretty much marathoned whatever I could get my hands on with the guy after seeing Wait Until Dark. There's something compelling about his work.
He really is fantastic. And yeah, while he coasts through a lot of his newer movies as you say, it's still great when he shows up in a movie.
Have you read the memoir he put out around 2011-- An Improvised Life? He goes deep into his acting process and it's such a great read.
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rudeboymurray (3241)
3 years ago
I haven't read it, but I was recommended it some time ago - thanks for the reminder! I shall definitely check it out. He always comes across as a sharp and funny guy, so I'm sure it's a terrific read.
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dt123 (688)
3 years ago
Thanks for the heads-up on the autobiography! Will definitely seek out. And donβt forget The Russians Are Coming! The Russians Are Coming! My favorite Arkin role.
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