Who was better at playing against the grain of their own race?
Marlon playing Asian
vs.
Robert Downey Jr. playing African-American
Let the battle ensue!
Robert Downey Jr. was playing a White man playing a Black man.
And you don't have to say "African American".
Though Teahouse was the better film, Robert Downey Jr. wins the competition. I didn't recognize Downey until halfway through the movie. He was fantastic. He did't just change the color of his skin, he changed EVERYTHING.
Marlon Brando made a passable Okinawan, but heavily stereotyped. Plus he was not so great that you could ever forget he was capital M capital B name in lights, Marlon Brando.
Actual Asians laugh at Brando's depiction. At least, the lady I watched it with who is Asian couldn't believe he was supposed to be playing Asian for real. She said she wasn't offended exactly, but close. They really should have used a Japanese actor , but then I suppose the movie wouldn't have gotten made at all.
Even if you accepted his speech as authentic, there were times when his normal accent would re-appear at the end of sentences. Still, while they should have used an Okinawan, it took me a while to realize that was Brando... I knew it was a US actor, but they certainly transformed him into somebody else.
actually when this movie released - it was a hit and initially people were asking for their money back as they dint know where brando was in the movie - they dint recognise him...
and on brando's performance - peter sellers was amazed by it...so when a comedic genius like sellers can see the greatness, there must be something there
dint...?????????
shareI agree wit kbrai. If a comedic genius like Peter Sellers was so greatly moved by it, then Brando must have done an amazing job.
Ironically, Brando, in his autobiography, says that he was not proud of this performance. As far as I am concerned, I love all of Brando's performances, even his most flawed ones. I think he is one actor whom we can find producing moments of genius, even in his worst films and roles. For me, the best actor of all time!
RDJ was simply amazing. He is one of my all-time favourite actors too.
He is brilliant in everything he does. I have yet to see a below-par performance by him :)
and on brando's performance - peter sellers was amazed by it...so when a comedic genius like sellers can see the greatness, there must be something there
How about Richardo Montalban in Sayonara? Or C. Thomas Howell in Soul Man? Or Godfrey Cambridge in Watermelon Man?
This will be the high point of my day; it's all downhill from here.
How about Ricardo Montalban playing a space alien on Star Trek? I thought he was great!
This positively infantile preoccupation with bosoms!Terry-Thomas about US 1963.Hasnt changed much!