MovieChat Forums > Lone Star (1996) Discussion > what is it about Chris Cooper??

what is it about Chris Cooper??

posted 20 years ago by lilianelle
53 replies | jump to latest

I can't seem to take my eyes off the guy. I swear to god I've seen Lone Star like 36 times, and Adaptation, My House in Umbria... I even loved him in Seabiscuit, which was a pathetically inadequate rendering of the book. I would watch Chris Cooper paint a house and be riveted the whole time. It seems like every role he takes on, he infuses it with a desperation that every human can relate to. He's so "quiet" and yet very rich and multidimensional. Damn, the guy's good.

"It's a good deal...it's a good deal for ME!"

[–] lebear_8 20 years ago

You'll get no argument from me. In his quiet way, he darn well nearly stole "Lonesome Dove" from Robert Duvall and Tommy Lee Jones. Not an easy task.

Wish they hadn't cut him out of "The Ring."

[–] Flippitygibbit 20 years ago

I've seen Chris in 'American Beauty' as well, but it's his role as Sam Deeds that has me hooked. He's superb. And attractive, in an unconventional sense!

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[–] ElfLadyNenaine25 20 years ago

I think he is both a wonderful actor and a good looking man. He's definately not Hollywood's defination of sexy, but I think it's his portrayal of the characters he plays that makes his attractive. Or it could be his hair. Such beautiful, thick wavy brown hair. That and his hands. Bet he could play a mean piano with those long, thin fingers. Anyway, just my opinion.

[–] Cue-ball 17 years ago

I first noticed Cooper in The Bourne Identity. Then I realized that he was in a lot of movies I'd already seen, including Lone Star. He's one of the best, if not the best, character actor working today. What's more, I believe he's one of the most-liked actors in the business. Actors like Cooper are keeping the dying art of true character acting alive. This guy nailed his character in LS, Bourne, Seabiscuit, Syriana, Adaptation, Capote -- and none of those characters is semblant to the others.

There's something different about you today, Mr. Laurio.

[–] flickfiend 20 years ago

I agree. The first time I can remember seeing him was in "American Beauty" (obviously, I wasn't very hip about Mr. Cooper's career). I've seen him in "Adaptation", and perhaps another flick.

The man knows what he's doing (with regard to acting at least). He has an ability to be both intense and quiet at the same time. This quality makes him very watchable. You get the feeling that he's about to do something dramatic &/or violent, that he's disturbed- on some level. And yet, he seems gentle, and non-assuming too. He compliments John Sayle's ability to create anticipation, and carry the viewer through a slow, building sense of dramatic climax.

Amazing actor

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[–] mikeychalupa 19 years ago

Check out "Interstate 60", he steals the movie from a great cast. OUTSTANDING performance.

-Mikey

[–] ejr-4 19 years ago

I can't say what it is about him overall, but in this film he turns in a remarkable performance. He's so quiet, yet you sense everthing he's feeling through his slow delivery and posture. How about the scene with his jumpy ex-wife when he so delicately handles her? It is mesmerizing watching him interact with all the other characters and especially watching his expressions as he slowly discovers -- and reflects -- on events of the past: both Buddy's past and his own. This is one of my alltime favorite films and I watch it again and again.

[–] akt38 19 years ago

To me, Chris Cooper is best in another (my favorite) Sayles film - Matewan. That's where I first noticed him, and believe its his best (though David Strathern's (sp?) character almost steals the show). Have to say that the opinion of his July Johnson stealing the show from Gus and Capn Call in Lonesome Dove is hard to swallow. That must be from an incredible Cooper fan.

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[–] lilianelle 18 years ago

I finally saw this film - on your recommendatin - and yes, it's stellar. Again, I was just riveted the whole time, and the ending damn near killed me.

"It's a good deal...it's a good deal for ME!"

[–] InsanityLovesCompany 18 years ago

I first saw Chris Cooper in Lonesome Dove, his character was such a wimp but there was something simmering underneath. I was hooked. Fantastic in Matawan, then Lone Star just swept me away.

I've read elsewhere that so many ladies are hooked on Chris. Men should pay attention and be more 'calm' like Chris instead of the super-macho dudes they think we want!

[–] KnightleyEmma 17 years ago

Wow, a film w/ Cooper and Strathairn is out there? Gotta see it!

[–] stagebandman 15 years ago

I agree. Matewan was a severely overlooked film, and should have been up for several Oscars.

If we all liked the same movie, there'd only be one movie!

[–] michaeljbachman 13 years ago

I wish Criterion would release Matewan. It's hard to believe that there isn't a decent DVD of it available. I first became aware of Chris Cooper in it and DS is riviting in his 5-10 minutes of screentime. David should have won a Oscar for his portral of Edward R. Murrow in Good Night and Good Luck.

[–] raceface 17 years ago

No one mentioned "October Sky" I thought he was great in that as well!

[–] PaulaMary 13 years ago

I fell in love when I saw him in Matewan all those years ago. The thing about Chris Cooper, I think, is there's always something going on behind his eyes. Most of the time, his characters seem to be thinking about 29 different things at once. And you always believe that he is the guy he's playing from the kind, thoughtful Matewan and Lonestar roles to the creepy and scary ones in Breach and the Bourne movies. Plus that voice.

[–] CynR64 19 years ago

I totally agree with you. I've seen Chris Cooper in a few movies and never thought anything of him (besides the fact that he's a good actor) and then I saw him in Lone Star and I became an instant fan. I've since seen some of his movies over again such as My House in Umbria, Seabiscuit, The Horse Whisperer and October Sky and I can honestly say I am hooked. He is such a presence on the screen. I can't seem to take my eyes off him as well!
There's something incredibly sexy about him.

[–] tgladek 19 years ago

Well, he definitely melts my butter. I've read a couple of published interivews with him and he's very intelligent, thoughtful and devoted to his family. Maybe that's why he's so attractive to both men and women? He seems to embody and to have integrated all the qualities we want men (and women, I think) to have - integrity, intellect, humor, talent and a sense of honor and family.

[–] Ellemeno 19 years ago

The scene when he and Pilar finally dance is one of the most sensual scenes in a movie ever.

To dance beneath the diamond sky with one hand waving free ....

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[–] puskar-1 18 years ago

Today's Jimmy Stewart? Kinda has that "everyman" appeal to him.

[–] LordEmeryStanfordMerloe 18 years ago

Holy geez! Yes, Cooper is good. He has this swagger and quiet calm to him. But man, after reading this thread, I almost puked.

[–] t-basham69 8 years ago

Loved him in The Kingdom.

[–] wilmawilcat 18 years ago

Here's what I think it is about Chris Cooper: he is very loose limbed, like a dancer. (A dance teacher I once studied with said she was "born loose.")

As Sam walked around town, and even as he just stood there in the jail watching Pilar and Amado leave, I was thinking he's got that classic look, where a dancer is said to hang from an imaginary string from head to toes.

[–] soapfan84 18 years ago

Maybe it is because he was a dancer. There's just something about the way he walks. Plus, he does have that great head of hair. Like many others, I first noticed him in american beauty. WOW. he's def. one of the best actors of our generation.

"Let's go to a place we'll never get over." -Bono, During a song for Live From Boston