MovieChat Forums > Buffalo Soldiers (2002) Discussion > Joaquin Pheonix's best role

Joaquin Pheonix's best role

posted 15 years ago by timoth93
9 replies | jump to latest

tml ohare

i've never really followed his career, but i just watched this movie and he was brilliant in it. he played such a baddass yet he had some qualities to him, and i like how he didn't care about anything at first and then began to care for robyn. it was a very complex character and he nailed it.

[–] desifir667 15 years ago

yes

[–] bemorecynical2001 15 years ago

Phoenix is fantastic in this, but he is such an amazing talent, this isn't my personal favorite performance from him (doesn't get better than his work as Johnny Cash in Walk the Line) but it's a great film and he really does nail this character. I read the book and it was upon my reading that really increased my appreciation for his performance. While I always enjoyed it, when I read the book I started seeing how fleshed out Phoenix's performance was, from the book to the film, he was perfect.

"Why would a banana grab another banana? Those are the kinds of questions I don't want to answer."

[–] irishaspaddyspig 15 years ago

I really like him in this. He does bad things, but not without regret. He's selfish, but capable of caring.
Joaquin does ironic humor very well. He's giving lie to the fact that he won't do comedy. Clay Pigeons and To Die For also had humor that he handled with ease.

"a malcontent who knows how to spell"

[–] jimmy_miller 15 years ago

I'm not sure if this is the best but he is always a treat.

[–] FunkadelicElephant 13 years ago

Yeah I agree. He's been constantly good for the most part, but this film is definitely his best.

[–] cocobug1 13 years ago

While I think this was one of his best roles, I think his best performance is tied between this and Quills

Do guys like "the thing"?
They like it better than no thing.

[–] Woodyanders 11 years ago

Agreed. Joaquin Phoenix was spot-on as Ray Elwood.

I'm a totally bitchin' bio writer from Mars!

[–] nutsberryfarm 11 years ago

agree. and i'm totally with him on his approach to high dive diving too.

Where there's smoke, there's barbecue!

[–] blueeyedrascal05 10 years ago

Watched this for the first time today. I thought Elwood was a well crafted character - the widest of wide boys but with enough charm to stop him from being thoroughly dislikeable. He's the ultimate opportunist but his softer side shows through, seen in his genuine fondness for Robyn. There's a naivety to him too & he fails to spot when he is in way over his head. From what I've seen of JP so far, he has an eye for the absurd & a "how far can I push this" cheek about him, which suits dark comedy well.