When Comedians Get Serious
Actors more often than not like to play on their strengths. After all, it’s what makes them successful, keeps the dollar-dollar coming in, sticking to their archetypes is a smart move, but over time it becomes a little bland. So it’s always a joy to behold when an actor takes a risk in their career and steps outside their comfort zone. It’s even better when they take that leap of faith and land on feet at the other end. It’s a daring move but when it pays off nobody loses; the actors becomes critically acclaimed, the film is better for it and the audience gets to bask in wonder of seeing something fresh. For me, there’s something quite special about a comedic actor putting in a powerfully dramatic performance, taking that chance and pulling it off. It’s baffling though, that time and time again we as an audience (and critics a like) are shocked by their successful attempts. Comedy is notoriously one of the hardest skills to pull off in acting. It’s all well and good having a decent script, but it’s hard to deny the acting credentials of an actor who is genuinely funny. This is a celebration of some of the finest performances by actors out of their comfort zones.
Notable Mentions:
Ryan Reynolds: ‘Buried‘ – I loved Buried. It’s a truly, uniquely impressive film. To me though, Reynolds just can’t be regarded in the same vein as the rest of the comic actors in this list. He never really reached the great heights of any of these comics in comedy films, and looking at his career choices he seems to have always wanted to move into the serious roles.
Steve Carrell ‘Little Miss Sunshine‘ – Little Miss Sunshine is one of my favourite films, but just like his performance in Dan In Real Life, there’s too much comedy to ever really effect you in any other way. If this list was written in a years time, I fully expect Foxcatcher (Oscar buzz anyone?) to be included.
Robin Williams: ‘half his movie collection’. Seriously, there’s too much to choice from to just pick one film to include in this list. Robin Williams is one of the funniest men of all-time. His ability to improvise is nearly unparalleled. Yet how often does he not only dip his toes in the waters of drama, but dive right in. Good Morning Vietnam (some comedy too, yes), Insomnia, Good Will Hunting, One Hour Photo, Dead Poets Society and many more. This is a fearless comedian who, when the right script comes along, has no hesitation in taking on the right role.
So, in no particular order, rather just ordering for no particular reason…
#1: Bill Murray ‘Lost In Translation’.
Bill Murray is synonymous with comedy. In fact you probably couldn’t come across an average person in Western society who didn’t know a Bill Murray film and his antics off screen are just as legendary (to the level of urban legends) as they are on. There will never be another Bill Murray. So when this seriously funny man throws in a serious performance, you need to stand up and take notice. Lost In Translation blew critics and audiences away a like, and it seems Murray himself enjoyed a much fleshier role, because 2 years later he went on to star in another drama, Broken Flowers. It’s Lost In Translation though that we can’t help but love. His subtle portrayal of a lonely actor who strikes up a bond with college girl, Scarlett Johansson is still regarded as one of his finest performances. And while we often get fleeting moments of the serious in his Wes Anderson outings, we long for the day that he gives the drama another go. And while we may never know what he said to her right at the end, what we do know is Murray put in a deserving Academy Award nominated performance Lost In Translation.
#2: Will Ferrell ‘Stranger Than Fiction’.
Will Ferrell has one of those natural comic styles. His look, his voice, his mannerisms are all well suited for the comic stylings that he offers us. So naturally when he tried his hand at something different it was met with raised eyebrows. That soon turned into, well even higher raised eyebrows due to the his shockingly good performance. Stranger Than Fiction isn’t an all out drama, it’s a quirky comedy/drama which is brought alive by Ferrell’s performance of a man who hears a narration in his head, which seemingly describes his entire life. It’s charming, adorable and compelling as Ferrell seamlessly shifts between comedy to heartache in a split second, which leaves you unsure of what just happened and why all of a sudden you feel so sad. Ferrell gained much praise for his role, and rightfully so. If you haven’t seen the film, if you’re dubious about his ability or just don’t want to see the funny man go serious, throw all those worries out the window and watch it right now, or you know, whenever you get a chance to get your hands on the film. This tale about a man facing his own mortality is probably Ferrell’s greatest role to date.
#3: Adam Sandler ‘Reign Over Me’.
Adam Sandler is a man out of touch with time. His ‘comedies’ barely scrape by anymore and as he’s maturing into the middle-aged stage of his life, so should his comedy. His performance in the heart breaking Reign Over Me, however, is quite possibly my favourite addition on the list. Still to this day when I tell people about this performance, they either haven’t heard of it or won’t entertain the notion that Adam Sandler can act. Of course he isn’t a stranger to the serious role, previously putting in a performance for Paul Thomas Anderson‘s ‘Punch-Drunk Love‘, but Reign Over Me takes it to a another level as Sandler plays a widower who lost his entire family on one of the planes during the 9/11 attack. Sandler’s acting style actually works perfectly for this unbearably broken character who you could never (and hopefully should never have to) empathize with, but completely sympathize towards. This is one that will pull at your heart strings! Don’t say I didn’t warn you.
#4: Michael Keaton ‘Batman’.
“I’m Batman”. Still fun to say to anyone who asks who you are. Michael Keaton‘s donning of the cape and cowl will forever be remembered as strange, dark and gothic—it was a Tim Burton film after all. His stint as the Dark Knight still leaves fans at each others throats as to who the best Batman is, with Keaton’s name always being in contention. Keaton had done a couple of dramas before his go as Batman, but he was most recognised for his work in comedy. Burton, however, saw an dark edginess to Keaton and in a stunning (and genius) move cast him as the Caped Crusader, the rest is history. Nowadays it’s weird to think there was ever a time when this role was ever seen as ‘risky’ in any sort of way and his performance is still talked about after all these years, yet we forget just what a leap of faith it was for Keaton.
#5: Jim Carey ‘Eternal Sunshine of The Spotless Mind’.
Jim Carey is a comic with bags of energy and the ultimate elastic face. One of the greatest and truly hilarious physical actors, maybe the best of our generation? Around the early nineties, after many iconic roles had shot him into the limelight, it’s almost as if Carey was bored. He didn’t mind making people laugh, but he wanted to do more, so he started taking on more serious roles. In the late ’90s he had a hit with The Truman Show, a superb comedy/drama and a natural progression for comic actors, and we once again saw that with Man on the Moon and The Majestic. Then it happened, Carey took the plunge and he went full-serious. Nothing could prepare us for his performance in Eternal Sunshine, which took it to a whole new level. Somehow ‘the Academy’ failed to nominate Carey with a nomination for his role, despite their huge affection for the film. To this day it remains one of the biggest injustices in recent Oscar history.
What do you think about the list? Are there any performances that you’d put in over these?
