The Graceful Masculinity of Patrick Swayze in ‘Dirty Dancing’
As Johnny Castle, Swayze was able to demonstrate his natural strengths as a dancer and an actor interested in deconstructing… Read More
August 26, 2022
The Great Performances
Acting is an art form, and behind every iconic character is an artist expressing themselves. The Great Performances is a recurring column in which Jacob Trussell explores the art behind some of cinema’s best roles.
If you are new to reading this column, we suggest starting with these entries:
- 12 Monkeys was Brad Pitt’s Career-Defining Performance
- The Powerful Presence of Pam Grier in Jackie Brown
- The Self-Reflection of Jodie Foster in Silence of the Lambs
- Tony Todd Gave Candyman His Soul
- Willem Dafoe Skewers Method Acting in Shadow of the Vampire
Browse the archive for The Great Performances below
The Powerful Performance(s) of Lupita Nyong’o in ‘Us’
Marrying tenets of avant-garde theater and natural acting methods, Nyong’o delivered a masterclass in playing opposite sides of the same… Read More
August 2, 2022
James Caan’s Best Performance is the Most Compelling Scene in ‘Thief’
Michael Mann’s debut feature film contains arguably the ten best minutes late actor James Caan ever put to celluloid. Read More
July 19, 2022
How the Ensemble Cast of ‘The Big Sick’ Subverted Rom-Com Expectations
Kumail Nanjiani found ways to surface thoughtful humor in a moment of abject trauma in his and Emily V. Gordon’s… Read More
July 14, 2022
Celebrating the Incredible Ensemble Cast of ‘Chan is Missing’
Every performance is a great performance in Wayne Wang’s indie noir-comedy classic. Read More
June 16, 2022
Sheryl Lee Always Knew Laura Palmer Was More Than a MacGuffin
At the center of David Lynch and Mark Frost’s timeless mystery Twin Peaks, Lee surfaced the nuances of a character… Read More
June 10, 2022
Green Goblin is Willem Dafoe’s Tragic Movie Monster
In the dual roles of Norman Osborn and his maniacal alter ego Green Goblin, Dafoe pulled from classic horror to… Read More
May 18, 2022
Anne Hathaway Nails the Nuances of Sobriety in ‘Colossal’
As a woman in recovery caught between inner demons and gigantic monsters, Hathaway captures the unique struggles of staying on… Read More
April 20, 2022
‘Frailty’ is Bill Paxton’s Most Underrated Performance
Part devoted dad, part contract killer for God, everyone’s favorite character actor found the perfect balance of heart and horror… Read More
April 12, 2022