Thursday, October 2, 2014

Top 10 Unsung Performances in David Fincher Films

David Fincher knows how to direct actors. More specifically, he knows how to give a character actor a great, meaty role. Unfortunately, many such performances are often out shadowed by the actors who headline Fincher’s films. Despite this, each of the roles below deserve specific praise. And although I’ve already highlighted many of these performances in my In Character column, this work merits continued discussion.

10. Julia Ormond in The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2008) 
as Caroline Fuller
I love Julia Ormond’s work as Caroline because she really makes us believe that she’s, well, waiting for her mother to die. The anguish, the frustration, the guilt (as in, you can tell she feels guilty for wishing, in part, that her mother would let go). It’s all here. There’s something about Julia Ormond that I’ve always been taken with. She has a grace to her work that I find immensely compelling, and it is certainly on full display here.

9. Zach Grenier in Fight Club (1999) 
as Richard Chesler
First off, there’s the fact that Grenier plays the part of a boring boss so damn well (which, trust me, is a lot harder than it sounds). But moreover, it’s the way Grenier so effortlessly sells his character’s utter bafflement as his employee, “Jack,” slowly begins to lose his mind. Watching the scene where “Jack” beats himself in Chesler’s office, and you just can’t help but feel sorry for ol’ Chesler.

8. Deborah Kara Unger in The Game (1997) 
as Christine
Unger was killing it in her career when The Game was released, and her work as Christine proved to be one of her most substantial roles. It’s Unger’s duty to convince us that Christine isn’t in on the fun, but because Unger is such a dynamic actress, we’re never really sure if she’s on the level. Which, of course, only heightens the overall mystery.

7. Goran Višnjić in The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (2011) 
as Dragan Armansky
I suppose I like Dragan Armansky because he’s actually nice to Lisbeth Salander. Lisbeth has been shit on her whole life, and, because of her thick skin, I doubt too many people take kindly to her. Dragan is different. He speaks about Lisbeth with a sense of pride. He defends her, stands up for her. He’s nice to her for no other reason than because it’s the right thing to do. No hidden agenda. No villainous intent. He’s just a genuinely good guy, and Višnjić inhabits that protectiveness perfectly.

6. James Rebhorn in The Game (1997) 
as Jim Feingold
Good old Jim Feingold. The man who is able to crush the elitist mentality of Nicholas Van Orton (Michael Douglas) with nothing more than a greasy container of Chinese food and a lengthy questionnaire. Rebhorn was a master of playing straight-laced blowhards, and Jim Feingold was surely one of the best. The way he delivers the film’s title line always gives me chills of joy, and that zany dance at the end of the film is pure bliss.

5. R. Lee Ermey in Se7en (1995) 
as Police Captain
Few actors are able to simultaneously provoke fear and laughter better than R. Lee Ermey. The man is a quintessential hard ass, but one with a damn good sense of humor. His turn as the Police Captain in Se7en is some of his best work. A crass no bullshitter who backs his men up, but lets them have it when need be. And that goddamn phone call (“This not even my desk!”) is still one of the funniest things I’ve seen in a David Fincher film.

4. John Getz in The Social Network (2010) 
as Sy
It’s the job of every actor to convince the audience that they are their character. When I watch John Getz in The Social Network, it feels like I’m actually watching a high priced lawyer in action. There’s a seamlessness to Getz’s work that makes him blend in; he is Mark Zuckerberg’s attorney, no question. Lawyers are so often portrayed as clowns in movies – the ceaseless wiseass who always says the right thing, and always fares well with the ladies. Thankfully, there are no silly theatrics in Getz’s performance as Sy. He’s just a guy there to do a job, and do it well. (Side note: I still can’t believe this is the same guy who played the scum bag in Don’t Tell Mom The Babysitter’s Dead.)

3. Elias Koteas in The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2008) 
as Monsieur Gateau
The Monsieur Gateau sequence that opens The Curious Case of Benjamin Button could serve as its own standalone short film. The scene is singular and unique, and led by such an immensely talented actor, that it remains my favorite part of the entire film. Monsieur Gateau is a blind clockmaker who, after losing his son to World War I, creates a large clock that runs backwards. His intention, he gently says, is that by having the clock run in reverse, perhaps America’s fallen soldiers will be brought back to live full lives. It’s a touching sequence that Koteas does wonders with.

2. Everyone in Zodiac (2007)
Jake Gyllenhaal, Mark Ruffalo, and Robert Downey Jr. have always earned just praise for their respective performances in Zodiac. As has John Carroll Lynch, who inhabits Arthur Leigh Allen in a most haunting fashion. But noting that, there are plenty of performances in the film that sadly get overlooked. Anthony Edwards, Elias Koteas, Dermot Mulroney, and Donal Logue as eager lawmen-turned-tired sad sacks; Richmond Arquette, Bob Stephenson, and John Lacy as Zodiac incarnations; Charles Fleischer as a poster artist with a creepy basement; Brian Cox as a famed lawyer; Philip Baker Hall as a handwriting expert, and on and on. 
And lest we forget the women. The horror displayed by Pell James as she’s stabbed mercilessly by the Zodiac, the frustration in Chloë Sevigny’s eyes, the fear in Ione Skye’s shaky voice after she accepts a ride from a mysterious man. Zodiac is Fincher’s best cast film to date. It’s full of tremendous character performances that deserve equal praise to the film’s stars. They’re much to thank for why the movie is so accomplished.

1. Rooney Mara in The Social Network (2010) 
as Erica Albright
Look at Rooney Mara’s career pre-Social Network. A quiet, unassuming girl who occasionally popped up in indie films and single episodes of TV shows. More specifically, she was Kate Mara’s younger sister, doing what she could to break in. Then came those first few minutes of The Social Network. The opening scene of the film is more than enough to warrant her inclusion on this list. Her confidence, subtle pride, and complete unwillingness to back down to her asshole boyfriend, Mark Zuckerberg, is simply breathtaking. A few moments later, we watch as Erica discovers that Mark has written some horrible things about her online. It’s my favorite single moment of the film (screen capped above); it says everything about Erica (and, for that matter, Mark) that we need to know.

Now, of course, Rooney Mara’s 10 minutes of screentime in The Social Network helped her land the lead role in Fincher’s The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, and because of that performance, Rooney Mara is now Rooney Mara. Her work as Lisbeth Salander is one of my favorite Fincher-directed performances, period. But it’s important to go back to the source and remember that fiery Boston University undergrad who wouldn’t dare back down.

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50 comments:

  1. Yessss to everything and everyone here. God, Mara was so fantastic in TSN. I remember reading an article around the time the film came out about how Erica was the only purely fictitious major character in the film and because of Mara, and of course Fincher's direction and Sorkin's dialogue, she became so real.
    I also really love Grenier, Rebhorn, Ermey and everyone in Zodiac. In TSN, I was much more impressed with Denise Grayson, who plays Eduardo's attorney than Getz just 'cuz she was so no-bullshit.

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    1. Really, all of those lawyers in TSN are on point, even the old dude who snarkily defends the Winklevi brothers.

      And yeah, if you're going to straight up create a fictional character, best to make her as compelling and interesting as Erica Albright. I love what Mara did with that role.

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  2. Mara was awesome in The Social Network as she was overlooked in that film. There's a bunch of great performances in Zodiac such as Candy Clark as the newspaper secretary and Ione Skye in that... oh man.... that scene with Donovan's "Hurdy Gurdy Man" playing. That scene scared the fuck out of me.

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    1. Oh me too man. The way "Hurdy Gurdy Man" is used repeatedly in that film is amazing. I love that goddamn movie so much. Whatta cast.

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    2. And here's another bit of trivia for you. That song, which features arrangements by future Led Zeppelin bassist/keyboardist John Paul Jones, that is performed by Donovan as he is Ione Skye's father.

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    3. I DID know that one! (But had, admittedly, forgotten.) Great bit of trivia there.

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  3. Interesting list! I forgot about Clea Duvall and I LOVE her. And I loved everyone in Benjamin Button.

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    1. Thanks! Duvall is so... seedy in that film. The bruises all over her arms are perfect.

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  4. Totally on point. As always. That Rooney Mara performance in The Social Network really is kind of the quintessential unsung performance, Fincher and everyone else. In a way, it's the reason that whole movie exists. I wrote a long thing for Anomalous Material back in the day which has tragically been lost when the site went under about her second scene in that movie, and how she completely and subtly sells having matured, ever so slightly, in the time since that break-up with Zuckerberg and how it shines such a massive light on how he hasn't matured. Just incredible work.

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    1. Thanks man. I didn't make room to discuss that second scene, but yeah, she totally kills it there. You can see how she's evolved as a person, just in her tone and body language. A perfect moment.

      That's such a bummer about Anomalous Material. I really liked that site. That's how I discovered Cinema Romantico, after all!

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  5. After re-watching Zodiac again a couple of days ago, as of right now (having not seen Gone Girl) I can say that it is my favorite Fincher movie (though The Social Network is a very close second) so I would say everything about that movie is damn near perfection - casting, script, acting, directing, effects, etc. (though I know you prefer Seven). That film is the definition of a perfect modern crime thriller in my opinion.

    Also can't fault the choices of Rebhorn, Koteas, and Ermey - those are some damn fine performances that add great textures to the movies they're in. I do have to say that I was going to argue (perhaps a strong word for this instance) about Mara's top spot, but like a great writer you did bring me over to your side with a strong argument. Damn your persuasive writing Alex lol!

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    1. Haha thanks man! Putting everyone from Zodiac at the top seemed like a cheat, you know? But Rooney totally deserves to be there, to me.

      Se7en will always be my favorite Fincher, but Zodiac is a close second. Zodiac just moves so damn well. So many characters and story lines and years to cover.

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  6. Ooo, great post leading up to the release of Gone Girl. I like the idea, and I agree - so many great performances that often get pushed to the background. I never gave John Getz in The Social Network as much thought, but reading about it in this post, I would agree about how lawyers are usually portrayed, and I do remember his performance in the film.

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    1. Thanks Kristin! Glad you "get" why I included Getz's work here. All the lawyers in that film are on point, really. "Law speak" has a very specific vernacular to it that, I feel, many screenwriters/actors ham up for sensationalism. The Social Network definitely did it right.

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  7. Great post. Fincher is one of those directors who really gets excellent work from his performers. I'd probably have to find a spot for Brenda Song in The Social Network.

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    1. Thanks man. Ahhh, I really wanted to include Song here, because yeah, whatta little firecracker she was. Fincher has such a knack for casting great actors who aren't necessarily stars, yet. Love it.

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  8. There's a scene midway through Social Network that has Mara delivering the best line of the film with such conviction: "The internet is not written in pencil, Mark. It's written in ink." She delivers a stinger to button her character's dialogue scenes: "Good luck with your video game." As you pointed out, her look gives us everything we need to know in the hacking montage. It's an immaculately subtle performance in a script in which everything leads back to Eric. And whether or not she'll accept Mark's friend request.

    Zodiac is so impeccably cast. It's a treat to watch one brilliant character actor after the other give scene stealing dialogue.

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    1. I LOVE that later scene with Mara as well. That "video game" line is priceless - just the perfect balance of spite and apathy. And the way she says, "No, there's no problem," to her friend is incredible. As if to say, "No, really, I'll have this douchebag out of here in a few seconds."

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  9. Great, great post. I absolutely adore Mara in TSN. It's so awesome, since we start the film with her brewing up with Mark, and then we end it with him constantly sending her friend requests. I just, I can't explain it. I think that even though Se7en is my favourite Fincher film, TSN is probably his most 'complete' film, if that makes any sense :P

    When are you going to see Gone Girl?

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    1. Thanks! I actually read an interview with Fincher recently and he agreed that, essentially, TSN (and Benjamin Button) were his most complete films to date. So I get what you mean there.

      Saw Gone Girl last night. Just... wow. I have no idea how I'm going to write about it. I don't want to spoil a thing!

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    2. Well, I'm so happy that you loved it, and I cannot wait to read your review!! :)

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  10. Amazing post, man. David Fincher brings out the best from every actor that particiapates in his films. He's such a perfectionist he can't help but push every actor beyond any limitation. Who ever thought I would be raving one day about the fantastic work from actors like Ben Affleck and Tyler Perry in a Fincher film? Well, I do, because they were both absolutely incredible in his latest MASTERPIECE, "Gone Girl" and I really think that years from now Carrie Coon's mesmerizing but still wildly underrated turn as Margo will fit to yout list perfectly. It's such an easy #1 this one, man, to my mind. I mean, I really don't think there are a lot of Fincher fans that would put anyone but Rooney Mara's phenomenal work as Erica in "The Social Network" at the top. She makes the most of her every scene and she really killes it there. And the way she deliveres that "Good luck with your video-game" line... She's simply brilliant.

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    1. LOVE that video game line. And yes, Gone Girl is incredible, isn't it? I've become a big fan of Carrie Coon from watching The Leftovers. Her character had a standalone episode midway through the season that was phenomenal. But her work in Gone Girl really floored me. She was just so...human, you know? No artifice about that performance whatsoever. I can't wait to write about that one.

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    2. It's so great to hear you're such a fan of "Gone Girl". The film is nothing short of incredible, it's a cinematic wonder. And yeah, Coon brings a humanity to her role that makes her performance priceless. Also glad to hear you love Mara's video game line in "The Social Network" that much.

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    3. I think Coon has a big bright film career ahead of her. She's a raw, natural talent.

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  11. I adore that you have Visnjic here - to pull off a believable good guy in Fincher's movie is quite an achievement. Craig manages that too but Visnjic comes off as kinder and sweeter with far less screen time. I love how respectful he is of Lisbeth and that she respects him too, like in the first meeting with the client where he kinda asks her to be cool with his gestures/eyes and she actually listens because she doesn't want to cause him unpleasantness.

    I also adore Anthony Edwards in Zodiac for the same reason. He is such a good guy.

    But Brian Cox lying down on the backseat of the car being freaked out is probably the most memorable :)

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    1. I loved seeing Visnjic on your GWTDT post as well. Craig's character is kind to Lisbeth for a few reasons, an obvious one being the romantic aspect of their relationship. But Dragan is kind because he can be, you know? I love that about him.

      Cox lying down in the car is hysterical. And Edwards telling Ruffalo that he's retiring is such a touching moment. Gotta throw in the towel at some point.

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    2. Yeah he is, but in the story filled with the men who rape and hurt women Craig was good guy by definition for not doing that. It's actually disturbing how this is how it is in life - so many men are violent towards women that the one who is not is already amazing, even though Mikael himself cheats on his girlfriend and I thought as subtly as it was indicated, it was clear he has a bit of a drinking problem going on.

      As for Dragan I thought he was a guy who met Lisbeth one day, learned what happened to her and was so overwhelmed and shocked it would make him feel like shit if he was ever anything but nice and protective of her. Visnjic did wonders here, I so hope they will make the sequels and these guys return.

      I loved how when Armstrong got out of the car he walked into his home and a woman embraced him and that was the last we saw of hm. I loved how Fincher let him go and didn't drag him into this mess again.

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    3. Have you read the books? I wonder if they expand on Dragan at all. Such a cool dude.

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    4. Never read the trilogy, no. I heard they were kinda average books so I settled for watching the movies, the character of Lisbeth is fascinating but she is the main attraction really. With Flynn's novels for example strong female character is just one of the many awesome things so I literally read all 3 of her books in 2 weeks.

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    5. I really want to read Flynn's work now. I made it through 100 pages of The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo and it wasn't really my thing. Too dense, too plain. Love the movies though.

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    6. I'm reading your GG review now and I think you'll LOVE her books. Her dialogue is so realistic and the story structure is always so awesome - for example in Dark Places the story goes back and forth between many days in the present and one day in the past and whenever we find out about something in present day chapter it's elaborated on in the past chapter, it has an amazing narrative flow. Sharp Objects is almost as good as Gone Girl - it's one of the most disturbing books I've ever read - it's kinda like darker, sicker Twin Peaks. I don't think Dark Places adaptation will be particularly good - some casting choices are so weird - but I cannot wait for Sharp Objects to become a TV series.

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    7. That's so cool that her work is getting adapted. Definitely going to track down her stuff ASAP.

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  12. I love how you said everyone in Zodiac. That's perfect. Rooney Mara absolutely deserves to be at the top of the list. She was brilliant in her short time in TSN.

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    1. I love hearing all of this Rooney praise. I had no idea people liked her in that movie as much as I do!

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  13. So much yes to everyone in Zodiac. I watched that for the first time recently, and I thought the whole cast was tremendous!

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    1. That cast is so stacked. Glad you were able to check the film out!

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  14. The thing about Zodiac is spot on.. man, I love that movie.. I should rewatch it before I see Gone Girl but then again, so many unseen movies to watch that I doubt I have time to revisit my favorites for a long time. Never go on a holiday, you fall behind so much that your head will hurt. Now, back to my schedule of movies/shows I need to watch today/tomorrow.

    Thanks for a giid Fincher read, love reading about his work!

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    1. Thank YOU for reading! That's such a hard thing to decide, rewatch movies you love, or tackle new films that may or may not be any good. Although, of all of Fincher's films, I think Zodiac would make the best double feature with Gone Girl. So, so good.

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  15. LOVE that Rooney Mara is your number one, she seriously has my favourite performance of that film (even though everyone is so bloody fantastic in that film). Just that one part when it closes in on her face and says "it'll be because you're an asshole" is just utterly perfect.

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    1. She's so good, right? I love her line delivery of that line as well. And I love that Fincher saves that shot for just that one line. That's perfect direction right there.

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  16. I completely agree with the inclusion of Koteas here. I am not a huge Fincher fan but I would have watched Benjamin Button simply for that one scene...

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    1. Ah, easily my favorite scene in the movie. I love the humanity in Koteas' acting. So, so good.

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  17. OH, yes, Rooney Mara! I saw that film in the cinema on the morning of my birthday and from that opening scene, I knew it was going to be a great film (and day -- how could it not have, with that perfect beginning)? Wonderful post, Alex!

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    1. Thanks! Indeed, what a perfect way to begin a birthday! She owns that moment. I love her work there.

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  18. Oh, the cast of Zodiac is wonderful, and there couldn't be another choice for #1. Dig the John Getz mention as well. Nice list man.

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  19. When I first watch The Social Network, I couldn't take my eyes of Rooney Mara. I agree one of the best Fincher-directed performances. But the best would probably be Brad Pitt in Fight Club or Rooney Mara in The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo.

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    1. My absolute favorite Fincher performance is Pitt in Se7en. He went all in there, and I love it. Pike is great in Gone Girl as well. A tough call.

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