Wednesday, November 5, 2014

Top 10 Unsung Roles in Christopher Nolan Films

Christopher Nolan doesn’t get enough credit for his casting. Sure, most of his movies are headlined by very popular and very talented stars, but if you dig deeper, you see that his films are almost always fully cast to perfection. As I sit mere hours away from watching Nolan’s new film, Interstellar (in 70mm!), I thought it’d be fun to take a look back at the supporting players who helped make his films so good.

10. Mark Boone JuniorMemento and Batman Begins (2000; 2005) 
as Burt and Flass, respectively

Mark Boone Junior is the kind of actor whose work is perpetually unsung. Despite giving consistently stellar performances in a range of roles (most recently in Sons of Anarchy), Junior has never been given enough praise. I am, however, a great admirer of his work, including his performances in Nolan’s films – first as a sleazy motel worker in Memento, and later as an oafish crooked cop in Batman Begins. With his unkempt appearance and general disregard for, well, everything, Junior’s characters almost always manage to get a few laughs.

9. Daniel Sunjata – The Dark Knight Rises (2012) 
as Captain Jones

Shortly after Bane takes control of Gotham, an unassuming Special Forces team infiltrates the city, and confidence is briefly restored. The team is led by Captain Jones, and, as played by the consistently underrated Daniel Sunjata, the audience takes solace in the fact that Jones is going to make a difference. Sunjata has a presence that makes him instantly likeable, but a physique that proves he knows how to handle himself. So, in short, when Captain Jones and his men show up, we know they’re going to take a stand. Instead, seconds into his first dust-up, Jones is gunned down. The music suddenly cuts out, Jones lays helpless, and hope is, once again, completely lost.

8. Larry Holden – Memento (2000) 
as Jimmy

In the world of Memento, no one is clean. This is a film about moral gray lines and the lengths to which people go to cross them. Jimmy is a guy we hear about more than we see. But when we finally meet him, his sleazeball persona makes us acutely aware that this guy is no good. It also says something of Holden’s acting abilities that his Jimmy is pretty much physically unrecognizable from Holden’s characters as an injured cop in Insomnia, and a district attorney in Batman Begins. The guy really did his damndest to fall into Jimmy.

7. Eric Roberts – The Dark Knight (2008) 
as Sal Maroni

Eric Roberts has been in the game for a long time, peaking early with a string of solid performances in the ‘80s. But as Maroni, you can tell that Roberts is simply thankful to be in a good film again. His performance is a perfect combination of control, understatement and gangster slime. “Look, take it up wit The Joker. He killed your woman. He made you… like thisss.” So good.

6. William Fichtner – The Dark Knight (2008) 
as Bank Manager

William Fichtner showing up in a movie – any movie – is never a bad thing. The initial reveal of The Joker in The Dark Knight is one of my all-time favorite character introductions. When The Joker removes his mask to reveal the psychotic clown beneath, we’re immediately afraid, stunned and intrigued. This is thanks to many things, most noticeably Heath Ledger’s performance, and Hans Zimmer and James Newtown Howard’s menacing score. But we can’t discount the sheer terror in Fichtner’s face. His expression makes it clear that we’re in for something completely unpredictable.

5. Tom Berenger – Inception (2010) 
as Peter Browning

I just love Christopher Nolan for casting Tom Berenger in Inception. What with his swollen, rotund face, his somewhat slurred speech, and his years of career impotence. Watching him as Browning, you could tell how thankful Berenger was to have a good role again. Plus, he’s responsible for the film’s funniest moment, playfully muttering, “Good looking fellow, I’m sure,” after Saito confuses Browning for Eames’ shape-shifted version of Browning. Priceless.

4. Jonathan Jackson – Insomnia (2002) 
as Randy Stetz

Before Insomnia, Jonathan Jackson had found success on the soap opera General Hospital, but for all intents and purposes, Insomnia was his first major film. His big scene in the movie is an extended argument opposite Al Pacino. Randy Stetz is a teenage scumbag, completely unfazed by Pacino’s grizzled cop character. So what does Stetz do when questioned about the death of his girlfriend? He fires insults at one of our finest living actors. And he does it with complete zeal. Let me put it this way: any young actor who can stand toe-to-toe with Al Pacino and fucking crush it deserves to be praised.

3. Rebecca Hall – The Prestige (2006) 
as Sarah Borden

Rebecca Hall is the heart of The Prestige. Her Sarah is such a kind and understanding presence, but one that is ultimately left heartbroken and stranded by her husband, Alfred (Christian Bale). During first viewing, we’re not entirely sure why Sarah feels randomly slighted by her husband. It isn’t until the film’s conclusion that Sarah’s full torment is known. The Prestige was Hall’s first big movie, and she so eloquently captured the emotional decay of her character.

2. Maura Tierney – Insomnia (2002) 
as Rachel Clement

The most poignant scene of Nolan’s career is a conversation between a dog-tired cop and a timid hotel owner in Insomnia. Late in the film, a near lifeless Will Dormer (Al Pacino) sits in his hotel room as the owner, Rachel, cleans up a mess he’s made. As she tidies up, Dormer tells her about a crime he committed against a man he knew to be guilty of a horrible assault. Rachel just stares at him; confused, frightened, but never passing judgment. When Dormer is finished, Rachel says that there are only two types of people who live in Alaska: “The ones who were born here, and the ones who are here to escape something else. I wasn’t born here.”

Dormer, barely able to speak, asks Rachel to share her story with him. “Here. Now. In this room. You and me. Please.”

But she doesn’t. Instead, she simply looks at him, with eyes that understand the pain he’s endured. It’s a great little moment between two fractured people. An example from Maura Tierney that emotional expression really can speak volumes.

1. Stephen Tobolowsky – Memento (2000) 
as Sammy Jankis

When I covered Stephen Tobolowsky in my In Character column a few months ago, I highlighted his work as Sammy Jankis as the best performance of his career. In researching that post, I learned that in the Memento script, the Sammy character really had no lines, and Nolan asked Tobolowsky to improvise the bulk of his dialogue. That in and of itself is quite a feat, given how natural Sammy feels. In his brief turn as Sammy, Tobolowsky managed to earn some of the best laughs in the film (“Test this, you fuckin’ quack.”), as well as execute Memento’s most devastating moment. One of the gifts Stephen Tobolowsky has as an actor is that he’s always able to make his characters feel real. “Remember Sammy Jankis,” indeed.

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34 comments:

  1. Was that William Fitchner? I never realized that was him. He certainly had some good expressions but I never understood why he couldn't just take that grenade out of his mouth. It would have saved his character a lot of trouble.

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    1. Fear, man. Fear can do some crazy shit, like make you immobile. Or maybe he couldn't move his arms because they were shot. Or maybe Nolan knew it wouldn't be dramatic if he moved the grenade. I dunno, still a rad scene though.

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  2. OMG, yes to Hall. Like, she IS that movie. Your heart breaks for her. That whole "today you love me" scene is just marvelously played. UGH!!!

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    1. I know right?! She's so damn good in that movie. You really feel for her in that.

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  3. Oh man, Rebecca Hall was a real discovery in The Prestige. I thought she was one of the best things in that film. Tom Berenger was also great in Inception as was Eric Roberts in The Dark Knight.

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    1. All so great. I love Berenger in Inception, but I've always really liked that guy. He's a beast.

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  4. Definitely agree with number 1. That performance has stuck with me ever since i first saw Memento back around it's release. Stephen Tobolowsky is always great, but in Memento he was perfect.

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    1. Hell yeah man. He's one of our great character actors, and he completely owned that role.

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  5. I am still astounded that The Prestige was Hall's first on-screen appearance, she just kills that movie and you are so right in calling her the heart of that film. As much as I admire the performances of both leading men, as well as Scarlett Johansson and David Bowie have great turns as well. I also agree that Maura Tierney doesn't get enough credit for her work in Insomnia. As you've stated in other posts, one of the last recent examples of a good Pacino film, and I think a big part of the film working the way it does is in part to her.

    As a side note, in one of my classes we actually got to do an interview with William Fichtner and he was a super nice and down to earth guy. Always loved him in The Dark Knight.

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    1. Well, it was her first appearance in a major film, but yeah, it's still one hell of an accomplishment. (And now that I say that, she could have very well filmed The Prestige before Starter for 10. So who knows.)

      I LOVE hearing that Fichtner was such a cool guy. He seems so down to Earth and humble. Great stuff.

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  6. Heck yeah! Christopher Nolan is one of those directors that really knows how to get to me, and I can't wait for Interstellar, tomorrow!

    Love Rebecca Hall in The Prestige and Fichtner in TDK. Of course, the entire list is great, but those are two of my favorites. I've watched Inception like 20 times and, somehow, my mind never caught that Tom Berenger was Browning... weird!

    I might have included Roger Rees (The Prestige) and Keith Szarabajka (The Dark Knight). Their characters always helped me connect to their respective film, in one way or another.

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    1. Both of your picks are spot on. Very good calls. The way Szarabajka slowly takes off his jacket before that attempted beating is great. And yeah, how cool is it that that's Berenger? Love that dude.

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  7. Very interesting list, man. Some great highlights here and great to see the very underrated Stephen Tobolowsky as Sammy Jankis at the top. I'd also include his wife from Memento too.

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    1. Thanks buddy. His wife was really good in that film too. I mean, that scene... my god. It's so damn heartbreaking.

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  8. I love how you featured Jonathan Jackson - his scene is so good in that movie. The way he answers 'pretty hard' when Pacino asks how hard he beat his girlfriend/how hard he asked who she was seeing was so memorable, the entire movie is crazy underrated.

    And Hall was amazing - there are many women in Nolan's stories but they are rarely memorable. Hall's part wouldn't be memorable either but she put her entire heart into this role. Johansson didn't do anything in this movie while Hall acted her ass off and what a difference it made

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    1. SO happy to hear your praise for both of those roles. I agree, Nolan's films tend to be male-heavy, but I do think almost all of his movies have solid female performances. Hall slays me in The Prestige. Really solid work.

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  9. Terrific post. I just LOVE how Christopher Nolan works with actors. People tend often to focus on the technical virtues of his films or the masterful way he writes and directs and many times the performances in his filmography go a little unnoticed, especially in roles like the ones you mention here. Stephen Tobolowsky in Memento is a fantastic choice. It's my #1 as well. A narrow second would be Rebecca Hall's work in "The Prestige", hauntingly beautiful. She gave her heart and soul into the role of Sarah.

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    1. Thanks man! You're right - Nolan's films are so huge, that sometimes the acting is overlooked, which I suppose is fair, because the acting is often sub-par in big films, you know? But he really has a knack for directing to a solid performance.

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  10. I LOVE Christopher Nolan's casting most of the time; this post comes at just the right time with Interstellar coming out!

    Mark Boone Junior's role in Memento always stuck out to me, and I would agree how he's totally an unsung actor who's often forgotten. He's awfully talented, and it's nice that Nolan has recognized that.

    I didn't realize that that was Rebecca Hall in The Prestige! I love her character in that film. It's nice to see her come a lot farther since.

    You have a perfect #1 on your list . . . love love love Stephen Tobolowsky in Memento. Great list, Alex!

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    1. Thanks Kristen! Isn't Hall great in The Prestige? It's such a haunting and sad performance. And I'm thrilled that you like Tobolowsky's work in Memento. A brief but lasting role.

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  11. Excellent list. I completely agree with your number 1. I have to be honest, though. I was looking for Ellen Page in Inception to be somewhere on there. Oh well. Anyhoo, I still need to see Insomnia. Not sure how it's escaped me all these years.

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    1. Thanks man. While I do think Page is good in Inception, I don't think it's an entirely unsung performance, you know? She got a lot of props for being a worthy facilitator of exposition in that flick. Which is no easy feat.

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  12. What this post makes me want to do, is watch Memento again. A movie which I remember almost nothing but its ending is so embedded into my brain that I can't shake it. Interesting and yet, scary as well because I would like to forget all of it and when I rewatch it,be so astonished by the ending yet again.. but now, I just remember the ending.
    (I'm Mettel btw)

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    1. Hey Mettel! Good to hear from you. I agree, everytime I watch Memento, I am wowed by its conclusion. It's so damn twisted.

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  13. I remember just before The Dark Knight was released, they released an extended teaser of that opening scene with William Fitchner and I was SO excited to see him in it. He's one of those actors who has done a slew of work, and no matter how small his role, he shines all the way through.

    Rebecca Hall in The Prestige broke my heart! Such a fantastic role for her.

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    1. Fichtner is a beast. I love that guy in everything. And I love Nolan for casting him in that brief but notable role. So glad you like Hall's work in The Prestige as well!

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  14. Excellent work man. I might put Hall and Tierney just ahead of Tobolowsky, but this a fantastic list.

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    1. Thanks buddy! So great to hear some additional praise for Tierney. Love her.

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  15. Great post! I am madly in love with Memento.

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  16. You've always got a knack for doing an unconventional & awesome list, Alex! Nice to see Tom Berenger in Inception & Rebecca Hall in The Prestige, both of them are grossly overlooked. I agree that William Fichtner is great in everything, he's the classic character actor. One of my fave roles of his is in Equilibrium w/ Christian Bale, I love that movie though it's not far from perfect. Somehow I always remember Fichtner in that one.

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    1. Thanks Ruth! I'm so happy to hear that you love Fichtner's work as well. I dig his work in Equilibrium as well. No, not the best film, but Fichtner is solid in it.

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  17. Yes Daniel Sunjata! I love that guy. Rebecca Hall was seriously underrated in The Prestige. I remember being very annoyed with the previews because they were using her lines, but shots of Scarlett Johansson. So it made it look like she was saying them. Not fair. Lol

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    1. So happy someone else appreciates Sunjata in that role! Ha, I remember that about The Prestige too. Fuckin' marketing.

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