What's The Best Performance From A Non-Actor In A Movie?
My last half concocted hypothetical took the internet by storm, so I figured I would instead borrow one that I saw online and just give my opinion because I do think it's a really good question, and way less likely to get responses calling it the dumbest question alive, which to be honest is a badge of honor to me.
and Jerry's face says it all
Anyway, I like this hypothetical, and there's three that jump out to me but before we get to that, let's first set some parameters. I think the movie needs to be serious. Granted Lebron is really good in a Trainwreck cameo, and I'm sure there's a bunch of others I'm forgetting but to me it should be a serious acting role for the debate. Additionally, it shouldn't be someone who wasn't known as an actor and then became an actor forever after. By this I mean the Rock. Yes he was known for football and then WWE, so technically he wasn't a true actor, but now that's all he does- so he's ineligible. For this I'm talking true non actors who popped in, did a role - killed it, and then kind of didn't really get back into it.
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I just asked Gooch in the office before I blogged this who his pick was, and he said "Kevin Garnett in Uncut Gems" to which I was a little shocked because Garnett was good, but wasn't he kind of just playing himself? My pick is actually another basketball player and it's Ray Allen in He Got Game. Crushes the role. I thought he was really really good in that movie. Mixes in the moments of cocky, stand offish, fed up with the bullshit, insecure, the scorned son, angry and just wanting to get through this period in his life really well. I loved him in it, and though he should get a ton of credit for the role.
The other pick for this is … Eminem in 8 Mile. Now If you are outraged here saying "bUt YoU JUsT sAiD KG wAS pLaYiNG HimSeLf!!" I hear that, but I think Eminem carried the movie, and gave a bunch of moments that really were well acted. I'm not sure what critics ever say about things but I did a quick scan and Ebert and Roeper did enjoy his performance. It was interesting to me he popped in doing this movie and never returned to Hollywood aside from cameos. To me, he was great, as was Allen and they'd be my two picks for this category, where I would lean Eminem by a true hair for the best of the two.
The one actress that jumps out is so easy … Lady Gaga in A Star Is Born. Phenomenal performance. Gooch also said "ridiculous" that she wasn't a winner at The Oscars.
Anyway, that's my list off a very good question. Drop any I missed.