The guy's a fookin true great who's career is second to nobody else, including DeNiro, who is not improving with age the way Gene Hackman has. 40 years of towering performances. 40 Years! There's a few turkey's in there but not many (if any) poor performances by him. Starting with Bonny and Clyde and continuing at that level of performance film after film, till right upto date and stealing the show in Heartbreakers and The Royal Tennumbaums. Thriller. Drama. Comedy. Westerns. Good guy. Bad Guy. Guy in the grey area. He plays each one like that's all he ever plays. He can be subtle and introspective like in 'The Conversation' for instance of he can explode and chew up the scenery like a maniac like he does in 'The French Connection' and 'The Poseidon Adventure' The guy is the best in the business.
It was a very long, very sad film. about this mininster imigrating to Hawaii (sp?. Pretty soon everyone's at it and they bring disease to the natives - Gene Hackman played the doctor it was only a bit-part
"My father had a profound influence on me. He was a lunatic" *Meet the new boss...Same as the old boss*
Okay well just for the sake of argument, I'll start with Bonnie and Clyde, though i'm pretty sure he was probably the best actor on the screen in his bit parts too. My point is really that he's a bit unsung, or rather we all love him, but he rarely gets the credit of the DeNiros and Pacinos and Hoffmann's and Nicholsons and even Brando, when he is every bit their equal and then some, if you look at his whole body of work, compared to theirs
I agree, Gene Hackman is a film legend, but please don't even begin to compare him with De Niro I love every film Hackman's been involved with, in particular his menacing role in Clint Eastwood's Unforgiven was just mesmerising. He's a pure actor who seems to get better with age. Loved him in The Poseidon Adventure with Shelly Winters and Ernest Borgnine. Top class!
"On every street in every city, there's a nobody who dreams of being a somebody..."
"On every street in every city, there's a nobody who dreams of being a somebody..."
DeNiro was at top level for 20 25 years. He's not the same actor he was. Its hard to admit i know, but fun though Meet the Parents and Shark Tale and Analyze whatever and Rocky and Bullwinkle may be, he isn't even scratching the surface of what he did between Mean Streets and King of Comedy. But he's my favorite actor ever thats why I'm so let down by his body of work over the last ten years. he really needs to get back with Scorsese for both of their sakes. Gene Hackman is still delivering oscar worthy performances as he was for five or six years before deniro really got going. But you're right no actor gets near DeNiro's work in the seventies and eighties up to Midnight Run and the Untouchables and Goodfellas.
Nice words my friend There's a film on tomorrow night with Gene Hackman in and it's a great film too... The Firm. Cruise in one of his better roles. Regarding the king (De Niro), he is currently directing DiCaprio in 'The Good Shepherd' and has completed a film which stars his old friend Harvey Keitel. Hopefully he and Scorsese will reunite some time in the future and produce their 9th collaboration.
"On every street in every city, there's a nobody who dreams of being a somebody..."
Hi RobbieJess I'm a fellow disciple to the God that is Robert De Niro Kieser don't have a panic-attack I'm aware that this thread is for Gene Hackman...carry on
"My father had a profound influence on me. He was a lunatic" *Meet the new boss...Same as the old boss*
Hi archangel01 How are you? What you upto over the weekend? De Niro is the greatest actor ever, or will ever be in my opinion. What do you make of his recent material? What other actors do you like? Thanks, and be good
"On every street in every city, there's a nobody who dreams of being a somebody..."
"On every street in every city, there's a nobody who dreams of being a somebody..."
*joins the 'de niro is king' club at the risk of the wrath handed down for going off topic*
However...back on track...Gene Hackman is indeed an astounding actor. I think my favourite role of his has to be in The Conversation: the whole film is just so understated and yet gripping, something that would not happen without the central performance from him.
I'm unaware of any evidence of a wrath. You tell me I can't compare Hackman to DeNiro and I argued that you are wrong. I thought that was kinda the point of discussing stuff.
yay for the lack of wrath - I have been burned by other forums is all - but you all seem very nice in here I must say
and i have to admit you're right keiser in that hackman hasn't gone downhill, and is still producing great performances whereas mr de niro appears to have got a bit lost somewhere along the way
DeNiro Inside the Actor's Studio was interesting. He doesn't interview very well in truth, but he did say that he, Scorsese and Schrader have discussed and are all keen to make a sequel to Taxi Driver. From the horse's mouth folks
Wow, questions questions; I'm fine at the minute thank you RobbieJess, ain't up to much just chilling out and being lazy, I think De Niro is biding his time with film roles - But with his track record he can afford to. Wish they would show that actors guild tribute on the telly, I'd love to see that. I love the bloke cos he's shy, humble and earnest with his work!
"My father had a profound influence on me. He was a lunatic" *Meet the new boss...Same as the old boss*
Just in case Kieser gets angry Hackman is a great actor who puts his heart and Soul and a lot of rage into his work. that character Popeye has to be the best film cop ever. For suaveness I would go for Bullitt but for true Grit and hard graft Popeye wins every time. see kieser, that should make things fair!
"My father had a profound influence on me. He was a lunatic" *Meet the new boss...Same as the old boss*
Glad to read your doing good archangel01, you seem to be a cool person My own personal opinion about 'Taxi Driver 2' should never be attempted... EVER! Some films are better left alone and leave the viewer to ponder their own decision about a particular ending and fabricate the future of the films contents/characters. Take The Italian Job (1969). A classic case for the viewer to make up their own mind... what did they do with all that gold/how did they spend it/did they make it off the cliff face? Anyway, Travis is happily married to Betsy in my mind now, so I don't need a sequel to disrupt that! Getting back on the topic of debate, Hackman, he's a genius pure and simple.Anyone going to watch The Firm in approximately 51 minutes?
"On every street in every city, there's a nobody who dreams of being a somebody..."
"On every street in every city, there's a nobody who dreams of being a somebody..."
I love every film Hackman's been involved with, in particular his menacing role in Clint Eastwood's Unforgiven was just mesmerising. He's a pure actor who seems to get better with age. Loved him in The Poseidon Adventure with Shelly Winters and Ernest Borgnine. Top class!
There's a film on tomorrow night with Gene Hackman in and it's a great film too... The Firm. Cruise in one of his better roles. Regarding the king (De Niro), he is currently directing DiCaprio in 'The Good Shepherd' and has completed a film which stars his old friend Harvey Keitel. Hopefully he and Scorsese will reunite some time in the future and produce their 9th collaboration.
Kieser don't have a panic-attack I'm aware that this thread is for Gene Hackman...carry on 
