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Current Hollywood Actors - Best Unknown Roles

Hollywood stars are iconic.  We all know the big roles that made them stars.  Whether it be Leo in Titanic or  Julia in Pretty Woman, we know the roles that made them stars, but what about their best roles.  Many times awards are received for a body of work or for past award failures.  Many times awards are given for lifetime achievements in lesser roles.  Many times, like in the case of last years Oscar winner, Jean Dujardin, it is their best role, but that isn't always the case. I'm going to give my opinion on some of the greatest roles of actors that you might not have seen, but should.

Despite his big time movies like the Ocean's series and movies like Seven, the best role Brad Pitt has ever had, was that of the Pikey in Snatch.  With a nearly impossible to understand accent, his drunken antic, almost impossible to believe he wasn't drunk play such a big role in the ending of the film that he deserves front and center on the poster.  Most people have seen this, but if you haven't seen Guy Ritchie's masterpiece, it's worth a shot.  

Jeff Bridges won the award for best actor for Crazy Heart and it's a noble effort, but with the Big Lebowski in his pocket, it's hard to imagine him ever playing a better role.  His stoner act probably played into his believable role as a drunken country singer in Crazy Heart.  Another gem, in which he plays a small role is The Contender, with Joan Allen.  Who I will argue for a long time, is one of the best roles by an actress ever. 

Sean Penn has won best actor twice.  He's been nominated three other times.  All incredible roles, but the role that sticks out the most to me, is as Al Pacino's lawyer in Carlito's Way.  When I first saw the movie, I had missed the opening credits and it took me til about his third scene to realize it was Penn.  His character is so slimy and despicable, you actually love him.  Pacino is incredible, but Penn steals nearly every scene they share.

Everyone remembers when Philip Seymour Hoffman became Truman Capote.  The performance was extraordinary, but sadly, the movie wasn't.  Hoffman has carried many movies in his day with his supporting roles, but none was better than his role as Gust Avrakatos in Charlie Wilson's War.  The first scene we see him, he might be in two or three is absolutely hilarious.  It sets the tone for what will be another surprise in my list.

Tom Hanks is one of Hollywood's biggest stars and for the life of me I'll never know why. To me, he's done three decent movies.  One of those movies, which is above decent, is Charlie Wilson's War.  Hanks plays the title character who is both eccentric and down to earth all in one crackpot politician.  The story itself is crazy.  This no name in the history books almost singlehandedly ended the Cold War with no fanfare, despite his outspoken ways.  A must see for Hanks, Hoffman and Julia Roberts fans. P.S. It might be Robert's best role too.

Denzel Washington has done tons of memorable roles. To be honest, I normally have thought he was better than some stars, such as his role in Philadelphia, but as the main character, he's sometimes come up short.   It would be easy to say his big role was Training Day, but to be honest, I hated it and his overacting reminded me of present day Pacino.  The first role that came to mind was Man on Fire and it's hard to argue the movie wasn't all about him.  That being said, I think his best acting was Fallen.  The supernatural crime drama that he starred in with John Goodman and a slew of familiar faces.  Maybe I was young and impressionable, but any movie that basically starts at the end and is successful works for me.

I'll end with my personal favorite actor out right now.  Ryan Gosling is first gained attention in Half Nelson, later in fracture and then Crazy Stupid Love.  He's adored because of the Notebook and most recently Drive.  These are all good, if not great movies, but where he really shines are the movies nobody has seen.  The Believer, where he plays Danny Ballint, a Jewish Neo-Nazi who hides his secret to everyone but a reporter he swears to secrecy.  Then there is The United States Of Leland, where he plays a youth seemingly having the world in his palm who kills.  The incredible cast is shadowed by Gosling's gripping performance.  Finally there is Lars and The Real Girl.  A movie that touches me on such a deep level I have a hard time watching it more.  The there is the uber-depressing Blue Valentine which is a one viewing only film.  Incredible performances by Gosling and Michelle Williams almost make you forget just how awful you feel after watching it.

Well, I could go on and on, speaking about Laurence Fishburne in Deep Cover, Stephen Rea in Citizen X, Colin Farell in Intermission, Bill Paxton & Billy Bob Thornton in One False Move, Harrison Ford in Presumed Innocent or Michael Fassbender in Shame. It's not always what has made the man famous that is his best work and many times the earlier, rougher performances are the true gems.  

Maybe soon I'll tackle the women.

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