Acting performances that surprised you

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I can think of two very recent ones. Geraldine Chaplin in Remember My Name and Rebecca Hall in Lay the Favourite. I looked at both of them in a completely different way after seeing these films, as the level of talent was astonishing.



This is a great topic...I don't know if you meant "surprised" in a good way or "surprised" in a bad way, but from the previous posts, I'm assuming you mean surprised in a good way, so I'm going to go with that:

Catherine Zeta Jones in Chicago



This performance surprised me because prior to seeing this film, I had no idea that Catherine Zeta Jones could sing or dance.

Robert De Niro in Silver Linings Playbook



This performance surprised me because I don't recall De Niro ever being so sensitive, loving, and nurturing onscreen.

Amy Adams in American Hustle



I had thought of Adams as a one-trick pony until this performance...she commanded the screen here like she never had...strong and surprisingly sexy.

Jessica Lange in Frances



Still can't believe this was the same actress who played Dwan in 1976's King Kong.


Mia Farrow in The Purple Rose of Cairo



Farrow just broke my heart in this movie, I had never been so moved by one of her performances, and that includes Rosemary's Baby...still can't believe she didn't receive an Oscar nomination.

Bradley Cooper in Silver Linings Playbook



Until I saw this movie, I thought Cooper was just another pretty Hollywood face.



This is a great topic...I don't know if you meant "surprised" in a good way or "surprised" in a bad way, but from the previous posts, I'm assuming you mean surprised in a good way, so I'm going to go with that:
I meant surprised in a good way, particularly in a way that completely changed your perception of an actor. I mean, Heath Ledger's probably another good example. I would have loved to have seen The Dark Knight without knowing who was playing the Joker. Maybe I would have recognised him but I'm not so sure.



I meant surprised in a good way, particularly in a way that completely changed your perception of an actor. I mean, Heath Ledger's probably another good example. I would have loved to have seen The Dark Knight without knowing who was playing the Joker. Maybe I would have recognised him but I'm not so sure.
Yes, I agree that Heath Ledger's performance in The Dark Knight deserves mention here.



Yes, I agree that Heath Ledger's performance in The Dark Knight deserves mention here.
It was incredible – a perfect, flawless performance I think.

I was very interested to find out about Brad Dourif's on-off involvement with the films over time. For example I think Tim Burton was talking to him about him the Joker for Batman and later the Scarecrow for the third one. Unfortunately they decided to go in a different direction with Batman Forever, with Burton only producing.



Clive Owen in Closer. Even though i hadn't seen him in much i thought he was a pretty bland actor, never that bad but not someone who left a memorable mark. In that way Closer blew me away, his and Portmans (who i already had conference in) performances are among my favourites of the 2000s.

I've seen this topic brought up before on other sites and while it isn't a movie the one most often mentioned is Bryan Cranstons transformation from Malcolm in the Middle to Breaking Bad.



I've seen this topic brought up before on other sites and while it isn't a movie the one most often mentioned is Bryan Cranstons transformation from Malcolm in the Middle to Breaking Bad.
I didn't really see Malcolm in the Middle but I can imagine it must have been an amazing difference. It reminds me a bit of Michael Palin being lauded for his role in G.B.H.



Clive Owen in Closer. Even though i hadn't seen him in much i thought he was a pretty bland actor, never that bad but not someone who left a memorable mark. In that way Closer blew me away, his and Portmans (who i already had conference in) performances are among my favourites of the 2000s.

I've seen this topic brought up before on other sites and while it isn't a movie the one most often mentioned is Bryan Cranstons transformation from Malcolm in the Middle to Breaking Bad.
Great call regarding Clive Owen in Closer...he was the best thing about that movie.



Great call regarding Clive Owen in Closer...he was the best thing about that movie.
I haven't seen Closer but I used to like Clive Owen in earlier years. Close My Eyes is a favourite of mine and a great performance of his too.



“Hell will hold no surprises for you.”
Heath Ledger in The Dark Knight

Keanu Reeves in The Gift

Sylvester Stallone in Cop Land

Eminem in 8 Mile

Bryan Cranston in Breaking Bad

Ice Cube in Boyz N the Hood

Kristen Stewart in Adventureland

Uma Thurman in Pulp Fiction and the Kill Bill movies



Survivor 5s #2 Bitch
Sharon Stone in Casino and even Total Recall
Marlon Wayans in Requiem For A Dream
Jennifer Aniston in Cake
Lucy Liu in Kill Bill
Kate Hudson in Almost Famous
Ko Shibasaki in Battle Royale (16 in her first or second role )



Heath Ledger in The Dark Knight

Keanu Reeves in The Gift

Sylvester Stallone in Cop Land

Eminem in 8 Mile

Bryan Cranston in Breaking Bad

Ice Cube in Boyz N the Hood

Kristen Stewart in Adventureland

Uma Thurman in Pulp Fiction and the Kill Bill movies
Have never understood the love for Eminem in 8 Mile, but that's just me I guess.



Amy Adams in American Hustle



I had thought of Adams as a one-trick pony until this performance...she commanded the screen here like she never had...strong and surprisingly sexy.
How did I miss that screencap – must get round to watching that film…

What I saw of her in The Fighter I liked as well, and I recently saw Al Pacino saying he likes her so she must be okay.



I saw a bit of Nicholas and Alexandra today and Michael Jayston impressed me in the scene where the Tsar breaks down, post-abdication. Jayston's usually quite a stoic presence, for example in something like the TV version of Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, so this was a shock in a way, and something I didn't recall from the last time I saw the film.

Tom Baker's great as Rasputin as well, and it's funny that he and Jayston are still mates, frequenting pubs and bookshops.



I meant surprised in a good way, particularly in a way that completely changed your perception of an actor. I mean, Heath Ledger's probably another good example. I would have loved to have seen The Dark Knight without knowing who was playing the Joker. Maybe I would have recognised him but I'm not so sure.
I can't say for sure that I would have recognized Heath in The Dark Knight, but honestly, I think not, it was unlike anything he had ever done and the makeup pretty much covered up his face.