It is said that the cast and crew of a film carries a film, no matter how outstanding the script is. These Hollywood actors definitely understood that and made these movies what they are today.
1. Tom Hanks
Tom Hanks was brilliant in Big. His acting was effortless and perfect and when asked about it, he said that all he did was tap into a child’s mind. Needless to say, he should have won an Oscar- make that several Oscars!
2. Al Pacino
Al Pacino plays the character of a homosexual man in Dog Day Afternoon who robs a bank because he is not financially stable enough to sponsor partner’s sex affirmation surgery. The plot of the film is hilarious and this actor knows exactly what to do in order to make a film stand out. The audience is supposed to think of him as a hero and not a villain and the best part is that this goal was achieved!
3. Sir Peter O’Toole
It has been said that Sir Peter O’Toole’s performance in Venus was one of his best. The plot revolves around an aging man, namely him, who falls in love with Venus, an underage but undeniable beautiful teenage girl.
4. Peter Sellers
Peter Sellers has achieved the impossible in Dr. Strangelove – he plays four roles and interestingly, they are all very different from each other. He manages to change his colors like a chameleon as and when the director commands him to do so.
5. Sir Paul Scofield
His performance in A Man for All Seasons was nothing if not flawless in every way. His character was extremely knowledgeable when it came to Jesus and the Bible and needless to say, he knew almost everything about the religion.
6. Daniel Day-Lewis
Daniel Day-Lewis spent a year in isolation trying to perfect his voice before filming for There Will Be Blood began. His aim was to get into character and play the role of a ruthless and brutal man who cared only about beating up people.
7. Sir Anthony Hopkins
Sir Anthony Hopkins’ performance in The Silence of the Lambs is definitely remarkable because he manages to disgust and enrage the audience at the same time. He looks intimidating and malicious without saying a word and when he does deliver his lines, he stares at the other person in this unnerving manner that is sure to make you uncomfortable.
8. Marlon Brando
Marlon Brando was outstanding in The Godfather – he towered over the other three actors in the film, namely, Al Pacino, Robert Duvall and James Caan. He shines brighter than any other male protagonist in one scene during the movie when he finds out that his son is dead.
9. F. Murray Abraham
F. Murray Abraham’s character in Amadeus is daunting and his character is full of sorrow and misery. His body language is perfect and his dialogue delivery is faultless, to say the least.
10. Spencer Tracy
If you are looking for the best and most extraordinary male protagonist in a Hollywood film, it is Spencer Tracy in Boys Town. He is so good that the audience felt that he wasn’t acting at all and was in fact, living his character’s life.
Heath Ledger should be on this list for his role as Joker! The script was great in Dark Knight, but Ledger’s acting made the movie incredible!