The Incredible Hulk and Ironman are the summer movies to beat! In both instances, the movies’ success rely solely on the talent of their leading men. Yes, there are competent performances by their respective supporting casts. But, there is no doubt in my mind that the success of these two films can be traced directly back to the stellar performances of Edward Norton and Robert Downey Jr. Two men who have proven time and again with their wise choices and abundant talent that they are two men to be reckoned with in Hollywood.
Right out of the gate, Edward Norton’s talent was apparent. Shining and shocking us in his role opposite Richard Gere. He was new to the big screen then, but, he captivated us withhis innocence. And, soon after, horrified us with his cold calculating ways as Aaron Stampler. Then there was American History X… then Fight Club… The Score… Red Dragon… 25th Hour… The Illusionist… The Painted Veil and on and on. Each movie allowing us to watch him grow before our eyes. We watch his characters become more layered… more complex… more real.
The Painted Veil sits at the top of his resume as a true example of cinema as art. We watch him become Walter Fane. A man who loves his wife so deeply that her ultimate betrayal crushes him. His anger and pain compel him to accept a dangerous assignment in a region of China that is riddled with Cholera. And, through his refusal to grant his wife a divorce, forces her to accompany him. We watch as the isolation, time, and his ultimate illness cause the characters to come full circle. The end result is a tragic love story that allows Edward Norton and Naomi Watts to showcase their talent.
It is this ability to act as leading man or action hero with equal finesse that have us running to the theaters to watch him in both The Incredible Hulk and The Painted Veil. I can’t wait to see what kind of journey he takes us on next time.
And, Robert Downey Jr. He’s another actor that never ceases to surprise you with his talent, charisma, and humor. He’s the underdog that we want to win. We want to cheer for him and we want to see him come out on top. We know that he lives in a world where temptations beckon at every turn. We know that he’s had a few vices. But, we also know that these vices contribute to his artistic talent. And, we want to see him rise above it all. His journey is entwined with ours. He speaks to us from a very real place. We identify with him… flaws and all. Do we identify with him in spite of his flaws? Or… because of them?
Thanks.