NOW PLAYING: Hello, It's Me

[SCyclone]

Welcome to this week's edition of Now Playing, a discussion of all things cinematic. (I apologize for not having a thread for a week or so.)

This week's topic - can you think of a movie that featured the debut of an actor or actress in which they stole the film? Some actors don't blossom immediately, but others make their presence felt right out of the chute. I'll give a couple examples, please share yours.

 

[SCyclone]

Michael Keaton in Night Shift

Keaton steals the film as ADD, wisecracking idea man Billy Blazejowski. Directed by Ron Howard, screenplay by Babaloo Mandel. A very underrated comedy, and one of my all-time favorites.

 

[SCyclone]

Ed Norton in Primal Fear

Norton is alternately wistful and chilling as the supposed dual-personality accused of a grisly murder. Richard Gere is hit hot-shot lawyer, Laura Linney as Gere's ex who now works for the D.A.'s office.

 

[Angie]

Ed Norton in Primal Fear

Norton is alternately wistful and chilling as the supposed dual-personality accused of a grisly murder. Richard Gere is hit hot-shot lawyer, Laura Linney as Gere's ex who now works for the D.A.'s office.

That was going to be mine!

 

[Cyclones_R_GR8]

Natalie Portman in Leon: The Professional

I should add Edward Norton was my first thought as well.

 

[Pickman]

Natalie Portman in Leon: The Professional

I should add Edward Norton was my first thought as well.

Definitely! I was going to say Natalie Portman as well.

Also, Jason Schwartzman in Rushmore


Jamie Lee Curtis in Halloween

 

[BoxsterCy]

 

[cyhiphopp]

Johnny Depp in Nightmare on Elm Street

 

[oldman]

Tatum O'Neal in Paper Moon.

 

[cyhiphopp]

Where the six degrees began.

Kevin Bacon in Animal House

 

[jdcyclone19]

Ed Norton in Primal Fear

Norton is alternately wistful and chilling as the supposed dual-personality accused of a grisly murder. Richard Gere is hit hot-shot lawyer, Laura Linney as Gere's ex who now works for the D.A.'s office.

I love the ending to this movie.

 

[srjclone]

Saoirse Ronan - People can Argue Brooklyn, but I'm going with Grand Budapest Hotel

 

[srjclone]

A bit older

William H Macy - Fargo
Viola Davis - Doubt
Jeremy Renner - The Hurt Locker

Norton and Portman were on my list as well

 

[srjclone]

Alicia Vikander - Ex Machina

 

[srjclone]

Abraham Attah - Agu in Beasts of No Nation (I know he isn't big yet, but this is one of the few films I've been floored by an acting performance.)

 

[cyclones500]

Are we limited to actors whobecame higher-profile after the debut/early role?

 

[VeloClone]

I'm not a huge Leonardo fan, but he put on quite a performance in What's Eating Gilbert Grape.

 

[cyclones500]

I'm not a huge Leonardo fan, but he put on quite a performance in What's Eating Gilbert Grape.

Good example. I thought about that one, but didn't know if it'd qualify, he had a few other movies prior to that (although Grape was the first one I remember)

 

[flynnhicks03]

Good example. I thought about that one, but didn't know if it'd qualify, he had a few other movies prior to that (although Grape was the first one I remember)

He was also in "Growing Pains".

 

[srjclone]

I'm not a huge Leonardo fan, but he put on quite a performance in What's Eating Gilbert Grape.

My first memory of both Leo and Mark Wahlberg is from The Basketball Diaries haha