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>>95% of perceived good acting is a >>result of casting and editing. And, to borrow from the late >>Clarence 13X's percentages, the remaining 5% is that truly >>remarkable type, beyond the credit of the director. > >So, when we see Edward Norton give what we percieve as a >'good' performance, chances are a lot of it is due to casting, >editing, and direction.... but.... > >>The Italian Job, The Score, The Red Dragon, and Death to >Smoochy are average to >>below-average movies that weren't elevated in stature by his >>being there. > >When we see him give what we perceive as a 'bad' >performance... then it's all his fault? > >I feel like you're drawing a double standard here. If Norton >can't be held responsible for his good movies, then certainly >he can't be held responsible for his bad ones either. > >As far as movies being 'elevated' by a great actor just being >there, well, just go watch Meet the Fockers and you tell me >how much elevation was going on there.
Truly great actors are great on their own. That's why they can turn out indelible performances in shitty films, in spite of a poor script and poor directing, whatever (see: American History X.)
Then there's the Marky Mark rule. In Boogie Nights (PT Anderson) and then with David O. Russell twice (Three Kings & I Heart Huckabees), he's given exemplary performances. Elsewhere, with less competent directors, he's done what's he done in The Italian Job or The Big Hit. He's an example of the 95%. He's not without praise for his work, but overall any good turn that Wahlberg takes is the director's responsibility. Any bad turn works the same.
I give Norton the due for his good performances, because I believe he has more talent that he's able to bring out himself without the director or role coaxing it out. So I think you're misunderstanding me. Norton is good and deserves his credit, good . . . or bad. His luster of greatness is diminished by several marginal go's.
As for Meet the Fockers.--well, I've only seen Meet the Parents, but even Jordan had airballs and some shit is just beyond repair. (De Niro shoulda stopped acting in 97).
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