Scene Stealers

[slashgirl]

We've all done it: seen a movie for one actor, only to be more impressed by another. Those actors are scene stealers, and they can be lead or supporting. For example, Alan Rickman stole every scene he was in in Die Hard and Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves-that is, those that Morgan Freeman didn't steal first.

As cute as Heath Ledger was in A Knight's Tale, it was Paul Bettany's Chaucer who stole the film, in all his nekkid glory. And The Rock was definitely the best thing about Be Cool, as far as I'm concerned.

Talk about your favorite scene stealing performances here.

[Augustus]

Troy, went to see it due to Orlando Bloom, but only came out loving Eric Bana more. Same thing happened when Pirates of the Caribbean came out. Then again, it is Capt. Jack Sparrow we're talking about here. Hee!

[Maddiemoo]

As cute as Heath Ledger was in A Knight's Tale, it was Paul Bettany's Chaucer who stole the film, in all his nekkid glory.

Oh hell, yes. He was the best thing about that movie.

[Deleted]

One of my favorite scene-stealing performances is Vincent Cassel in Elizabeth. That film had so many awesome performaces, but he remained one of my favorite parts of the film (maybe because he was genuinely funny). He hasn't been so well used in an English language film since. Sadly. He is a great actor, but no one knows what to do with a skinny, borderline fug, Frenchman when he isn't speaking French. Sigh.

[kafka]

slashgirl said:

For example, Alan Rickman stole every scene he was in in Die Hard and Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves

I'm obviously hugely biased but my beloved AR definitely comes in first as Scene-Stealers. *ESPECIALLY* in Robin Hood. (See signature line.)

In terms of recent movies, I have to mention Oliver Platt in the recent Casanova. One of the worst films I've seen in a while, beautiful locations, scenes and costumes notwithstanding. The *ONLY* good thing about the entire movie was Oliver Platt. And the small Persian chap who played Whoopi Goldberg's sidekick in her short-lived TV series.

I also have to give a brief nod to Hank Azaria as Agador in The Birdcage. He didn't "steal" the movie but he was an unexpected delight and joy. Never seen a funnier performance by anyone in a g-string thong and high heels while watering flowers and singing with a crazy accent.

[Daisy Pusher]

I will never forget seeing True Lies and thinking that Tom Arnold was the best thing about it.

[kafka]

kokopelli said:

I will never forget seeing True Lies and thinking that Tom Arnold was the best thing about it.

Absolutely and totally. The *BEST* thing about the entire movie. Who knew that Roseanne's Ex was actually really talented, or could be so good and so funny?!

[india7]

Tommy Lee Jones in every scene in The Fugitive!

[Deleted]

Oh yes to Tom Arnold in True Lies. I have a soft spot for him and it was great to see his brand of obnoxiousness used to its best advantage.

[sleepy]

Oh, I loved Agador Spartacus. It's hard to be a scene stealer when you're in the manic shadows of Nathan Lane and Robin Williams, but he was great.


But ya know, even Olly Platt couldn't save Casanova for me. I slept through most of it and thought it was all rubbish.