Hackman was 88…..
A few years ago I made a list of the greatest living actors. Gene Hackman, who died this week, was on my list, in the 9th slot of ten I noted. He has been a favorite of mine, not to mention, a great two time winner of Oscar. He has appeared in some of my most liked films, some honored flicks, and others, just my take and personal choice as of his acting and the film as a whole. Here is my writing on Hackman.
Greatest Living Film Actors: #9 Gene Hackman
I’ve spent weeks trying to make this selection as the abundance of actors is not the issue for picking a top 10 living actor. After a third viewing of the civil rights movie “Mississippi Burning” my selection was sealed. Always a fan of Hackman, an actor that has brought us a wide range of roles that show diversity, Hackman is a national treasure second to none. It was close as Kirk Douglas, Anthony Hopkins, Denzel Washington, Leonardo D’Caprio, and Johnny Depp are outstanding and worthy of a top ten ranking. God gave Hackman the perfect acting tool, his face. Sometimes blank, often disinterested, always watchable. Violent and mean, loving and caring, and most importantly, engaging in every emotion or lack of. Hackman can do the lead, can do the character acting role, and can do both right.
Christopher Walken with better range, that is Hackman. Hackman is not a joke on screen as Walken often is. Important films can be made by the actor and Hackman has made them in spades. 1967’s ground breaking Bonnie and Clyde was his first major character role that put him on the map. The acting was suburb and paired with Estelle Parsons (Oscar winner) the big brother of Clyde was eye opining. He held his own with Parsons and the rest of the cast and was nominated for the Best Supporting Actor award for the role. In fact, Dunaway, Beaty, Parsons, and Hackman all were nominated for Oscars.
Hackman with Beaty as Buck Barrow, Clyde Barrow’s brother in the violent masterpiece “Bonnie and Clyde.”
Nominated for five Oscars and a two-time winner, my personal best acting job by the man was in the movie “The Conversation”, which I consider one of the greatest movies in history and Francis Ford Coppola‘s greatest movie with the exception of the Godfather II. Made 40 years ago when Hackman was 44, the movie is as fresh to day as it was the day it opened. A personal film, Hackman was never better. Oscar ignored his performance, which was a complete joke. Godfather II won the best picture that year, but Coppola’s other film that year was just as deserving, in my opinion. It’s a shame that Gene Hackman has retired from acting and at 84 some vanity and possible disinterest has set in. Hackman is currently writing novels.
Best Screen Performance: The Conversation
My Favorite Screen Performance: Mississippi Burning
My Favorite Movie: Hoosiers
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