Gene Hackman's best performance may be in one of his most overlooked films: The French Connection II. The cold turkey sequence is almost impossible to watch. That sequence left me chilled to the bone.
Gene Hackman
- Thread starter Insidious Von
- Start date
Finally found someone who agrees with my opinion about Frencc Connection 2. Not only is it one of Hackman's best performances, it's an even better movie that the first French Connection. What an incredible ending as well, when I first saw it in a theatre I stood up and yelled YES! at the very end of the movie.
Steve McQueen had right of first refusal to Popeye Doyle, but he wasn't enthusiastic. He didn't see the potential in the character, to hi he'd played the part before. Hackman wasn't well known but his pals Warren Beatty and his acting classmate Dustin Hoffman went to bat for him. Still he wasn't the selling point for The French Connection, it was Spanish actor Fernando Rey (Chernier) who at the time was a superstar in Europe. Chernier and Doyle were perfect bookends and the film won Best Film.
The same year as FC II, Rey gave the performance of his life in Lina Wirtmuller's Seven Beauties ( IMHO the best Italian film ever made), he should have won Best Supporting Actor hands down. By the time of his passing in 1994, Rey was considered a legend in Europe, Hackman attended his funeral.
The same year as FC II, Rey gave the performance of his life in Lina Wirtmuller's Seven Beauties ( IMHO the best Italian film ever made), he should have won Best Supporting Actor hands down. By the time of his passing in 1994, Rey was considered a legend in Europe, Hackman attended his funeral.
It was Superman and Superman II that brought Gene Hackman into my pre-teen aged radar. Sure it was not his best work but if it was not for the Superman movies, I would not have become aware of many of the listed movies.
Interestingly Peter Boyle was in the sequel "Beyond the Poseidon Adventure".
I LOVED Crimson Tide. Best scene is when he argues with Denzel Washington. He was so convincing as a fucked up sub commander.
What's that movie where he plays a jury analyst?
That one was good too.
Gene Hackman has been acting so long, there is just too many good movies and good parts.
One of the best movies I ever saw, was The Birdcage.
That movie was a very good movie, on so many levels.
Nowadays, you cannot make another movie like that. With gay marriage now legal in the Bible Belt in America, making a movie like The Birdcage would be like making a documentary.
Watch the escape scene at the conclusion of the movie, in case you must do the same tomorrow.
One of the best movies I ever saw, was The Birdcage.
That movie was a very good movie, on so many levels.
Nowadays, you cannot make another movie like that. With gay marriage now legal in the Bible Belt in America, making a movie like The Birdcage would be like making a documentary.
Watch the escape scene at the conclusion of the movie, in case you must do the same tomorrow.
Yes, when the kids look kind of intimidated when they get to the State Finals, he gets them to measure the rim to the floor. 'Just like back home in Hickory'.
This one ? ... There were a few.
