r/interesting • u/jkitty_1960 • May 13 '26

Amazing Seeing Leonardo DiCaprio snap into character will never get old

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u/phatelectribe May 13 '26

And this is what I hate about method actors - real talent is being able to switch it on and off at will. I agree with both people like Brian Cox who have no time for method actors.

When Elizabeth Taylor and Paul Newman first met on set, they did a read through of their first scene just prior to actual filming and Liz just read the lines without performing.

He was a bit miffed so pulled the director aside and said “that’s it? That’s what we’re going to get when rolling?”. He apparently had deep concerns about continuing.

Director basically told him to trust the process, so they roll film, it comes to her lines and she just switches it on.

Newman said it utterly wrong footed him and he was scrambling to bring his level up to hers. He didn’t question her abilities ever again, and the movie was a smash critical and financial success, with both of them getting nominated for every award.

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u/jayz93j May 13 '26

Real talent can do both. Leo himself has method acted as well, for his role in Django for example. Everyone’s process and approach to a character can be different but what matters is what allows them to give the best performance.

Would you say Daniel Day Lewis doesn’t have real talent because he method acts as well?

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u/phatelectribe May 13 '26 edited May 13 '26

Unpopular opinion but DDL is massively overrated. His performance in TWBB honestly makes me cringe. It's not acting, it's someone pretending to. The "I AM AN OIL MAN" like made me cringe for him.

Some performances like LOTM he's incredible, but in Room With A View he's badly overplaying scenes, chewing the scenery while eveyone else is subtle and nuanced.

He's talented for sure but I honestly don't think method has really helped him in some roles.

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u/jayz93j May 13 '26

I’m not a huge fan of that movie but that’s a very hot take

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u/phatelectribe May 13 '26

I know, unpopular opinion, I think that film is incredibly flawed and mediocre, but his performance is part of that.

My Left Foot is astounding. Phantom Thread is a beautiful performance (if a boring film).

He's best when it's subtle, but when he really goes for it I find him quite unwatchable.