Supporting Superstars

Reilly

Ribisi

Some actors move from extra, to one-liner, to character, to supporting actor, to lead and some don't. There are few actors who excel at propping-up the likes of Brad Pitt, Will Smith and Tom Cruise. Let's meet a couple:

Giovanni Ribisi

Ribisi was in Gone in 60 Seconds, Saving Private Ryan, The Gift and Lost in Translation. He did play a lead role in Boiler Room but Ribisi does well in supporting roles. Of course, if he is such a good actor, should he not be offered for leading parts? I have not cast for any blockbuster or major art films so I cannot change his acting career in that sense. However, I will say that he could have taken the lead in Avatar and opposed to Sam Worthington. He may not be quite as built as Worthington but Worthington was in a wheelchair in that film, so I am not convinced that would have mattered.

John C Reilly

He is an incredible actor. He can do comedy and drama seamlessly. I have written a previous post on this blog, in which I detailed his brilliance. He stars in so many films and cannot seem to do a poor performance. With this in mind, here's my hit and miss record with respect to most of Mr Reilly's films:

2011 Cedar Rapids - Playing Dean Ziegler. It's what happens when people go on a work conference. It sounds as if it is full of humorous debauchery.

2011 Terri - Playing Mr. Fitzgerald. It's from the producers of Half Nelson and Blue Valentine, two excellent films. Ryan Gosling is not in it like he was in those but, surely, the producers won't want to tarnish their record.

2010 The Extra Man- Playing Gershon Gruen - I'm not sure either.

2010 Cyrus - Playing John - A well-received mix of drama and comedy from Reilly

2009 Cirque du Freak: The Vampire's Assistant - Playing Larten Crepsley - Good performance in a messy film

2009 Zombieland - Playing Bathroomzombie (uncredited) - Excellent cameo in a fun, fresh zombie film

2008 Step Brothers - Playing Dale Doback - Brilliant chemistry with Will Ferrell

2008 The Promotion - Playing Richard Wehlner - Not his best work

2007 Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story - Playing Dewey Cox - Comedic tour de force

2007 Year of the Dog - Playing Al - average

2006 Tenacious D in The Pick of Destiny - Playing Sasquatch (uncredited) - Decent cameo

2006 Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby - Playing Cal Naughton Jr. - Great with Ferrell

2006 A Prairie Home Companion - Playing Lefty - Solid work

2005 Dark Water - Playing Mr. Murray - Boring film but at least he creeped me out

2004 The Aviator - Playing Noah Dietrich - Matches Di Caprio and Blanchett

2004 Criminal - Playing Richard Gaddis - Flat

2003 Anger Management - Older Arnie Shankman (uncredited) - Funny

2002 The Hours - Playing Dan Brown - Excellent

2002 Chicago - Playing Amos Hart - Superb, he can sing too

2002 Gangs of New York - Playing Happy Jack Mulraney - Does what he needs to, great ensemble film

2002 The Good Girl - Playing Phil Last - Sweet performance

2001 The Anniversary Party - Playing Mac Forsyth - Poor film he could not save

2000 The Perfect Storm - Playing Dale 'Murph' Murphy - Solid job

1999 Magnolia - Playing Officer Jim Kurring - Moving

1999 For Love of the Game - Playing Gus Sinski - Decent

1999 The Settlement - Playing Pat - Not seen yet

1999 Never Been Kissed - Playing Gus - Not that memorable

1998 The Thin Red Line - Playing Sgt. Storm - Good performance

1997 Boogie Nights - Playing Reed Rothchild - Brilliant, one of his best roles

1996 Hard Eight - Playing John - Very good

1995 Georgia - Playing Herman - Moving

1994 The River Wild - Playing Terry - Does the job

1993 What's Eating Gilbert Grape - Playing Tucker Van Dyke - Excellent

1990 Days of Thunder - Playing Buck Bretherton - Good

Alistair Anderson