A great loss. My favorite GH movies include The Conversation, Mississippi Burning, Narrow Margin (fabulous remake of a classic train noir), Enemy of the State, The Firm, Royal Tenenbaums. Like Spencer Tracy or Jimmy Stewart, he was absolutely authentic and convincing in every role he did.
Sad news, for sure. With him off of the screen for (hard to believe) nearly 20 years, Hackman faded a bit from memory; however, seeing his image on the news my mind was flooded by what a dominating force he was in movies for the first 2/3rds of my life. Hackman is emblematic of a kind of actor you just don't see these days...not pretty, rough around the edges, the sort of person you might see working the counter at an auto parts store in Independence, MO that you wouldn't give two thoughts about later. However, on screen, he was entirely captivating. I wish there were more like him.
Hackman = Hoosiers for me. Love him in other roles like the Royal Tenenbaums, but Hoosiers came out at the right time in my development that it's always stuck with me as his quintessential role.
My favorite Hackman was probably Get Shorty, Hoosiers and Royal Tenenbaum. And Lil Bill of course. One of the meanest villians ever on screen.
He had this authenticity, so that you believed he was who he said he was....but you also sensed that he might be able to look you right in the eye and lie to you without flinching.
He had the charisma of being a tough guy but with a conscience. Kind of like old school dads. He had that sense of authority, but with a sense of charm too. Tannenbaums is a great example, but so is Hoosiers-- he's the smart coach, but when you hear he hit a kid at his last job you immediately can see it, and you feel his regret about it too. Unforgiven too--he's the sherriff, the voice of authority, but he understands if he doesn't make an example of Bob, things are going to unravel quickly, and so goes overboard with the beat down.
My favorite Hackman role though was Mississippi Burning. As the paternal FBI guy counterbalance to Willem Dafoe's zealous dive head first partner, he's the calm voice of reason. He wants to get to the bottom of everything just as much as Dafoe, but understands there's a better way to get at it, and is proven right. The barber scene with Brad Dourif where he holds a straight razor to Dourif's throat he really gets a chance to shine both the toughness and the charm. Perfection.
Thank you for the article about my favorite actor. Gene Hackman. His performance touched me so much in 'The Royal Tenenbaum' because it portrayed in many ways my own father. The great talent of Gene Hackman came through to us on the screen.
Somehow I managed to see The Package like eight times.
Excellent!
A great loss. My favorite GH movies include The Conversation, Mississippi Burning, Narrow Margin (fabulous remake of a classic train noir), Enemy of the State, The Firm, Royal Tenenbaums. Like Spencer Tracy or Jimmy Stewart, he was absolutely authentic and convincing in every role he did.
So many great performances. But I can’t forget his great comic performance as the blind monk in Young Frankenstein.
C’mon! Crimson Tide with Denzel. Favorite movie of all time.
My top Gene Hackman, I'm surprised you didn't mention it: Mississippi Burning. That's the hard ready to beat the Klan. Adios fellow New Mexicano
Sad news, for sure. With him off of the screen for (hard to believe) nearly 20 years, Hackman faded a bit from memory; however, seeing his image on the news my mind was flooded by what a dominating force he was in movies for the first 2/3rds of my life. Hackman is emblematic of a kind of actor you just don't see these days...not pretty, rough around the edges, the sort of person you might see working the counter at an auto parts store in Independence, MO that you wouldn't give two thoughts about later. However, on screen, he was entirely captivating. I wish there were more like him.
Hackman = Hoosiers for me. Love him in other roles like the Royal Tenenbaums, but Hoosiers came out at the right time in my development that it's always stuck with me as his quintessential role.
Argee
My favorite Hackman was probably Get Shorty, Hoosiers and Royal Tenenbaum. And Lil Bill of course. One of the meanest villians ever on screen.
He had this authenticity, so that you believed he was who he said he was....but you also sensed that he might be able to look you right in the eye and lie to you without flinching.
... the french connection
He had the charisma of being a tough guy but with a conscience. Kind of like old school dads. He had that sense of authority, but with a sense of charm too. Tannenbaums is a great example, but so is Hoosiers-- he's the smart coach, but when you hear he hit a kid at his last job you immediately can see it, and you feel his regret about it too. Unforgiven too--he's the sherriff, the voice of authority, but he understands if he doesn't make an example of Bob, things are going to unravel quickly, and so goes overboard with the beat down.
My favorite Hackman role though was Mississippi Burning. As the paternal FBI guy counterbalance to Willem Dafoe's zealous dive head first partner, he's the calm voice of reason. He wants to get to the bottom of everything just as much as Dafoe, but understands there's a better way to get at it, and is proven right. The barber scene with Brad Dourif where he holds a straight razor to Dourif's throat he really gets a chance to shine both the toughness and the charm. Perfection.
He will be missed.
Thank you for the article about my favorite actor. Gene Hackman. His performance touched me so much in 'The Royal Tenenbaum' because it portrayed in many ways my own father. The great talent of Gene Hackman came through to us on the screen.
The bird cage was mine... I thought he nailed it.
Me again, sorry. Love reading everyone's favorite roles of his below. Mine: Scarecrow with Al Pacino. If you haven't seen it...highly recommended
Thank you for your tribute. He was a lifelong favorite of mine. Nothing he couldn't do, and do unbelievably well. RIP Gene, I hope you didn't suffer.