Ok all, I promise this will be my LAST article EVER to mention Robert Pattinson (well unless he becomes involved in some bizarre snorkeling accident involving an angry starfish or something). Anyway, I’ve been hearing a lot of responses to my “Top Ten Greatest Actors” list stating that RPatz is “just starting out” and can’t be compared to anyone that I mentioned, and that it isn’t fair. WAAAAAHH!!! Of course, that wasn’t even the point of the article, as I was merely responding to a question asking me what I thought ‘great acting’ was. That being said, let me state unequivocally that I don’t have some kind of bias against young good looking actors, quite the contrary, I feel there are a bunch of ‘em out there that have a tremendous amount of potential. So in the interest of closure, here is my list of 10 young actors under 30 whom I think possess ‘the goods’ that Pattinson sadly does not.
10) Paul Dano
His take as a hypocritical preacher in “There Will Be Blood” was one of the best things I’ve seen in a long time. He truly was a mesmerising presence on screen. There’s a frenetic quality to him that is very compelling, and the final scene in the film was truly a powerhouse. I hated “Little Miss Sunshine,” so I can’t really speak too much about his performance in that, although I could say he was the thing I loathed the least about it, which in a way is sort of a compliment. Still, solely based on his role in “There Will Be Blood,” I will definitely keep my eye out for him as an up and coming star.
9) Josh Hutcherson
So far everything I’ve seen this kid in has impressed me. He’s got great warmth to him that comes through strong on screen, endearing you to him instantly. I first caught him in a cute movie called “Little Manhattan” about a young boy’s first love, and I found him very affecting in it. “Journey To the Center of The Earth” was also a fun flick in which he excelled. In fact, I thought he was the best thing in it. At 16 years old, he’s got plenty of time to truly develop into something really special.
8 ) Seth Rogen
Although at times I find him grating, there’s no questioning the fact that the guy’s got major ability. Moreover, he’s got a tremendous instinct for what connects with an audience as far as the types of movies he picks to get involved in. He’s got a sophisticated comic timing for someone so young, and I believe he’s going to be a major player for a long time.
7) Justin Timberlake
Not only does Timberlake possess every tool in the belt when it comes to dancin’ and singin’, but it turns out the kid’s got major acting chops as well. He was damned good in “Alpha Dog,” bringing to the role a physical menace with an interesting core warmth that worked well. “Black Snake Moan” was a piece of shit movie, but he was by far the best thing in it. To date though, his greatest work has been his appearances on SNL. He definitely has an innate comic flair, and I believe with the right roles he could develop into a fine actor of light comedies and romances.
6) James McAvoy
Charming and charismatic, he’s a throwback to another time. I could very easily see him in one of those great ‘kitchen sink’ British melodramas from the 60s like “The Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner.” I thought he was very competent in “The Last King of Scotland,” and adorable as Mr. Tumnus in “The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe.” He’s definitely someone who’s got a ton of potential and who I will be expecting great things from in the future.
5) Joseph Gordon-Levitt
Now this guy’s got a unique gift. Even as a child on “3rd Rock From the Sun,” it was evident that there was something really special about him. It’s wonderful to see that he’s been growing by leaps and bounds as an actor. He’s also got a great sense for choosing interesting projects. I thought the Noir-ish mystery “Brick” was very well done, and he played it with a lot of nuance. I haven’t seen his new movie “500 Days of Summer,” but everyone I know that has, raves about his performance in it. He definitely seems to be more interested in making substantial work, rather than going for blockbuster shlock.
4) Ryan Gosling
Gosling is simply a fantastic actor. He’s already got one Oscar nomination for his powerful performance in “Half Nelson,” and I have no doubt that he will eventually win one day. His ability to play quirky characters as he did in “Lars and the Real Girl,” as well being the romantic leading man like his turn in “The Notebook,” makes him one of the greatest young actors today. I believe he’s going to have a long and illustrious career ahead of him.
3) Zac Efron
Zac Efron’s not only one of the best looking celebrities to come along in ages, but he’s also proven himself to be a truly competent actor. I first caught notice of him in”Hairspray,” and I was immediately struck. He can sing and dance wonderfully, and he’s also got a great comedic sense. I mean, he’s definitely not just another pretty face, he’s a true talent. When I heard that he turned down the lead in the upcoming remake of “Footloose,” I thought it was a good move. He’s obviously thinking ahead, not wanting to get pigeon-holed into the musicals genre.
2) Shia LaBeouf
Again, here we’ve got a genuine talent. I really enjoyed his performance in “Disturbia.” I thought it was a very clever ‘reimagining’ of one of my favorite films, “Rear Window,” and he played it with a lot of maturity and skill. The other day I caught “Eagle Eye” on cable, and his performance really drew me in. It seems he’s been making a lot of action films early in his career; I’m intrigued to see how he fares in the upcoming sequel to “Wall Street.”
1) Jake Gyllenhaal
Already nominated for an Oscar for his heartbreakingly brilliant portrayal of Jack Twist in “Brokeback Mountain,” Jake Gyllenhaal is on his way to become a truly ‘great’ actor. His role as a conflicted Marine in “Jarhead” was raw and gripping in an otherwise underwhelming film, and “Donnie Darko” has become a veritable cult-classic, having much to do with the layered performance he turned in. On a side note, Jake was one of the major names mentioned in the casting for “Spider Man,” and I really believe he would have been the better choice over Tobey Maguire. It’s not that I dislike Maguire (in fact, he would have made this list if he were a few years younger), it’s just that Jake has all the elements that would have made a classic Peter Parker. There are rumblings, in fact, that Sony Pictures studio is thinking of replacing Maguire with Gyllenhaal, so I’ll definitely be rooting for that. Anyway, the sky’s the limit for Jake as far as his career goes. “Prince of Persia” will be his next big release, and it should be interesting to see how it does. Personally, making a movie out of a video game doesn’t sound like a very compelling concept to me, but who knows? Either way, Jake’s gonna do just fine in the future!
So that’s that…my “Top Ten Young Actors Under 30″. I hope we all can now have peace in the valley, hold hands and sing Kumbaya in resounding harmony.
Bonus Read: Robert Pattinson vs. The Top 10 Actors of All Time (Part 1)
Bonus Read: Robert Pattinson vs. The Top 10 Actors of All Time (Part 2)
Branwyn Lancourt
Just your average, ordinary, every day malcontented misanthrope. My disdain for the current state of popular culture permeates my very core. Hence, I feel obligated to tug on your coat about it until you’re just as nauseated as I am. ...
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