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A-List: Best DebutsFebruary 14, 2003
"Let’s start at the very beginning. A very good place to start.” Welcome to the first of a hopefully regularly recurring column here at BOP. A-List will typically highlight what I consider to be the best of that particular topic; however sometimes instead of being the A-List, it might just be a list with some vague theme. These lists are intended to spark discussion with perhaps a secondary goal of inspiring readers to look into some of the films discussed. They are not intended to be definitive as I am at best an above average film fan as opposed to any type of professional cineaste. I also have some definite biases that might become apparent as these columns unfold. If you have any additions or disagreements to any of the lists, feel free to send them in as it is quite possible that they will be addressed in future columns. In a mostly appropriate fashion, the first topic will be Best Debuts. The ground rules that I used to limit the list were that the performer continues to have at least a moderately successful career and that their debut was relatively recent.
Edward Norton: Primal FearEdward Norton has been praised for his ability to be almost chameleon-like in his ability to portray a wide variety of roles. This trait was put to excellent use in his very first role. His relatively unassuming looks allow him to mold the audience’s perceptions of his character’s performance. He did undergo some physical preparations for his turn in American History X in order to achieve the physique required.
Hugh Jackman – X-MenUnlike the other entries on my list, Hugh Jackman was under scrutiny from the moment of his casting. He might have been unknown, but the character he was set to portray was one of the most famous mutants in comic book history. Hugh Jackman quite simply became Logan / Wolverine in his debut performance.
Kate Winslet – Heavenly CreaturesWhile it could be claimed that Melanie Lynskey was the true find of Heavenly Creatures (the story was told from her character’s viewpoint and it was the first professional acting of any type that she had done), I’ve chosen to focus on Kate Winslet, partly because of her higher profile career, but also just flat out because personal preference is the larger part of my decision. Based on a true story, the two young actresses are able to skillfully draw the viewer into their self created, isolating world, where separation from each other is unthinkable and doing whatever it takes to stay together just becomes something else to be planned out.
Natalie Portman: Leon / The ProfessionalWell before being the wise-beyond-her-years Queen and Senator of Naboo, Natalie Portman was the self-assured but scarred, wise-beyond-her-years Matilda, wannabe cleaner. We’re not talking about a scrub the floors Cinderelly cleaner, but instead refer to cleaning Luc Besson style, which involves rubbing out people, not stains. The Professional was the US edit of what the rest of the world saw as Leon. This was Luc Besson’s first English-language film and was put together as a US production. Featuring the always-good Besson favorite Jean Reno in the title role and Gary Oldman doing an over-the-top performance as the villain, the movie covers the relationship and adventure of the loner hit man and the recently orphaned Matilda.
Honorable Mentions:Charlize Theron: Two Days in the Valley and Cameron Diaz: The MaskIn my book, while there’s nothing wrong with the performances, it’s the roles themselves that move these two out of the top listing. While both have actresses have been given a chance to act in later roles, these first sightings primarily called for them to look good. This was accomplished in each case in extraordinary fashion. Brad Pitt’s Thelma and Louise performance also gets recognition on the honorable mention list using the same type of thinking.
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