I was watching Burn After Reading and it made me think about all the different roles John Malkovich has played. While he can play a belligerent a** like nobody else, he has also played one of my most loved roles ever, Lennie from Of Mice and Men.
Note I'm talking about my favorite John Malkovich role, not movie; though it may just be my favorite movie too now that I think about it. Yes, actually, Of Mice and Men is also my favorite John Malkovich movie.
His portrayal of that character was perfect. If a person were to screw up that role, the whole movie would be shot because it hinges on you loving that man. And oh, how we loved him. The vulnerability he showed was unparalleled. Yes, I know there's been dozens of great mentally challenged characters in movies. Sean Penn in I am Sam was also one of my favorites, but I think Lennie tops that.
When George goes off on Lenny and talks about how easy life would be without him and Lennie says, "If you don’t want me I can go off ... in the hills an’ find a cave. I can go away any time.", man that kills me every time. It was so believable, I just wanted to sweep him up and console him. Now that's acting.
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