Robert Duvall

[meatball]

I just read this great article on Duvall, Hoffman and Hackman in their youth as struggling actors -- and their lives were basically made up of two things -- women and acting. It sounded like a rough lifestyle but amusing, and of the three friends it seems like Duvall was the one left behind in a way. He never really "made" it as big as Hoffman and Hackman did. Which is too bad, because he's consistently good in the work I've seen him in.

[Ghostboy]

I don't know, I'd pretty much consider him on their level. Maybe a tad bit lower. He's genuinely great in everything he does, even when it's utter shit paycheck material (Gone In 60 Seconds). Best performance? I don't know, I'm hard pressed not to say Lonesome Dove. But let's also not forget how great he is behind the camera: The Apostle was a masterpiece.

[hedwig]

I like Robert Duvall in "Falling Down" but I LOVE him in "Network." Obviously, uh, "Godfather," and...let's not forget Boo Radley in "To Kill a Mockingbird." When I read the book, someone told me Duvall played Boo in the movie and I just shook my head smiling and said "of course."

Btw, I would love to read this article. Where did you find it?

[ddbright]

He has made it big from a critical standpoint.  He won the Oscar for "Tender Mercies" and was unbelievable in "Apocalypse Now," among many other works.

[Pubrick]

He has made it big from a critical standpoint.  He won the Oscar for "Tender Mercies" and was unbelievable in "Apocalypse Now," among many other works.

i'm forced by law to welcome u to xixax, and to encourage u to introduce urself..

[soixante]

Let's not forget Duvall's brilliant performance in M*A*S*H as Frank Burns.

[Fernando]

It's all about Days of Thunder and the unforgetable freeze frame at the end.

[soixante]

It's all about Days of Thunder and the unforgetable freeze frame at the end.

It was the greatest freeze-frame at the end of a movie since 400 Blows -- or maybe FIST with Stallone.

From an acting standpoint, Days of Thunder is a challenge, because Duvall had to talk to a car.

[modage]

Hasselhoff handled it.

[cowboykurtis]

It's all about Days of Thunder and the unforgetable freeze frame at the end.

does anyone have a screen grab of this -  i cant remember it at all - its been years since ive seen this

[Fernando]

It's all about Days of Thunder and the unforgetable freeze frame at the end.

does anyone have a screen grab of this -  i cant remember it at all - its been years since ive seen this

Apparently nobody has it.    

Scroll down.

[Pubrick]

It's all about Days of Thunder and the unforgetable freeze frame at the end.

does anyone have a screen grab of this -  i cant remember it at all - its been years since ive seen this

Apparently nobody has it.    

Scroll down.

hahah, it was the request that broke the thread.

[Gold Trumpet]

A Robert Duvall thread and I never commented? Robert Duvall is our national treasure as far as actors go. He is the sanest of actors who will refuse to allow over the top tendencies to take over a role. He is also the actor most likely to play his part that in context to the life around that character. The subtle changes he has from role to role expresses so much that can't be spoken. In the film, "A Shot for Glory", he plays a Scottishman in a film already dominated by a Scottish cast. He makes no attempt to blend in through costume design. He goes into the role as naturally as any Scottish actor would and comes off as distinctly Scottish to those who wouldn't know better.

His best performance would be Tender Mercies. I'd also argue that his performance in Apocalypse Now wasn't even good. I think it is a misfire in writing and performance. Duvall was playing a caricature only.

[Ravi]

A Robert Duvall thread and I never commented? Robert Duvall is our national treasure as far as actors go.

...which is why I go "WHAT THE FUCK" whenever he turns up in stuff like Kicking and Screaming.  I hope he's only doing it to fund another film.