Reacting To Matt Walsh’s List Of Best Acting Performances

The discussion analyzes and critiques various lists of the best acting performances of the 21st century, particularly focusing on Daniel Day-Lewis and Philip Seymour Hoffman's unparalleled versatility.

• Daniel Day-Lewis in 'There Will Be Blood' is widely considered the undisputed best performance of the 21st century.

• Philip Seymour Hoffman's versatility and nuance across his filmography make him a consistently strong contender for top acting honors.

• Evaluating performances requires considering emotional range, complexity, and overall impact, not just iconic status or a singular strong 'note.'

The podcast reacts to Matt Walsh's analysis of The Ringer's top 101 movie performances of the 21st century, where the hosts mostly agree with Walsh's overall assessment while offering their own modifications and additional picks. A central point of agreement is Daniel Day-Lewis's performance in 'There Will Be Blood' as the undisputed number one, with ongoing debate on other actors' versatility and impact, such as Philip Seymour Hoffman and Javier Bardem.

Critique of The Ringer's List

• 00:00:11 The Ringer's list of 101 best movie performances of the 21st century is reviewed, with its top 10 revealed including Kirsten Dunst, Joaquin Phoenix, Jesse Eisenberg, Denzel Washington, Heath Ledger, Javier Bardem, Cate Blanchett, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Daniel Day-Lewis, and Naomi Watts. While acknowledging it's 'not a terrible list,' the speaker strongly asserts that Daniel Day-Lewis's performance in 'There Will Be Blood' should definitively be ranked number one, calling it a 'towering artistic achievement' and one of the greatest film performances of all time.

Matt Walsh's Top Performances

• 00:01:05 Matt Walsh's revised top 10 list places Daniel Day-Lewis in 'There Will Be Blood' at number one, Philip Seymour Hoffman (specifically in 'Capote') at number two for a nuanced and layered performance, and Javier Bardem in 'No Country for Old Men' at number three, controversially ranking him above Heath Ledger in 'Dark Knight.' Walsh also suggests Ryan Gosling in 'Blue Valentine' for its fantastic performance, despite the movie's dark and bleak nature, and Joaquin Phoenix in 'Her' for his role as a man falling in love with AI.

Refining the Top Performances

• 00:02:11 The hosts largely agree with Matt Walsh's picks, especially Daniel Day-Lewis at number one, and add Daniel Day-Lewis in 'Gangs of New York' as a strong contender for number two, highlighting Day-Lewis's unparalleled talent. Philip Seymour Hoffman's versatility is praised, with the observation that almost any of his films could showcase his range. However, Javier Bardem's performance in 'No Country for Old Men' is critiqued as 'one note,' lacking emotional range, and Ryan Gosling is debated, with his 'First Man' role considered a top 15 performance.

Additional Actor Recognitions

• 00:03:59 Several other actors and performances are suggested as deserving of recognition, including Tom Hardy in 'Locke' for a compelling one-man show, J.K. Simmons in 'Whiplash' for a mesmerizing portrayal, and Russell Crowe in 'Gladiator.' Jim Carrey's dramatic roles, like in 'Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind,' are questioned for potentially receiving 'affirmative action points' for comedic actors. Other notable mentions include Viggo Mortensen in 'Eastern Promises,' Leonardo DiCaprio in 'Wolf of Wall Street,' Andy Serkis as Gollum (due to the physical and vocal demands), Ulrich Mew in 'The Lives of Others,' Gary Oldman in 'Darkest Hour,' Bruno Gans in 'Downfall,' Sandra Hüller in 'Anatomy of a Fall' and 'The Zone of Interest,' Jake Gyllenhaal in 'Nightcrawler,' Christian Bale as Batman, and Sissy Spacek in 'In the Bedroom.'