Ben Affleck's Top 5 Acting Performances

I've been a pretty big fan of Affleck since the Chasing Amy, Good Will Hunting days and have been delighted in his phoenix like rising from the ashes to direct such gems as Gone Baby Gone and The Town.

An underrated talent that has proven his chops with an Acadamy award winning script and award winning directing efforts. Ben hits the high of highs with his self penned (with buddy Matt Damon) script Good Will Hunting and his performance in said movie as eponymous Will's buddy Chuck. With it can a slew of quality movies such as Armageddon, Dogma, Pearl Harbour, Shakespeare in Love and The Sum of All Fears. It was in the early 00's that Ben's career appeared to hit the skids. He was more known for being spotted playing poker, drinking and making crappy movies like the legendary Gili with former girlfriend Jennifer Lopez. It was during the 'Bennifer' year that his status as leading man started to slide.

In 2003 he hooked up with Jennifer Garner and eventually married her. This sensible influence in his life must have had a positive role to play in Ben making sounder role choices starting with Hollywoodland in 2006 and his directorial debut of Gone Baby Gone in 2007 and follow up The Town in 2010. He is currently in pre-production for Argo due for release in 2012.

So I figured Affleck's career as an actor would be a good one to have a look at, and it's been an intriguing one. There are some quality action flick far and hidden little unknown gems like Dean Koontz's Phantoms. I'm going to pick the top 5 performance that I rate and go some way to explaining why.

#5

Jersey Girl

This is a much maligned Kevin Smith and didn't find it's audience. Kevin Smith has a cult following and they will see (not necessarily like!) everything he does. They love him for the witty swear riddled dialogue and this movie is not really for that sort of audience. Non- Smith fans like my wife will abstain from seeing his movies at all cost and will judge it before it made. It's a movie that could have performed really well and an interesting study would have been to have Smith direct under a pseudonym find it's audience then go ta-da suckers it me Smith and you liked it!

Anyway it's Affleck we're here for and it's Affleck we'll get. His character Ollie Trinke is left with a baby girl after his wife (ironically J-Lo) dies during childbirth. During the stress of raising a kid alone he loses his job in the music industry and even ostracises himself from it. He goes back to live with his father, the underrated George Carlin and eventually finds his feet as well as the gorgeous Liv Tyler. Ben carries this film and although is surrounded by a strong cast hits his marks and is the reason I like this film. Haven't seen it already because you don't like K. Smith - See it!

#4

The Town

Affleck's directing is top notch here and his acting isn't too far behind. This is a solid job performed by a pro.

#3

Hollywoodland

Here Ben plays George Reeves who played Superman and was mysteriously murdered. Affleck more than holds him own in a beautifully made movie.

#2

Good Will Hunting

Ben acts in the role he and buddy Matt Damon won an academy award for writing. Matt took the eponymous role of Will and Ben was given the less flashy but just as important role of best bud Chuck. Chuck understands Will has a gift and is one of the positive forces encouraging him to use it. Ben is obviously very comfortable with the material and plays it pitch perfect. He even a couple of monologues he knocks out of the park.

#1

Chasing Amy

This is one of my all-time favourite movies and Ben is half of the reason. Jason Lee is the other half. Ok the script also has a huge role to play but Ben has Holden McNeil ticks all of the boxes. Cocky comic book guy, seducer of Joey Lauren Adams' lesbian and jealous boyfriend. He's relaxed and believable the whole time and makes his likable in a way many of actors would have been unable to do.

So far Ben's had a pretty solid acting career and I'm hoping that as he nears 40 it can continue to grow as different types of roles are offered to him.

Honourable mentions:

Phantoms - He was the bomb!
Clerks 2 (Kidding)
Reindeer Games

Until then hail to Fenway!

Kevin Smith Movie List (New and Improved)

This is my updated Kevin Smith list to include Cop Out. Since my last 'list' I've watched every Smith movie so I can get a better handle on their respective placings. My wife doesn't understand why I like these movies so much but she doesn't have a predilection to dick and fart jokes. I guess what I appreciate most is Kevin's eye for dialogue and getting the best of his cast. (see Shannon Doherty) Ok let's proceed to:

#9

Cop Out

This didn't smell like a Smith movie, it didn't sounds like a Smith movie and it damn well didn't taste like one. I do like me some Bruce Willis and I was hoping for a 'Last Boy Scout' type character but instead got 'Whole nine yards' one. Tracey Morgan took his pay check and just 'did' himself. Bizarre cameos from people like Sean William Scott didn't add to the plot either.

#8

Zak and Miri make a Porno

Maybe if this came out when I was 18 I would have enjoyed the flesh more, but... it wasn't. The 2 main characters were so immoral that it was hard to fall for the nice warm moments at the end. Definitely not Smith at his best.

#7

Clerks 2

I am a huge fan of the first installment so was even more disappointed by this crass lacklustre performance. This was missing the witty dialogue and sense of restraint from the 1st. Surely when Smith and uber producer Scott Mosier were watching the dailies the 'donkey' scene was obviously too far, even for Smith. I also found the bright visuals were at odds with the black and white original.

#6

Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back

J&SBSB has some great dialogue and excellent cameos (Will Ferrell, Ben Affleck & Matt Damon) but is too conscious of itself and doesn't try as hard as it should. This is much better than 7 through 9 but not quite up to the top 5.

#5

Mallrats

For a follow up script to phenomenon Clerks, made all the better by the fantastic debut of Jason Lee. A more capable supporting cast to match Lee would have made this one of the cult teen movies of the 90's. An honourable mention has to go to Michael Rooker who played his character pitch perfect! Ethan Suplee can be seen in a less than meaty role;)

#4

Dogma

I really dug the look and feel of Dogma. It's a very derisive topic handled mostly with care. A great young cast of some of the best up and comers accompanied by a pretty tight script makes for a very enjoyable flick. The poo monster seemed out of place with the tone of the movie but doesn't kill it.


#3
 

Jersey Girl
 
As seen by my top choice, I like the movies with a bit of heart and a story to say. There's something about Jersey Girl that strikes a chord with me for the heart it has even if it is a little too cheesy sometimes! An underrated performance by Affleck lifts this as the the angelic Liv Tyler. I particularly liked the relationships. Father and daughter, father and son & father and career. A quality cameo from Will Smith was a surprising and worthy addition. 



#2
 

Clerks
 
Although it is revered as a look what a first time director with no money or cast can do, I appreciate it for the funny and witty script is delivered by a cast of nobodies. Kevin was making a movie he wanted to see and didn't have a production company looking over his shoulder. Proves that you do not need a big budget to make 90 minutes of enjoyable film. 


#1

Chasing Amy

This is one of my favourite movies of all time for it's heart, dialogue and Jason Lee. There are some great little scenes here and although it is purely a static camera with people walking into and out of shot the script is so good as too rise above these limitations. Jason Lee and Ben Affleck are perfectly paired as the best mates who may have muddies how close their relationship is. Little nuances like the ice hockey game linked with the Affleck and Joey Lauren Adams argument is awesome. Many great quotes from this are still being bandied about. At least in my house! This is a must see movie for lovers of the relationship genre who wants some different fro the usual troupes handed out.


Overall an above average career with a couple of gems. Kevin Smith's strength is his eye for dialogue and interesting look relationships. His new movie coming out is 'Red State', a horror/slasher flick that looks at the moment to tick all of my boxes so I hoping for a top 4 finish. I hope it also shows Kevin Smith and his detractors that he can be diverse and doesn't need to pander to the lowest common denominator!

Until then hail to Amy!