Top 10 Movies That Feature Both Great and Bad Performances

“Wall Street” was one of the 1980s’ most critically successful films and encouraged a generation to become stockbrokers. It’s also the only film to have won both an Oscar and a Razzie. Michael Douglas took home the Academy Award for Best Actor thanks to his slick, at times funny,and at times predatory portrayal of the greedy Gordon Gekko. The same could not be said of Daryl Hannah’s portrayal of Charlie Sheen’s girlfriend. Hannah portrayed a money-hungry character that lived by completely opposing principles to her real-life beliefs. As a result, critics panned Hannah’s performance and she took home the Razzie for Worst Supporting Actress.

Tom Hooper took a risky approach when he decided to have his actors and actresses sing live while filming “Les Misérables,” as opposed to dubbing them in later as voice-over. For the most part, this move paid off. Anne Hathaway’s performance in particular was critically acclaimed and helped her win the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress, while Hugh Jackman, Eddie Redmayne, and Samantha Barks were all praised as well. Russell Crowe’s performance, however, was not as well received. Critics focused specifically on Crowe’s poor singing, and the actor himself admitted that he could’ve performed his songs better.

Martin Scorsese’s films are generally renowned for their strong acting, and “Gangs of New York” is no different. Daniel Day-Lewis nails it as Bill the Butcher and he was even nominated for the Academy Award for Best Actor. While his performance is by far the most memorable, Leonardo DiCaprio holds his own as Amsterdam Vallon as well. For some unknown reason, however, Scorsese cast Cameron Diaz as the female lead…and Diaz simply does not deliver. Not only does she struggle with her Irish accent, but her attempt to convince us that she’s a street-smart thief falls flat.

The first film in Christopher Nolan’s acclaimed Batman trilogy has no shortage of compelling performances. Michael Caine, Gary Oldman, and Morgan Freeman are terrific as assistants to Christian Bale’s Batman, while Liam Neeson and Cillian Murphy excel in their villainous roles. Even Bale is solid as Bruce Wayne – Batman voice notwithstanding. The one thing the film lacks, however, is a credible love interest. Rachel is a boring character, and Katie Holmes’ lackluster delivery only makes things worse. This could’ve been a strong subplot, but Bale and Holmes’ absent chemistry makes their romance largely forgettable. Fortunately, Maggie Gyllenhaal’s reading in the follow-up was better suited to the story.

There are many reasons this sci-fi flick was a disaster, particularly the confusing twist ending that even the actors didn’t understand. That fact may not be hard to believe, though, considering Mark Wahlberg looks confused throughout the entire film and spends the majority of the movie with a dumbfounded look on his face. Estella Warren and Charlton Heston are also awful, and both earned Razzies for their troubles. One of the film’s few bright spots, however, is Tim Roth as General Thade, the main villain and military commander of the apes, and his fear-provoking, commanding presence. Still, he probably should have taken the role of Severus Snape instead, which he turned down to play the chimpanzee.

“X-Men: First Class” was a huge financial and critical success, thanks in large part to the performances and bromance of Michael Fassbender and James McAvoy. Critics praised the pair’s strong chemistry and suave demeanors. Jennifer Lawrence also holds her own as the shape-shifting Mystique, giving her character a vulnerability that was lacking in the previous films. Not everyone was perfect, however. Critics and fans alike criticized January Jones’ performance as Emma Frost as lacking personality, and she wasn’t asked to return for the sequel. Jones may look the part, but that’s about the only thing she gets right about the character.

“Episode III” is easily the best of the Star Wars prequels, although that isn’t saying much. While many blame him entirely, this was not completely the fault of Hayden Christensen, however, whose performance was once again criticized as whiny and juvenile, and resulted in him earning a second Razzie. Natalie Portman isn’t much better, but she wasn’t exactly allowed a fair chance with the dreadful dialogue she was given. Ewan McGregor continued to shine as Obi-Wan Kenobi, however, and Ian McDiarmid was excellent as the manipulative Darth Sidious, who transitions the Galactic Republic into the Evil Empire and ultimately corrupts Anakin Skywalker.

Although Truman Capote hated her in the lead role, Audrey Hepburn’s performance as Holly Golightly is easily the most memorable of her career, at once ditzy, charming and glamorous, setting the stage for many of the roles she would play through the 1960s. As a result, she earned an Academy Award nomination for Best Actress, and her rendition of “Moon River” helped it earn the Oscar for Best Original Song. The nostalgia around this film has caused some people to forget about Mickey Rooney’s controversial portrayal of Mr. Yunioshi, though. Rooney’s performance is downright offensive and makes certain scenes uncomfortable to watch. Rooney is admittedly heartbroken over the criticism he has received and wishes he never had done it.

Keanu Reeves is no stranger to being singled out as one of the poorest of performers in productions while others around him succeed, as his work in “Much Ado About Nothing” pales in comparison to several others in the film. However, he’s been criticized as downright dreadful in “Bram Stoker’s Dracula.” His accent is universally regarded as horrible and other actors in the film reportedly described Reeves as being “out of his depth.” Gary Oldman was one of these frustrated actors, which isn’t surprising considering how excellent he is as the titular character. Unfortunately, this film will forever be remembered for Reeves’ awful performance.

Before we unveil our number one pick, here are a few honorable mentions:
- Tobey Maguire & Kirsten Dunst
“Spider-Man” (2002)
- Charlize Theron & Kristen Stewart
“Snow White and the Huntsman” (2012)

While good acting can’t really save bad films, bad acting can definitely ruin good films. Although “The Godfather Part III” pales in comparison to the first two movies in the trilogy, it isn’t terrible. But Sofia Coppola is. Though he denies this, many asserted that the young Coppola was given the role mainly because she is the daughter of Francis Ford Coppola, the film’s director. Whether or not that is true, she undeniably gives a terribly wooden performance. Al Pacino and Andy Garcia are their usual excellent selves, but Coppola practically brings down the whole film with her terrible acting and as such, is often deemed responsible for the film’s negative perception.

Do you agree with our list? What movie do you think features both great and bad performances? For more great Top 10s published daily, be sure to subscribe to WatchMojo.com.