MovieChat Forums > City Slickers (1991) Discussion > Bruno Kirby shoulda got Best Supporting.

Bruno Kirby shoulda got Best Supporting.

posted 16 years ago by diddymuck
4 replies | jump to latest

As much as I love and regard Jack Palance, BK's crushing "best day" story, as well as his all-round presence in the film, was worthy of any number of Oscars; most appropriately, Best Supporting Actor.

[–] reidy_81 16 years ago

Really? It's been a while since I saw it but I remember thinking that part was really hammy, kinda like he was trying to outdo everyone with how grim his best day was, especially the smug way he rode off to probably hide his feelings whilest probably hoping someone would give him a hug.

He's in Sleepers right? As the father of one of the kids I think. I thought he was pretty scary in that when shouting about doing time.

[–] BigWhiskers 16 years ago

your kidding right.
bruno kirby for supporting actor? an average actor at best.
how can you compare him to palance who was a living legend.

[–] kylopod 16 years ago

When I first heard that Jon Lovitz was replacing Kirby in the sequel, I said, "Why are they replacing a real actor with Lovitz?"

It's funny I had that reaction, because I had never thought about Kirby's acting before. He was one of these actors who was so competent in a basic, dependable way that I barely noticed him. That's an often overlooked talent--to seem so natural and unforced you actually blend into the background.

I also liked his camaraderie with Billy Crystal. There was an underlying warmth to his character, and his relationship with Crystal. I didn't feel the same bond with Daniel Stern, an actor who has always struck me as a bit odd and off-putting.

(I should add, as an aside, that I wasn't trying to insult Lovitz, a reasonably talented comedian. Sketch comedy and movie acting are different types of talents, neither one better or worse than the other, although there are a few actors who have mastered both. Lovitz just isn't one of them.)

[–] Oak Owl 16 years ago

Absolutely! Bruno Kirby was one of the best at subtlety and warmth. And, as one of the other respondents said, that kind of gentle comedy - not slapstick, not "look at me", but making the story come alive and making us forget that someone is an "actor."