MovieChat Forums > Finding Forrester (2001) Discussion > best first performances in history

best first performances in history

posted 14 years ago by dannomack
26 replies | jump to latest

I can't believe this was Rob Brown's first acting performance, and that he had only wanted to be an extra prior to this. What are some of the best first performances in movie history?

[–] Dark_Sithlord 14 years ago

Look no farther than Brown's co-star in Finding Forrester: Anna Paquin. She won an Oscar for Best Supporting Actress in her very first acting role in The Piano. It isn't the greatest debut in movie history, but it was the first one to pop into my head.

[–] jpmonette 9 years ago

I love how you used the word farther rather than further ;)

[–] Dark_Sithlord 9 years ago

HahA! Thanks. It was a bit of a nod to that particular scene.😉

[–] bairdathome 9 years ago

I always like to see the bad guy get his due and the good guy get his revenge. They did not let Jamal get revenge on the know it all Professor. I was disappointed there.

[–] DickieMcGeezaks (6) 5 years ago

The entire scene with William Forrester going to campus and reading Jamal's words was all about Crawford getting his ass handed to him in the end by Jamal

[–] Masked_Jackal 14 years ago

I'd say Edward Norton - Primal Fear.

NOBODY expects the Spanish Inquisition!

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[–] ColdestWinter 14 years ago

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[–] s_bumpus 13 years ago

Keisha Castle-Hughes who starred in Whale Rider had no experience or training and she did an amazing job. She was even nominated for a Best Actress Academy Award.

Tatum O'Neal was amazing in Paper Moon. She had no acting experience, but of course her father Ryan O'Neal was an actor. She won Best Supporting Actress for her role as Addie in the movie at 10 years old.

Also, Everyln Sampi did a good job in her first time acting in Rabbit-Proof Fence. Very good movie btw...

[–] mark-1589 12 years ago

I won't claim they are the "best ever", but I think the discussion should include Harold Russell, a WWII veteran who, in The Best Years of our Lives, played a WWII veteran who had lost both hands. Also I would include the two children who played Jem and Scout in To Kill a Mockingbird.

[–] eyebrowmorroco 12 years ago

Really? I thought he was average to poor.

[–] IsleOfDogs 12 years ago

Agreed.

His performance was very insipid. For a kid who loved basketball and literature he sure did look bored with the whole thing. His face was a complete blank canvas.

In fact, I thought Brown, Connery and Paquin were all lacklustre in this (and I say that as a big fan of Connery and Paquin). The only character who generated any interest or reaction for me was that of F.Murray Abraham.

[–] TamPalm 11 years ago

Wow. I haven't disagreed with an opinion as much as yours in a very long time.

"If it doesn't make sense, it's not true." -- Judge Judy