MovieChat Forums > United 93 (2006) Discussion > Ben Sliney's performance

Ben Sliney's performance

posted 8 years ago by dsuggitt
3 replies | jump to latest

I remember when I first saw this film that I was really impressed by the acting of the man playing Ben Sliney the National Operations Manager. I wondered why I hadn't seen this actor before as he was in my mind a top notch actor. I was amazed to discover that he played himself in this movie. I guess it just goes to show that acting isn't necessarily learned. Some people just have a knack for it. That part could have been played by Deniro or any other mainstream actor but I don't think they would have been as good as Sliney was.

[–] mlballfan 8 years ago

I agree. Watching it for the first time right now and I came to IMDB to look him up as well.

[–] Phantasm01 8 years ago

Well, all he was acting out was his job really. Not that hard really, IMO. Though yes, he did a great job recreating that day.

[–] SaliceMcD 8 years ago

I respectfully disagree. I've been filmed at my job several times, as have several of my co-workers. Having a camera pointed at your face and knowing that what you say and how you say it is going to be "frozen," and seen by many - though, in our case, certainly a far lesser number of people than will see this movie - makes most people become very self-conscious and blank, act stiff, etc. It got a little easier over time to come across as natural (after a couple of takes!) but not a whole lot. This guy's a natural; could have a second career!