MovieChat Forums > J. Edgar (2011) Discussion > Leo needs to break his habits..

Leo needs to break his habits..

posted 13 years ago by bs-2010
199 replies | jump to latest

It seems as though ever since the Departed Leo has been carrying along the same acting traits from character to character. I saw this trailer and he is doing the same squinty eyed, whispering line delivery that he did in the Departed, Inception, Shutter Island, and Body of Lies. He is doing the same serious eye-brow frown that he has done is his characters since the Departed. I like Leo especially in Gilbert Grape, the Aviator, and the Departed but it seems as though he has been doing the same thing since the Departed as far as how he portrays characters. Anyone else notice this?

[–] standrkm 12 years ago

That fool who plays rick on the walking dead does that crap constantly too lol

"the day I tried to live, I learned that I was alive"
-Soundgarden

[–] politicaldefiance 12 years ago

Yes, I agree. His acting shtick for the past decade or so has long outworn its welcome. It makes one long for the days of Leo back when he did roles in What's Eating Gilbert Grape, Catch Me If You Can and even Titanic, where he was more lively and not doing the same kind of bland and overly self-serious performance that he is known for lately. It's like he's been on autopilot.

We can only hope that Tarantino lightens him up in Django Unchained. The trailers look promising.

[–] WingsOfWax 12 years ago

DeCaprio has been in several character pieces the last 10 years, and while he is not a bad actor, he is mediocre at best. But he brings the box office results, so there you go. There are so many unknown actors out there who would be perfect for his roles, but people like what they know, and movie makers want to make money.

I have said it before: Ever since What's up, Gilbert Grape, there's been a little bit of Gilbert in his performances. Case in point, Blood Diamonds - the scene where he is shot and wounded. Seriously, he brought back the histrionics of Gilbert Grape. Not impressive.

[–] marlbororeds2 12 years ago

I completely agree...I NEVER forget that I'm watching Leo, and great actors make you forget you are watching the actor. J Edgar was very bordering on watching Mommie Dearest. Very comical and Clint Eastwood rarely makes errors in his films..but this one. Awful. I didn't believe him in Gilbert Grape...he was a caricature then as well. He was o.k. in The Departed (that awful attempt at a Boston accent..pet peeve notwithstanding) Good in Revolutionary Road..only because Kate Winslet is amazing. I don't get the Hollywood fascination with him..there are so many fine actors out there. Somehow he has the best directors of our time working with him. Haven't seen Django yet, but I'm sure it is still Leo with some bogus accent and overacting in that as well. I want to order some eggs with the Ham he is always portraying.

[–] DeanG22 12 years ago

I think you got your wish with Django. That was awesomely different.

[–] coco-su 12 years ago

Agreed.

[–] WarpedRecord 12 years ago

I think that's just the way he looks. I was more distracted by the old-age makeup, which didn't look real.

I'm far from a Leo DeCaprio fan, but I think he did a remarkable job in this role. This film is far from perfect, but it has strong performances by all involved. 8/10 stars from me.

[–] !!!deleted!!! (41153100) 12 years ago

I think he was different in The Departed and Blood Diamond.

[–] Giorgio_V 11 years ago

This is so funny: yesterday I've watched "Shutter island", and was telling my was exactly the same, ah ah!!, it looks as if the guy keeps playing the same character, over and over. The departed, Inception, Shutter Island. It is getting kind of boring, you know.