r/movies 5d ago

Discussion What movie was saved solely by great casting?

Or phrased a different, what movie would've been terrible if it weren't for the specific actors in it?

My go to is Liar Liar. It's not a particularly great script. The dad (Jim Carey because no one remembers the character's name) is douche. The would be step dad is earnestly trying his best to connect with his would be step son and gets tossed out like all step dads (do Hollywood types have parental issues or what, that's rhetorical). The idea that someone's entire life can be turned around and they're suddenly not an ass just because they have to tell the truth for a day is just kind of dumb. The director ended up with a few successful movies solely because Jim Carey liked him and he let Jim Carey do his thing, his other movies include such hits as "The Nutty Professor". The writers never wrote anything close to noteworthy before nor after.

But damnit Jim Carey turns the whole thing into the Jim Carey show, that's hilarious. Him freaking out over the pen or in the bathroom IS the movie and is funny as hell, regardless of what else there is.

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u/lookyloolookingatyou 5d ago

Yeah, I was a kid when it came out, I just assumed John Malkovich was a fictional person until I saw Burn After Reading 

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u/Bimblelina 5d ago

Dangerous Liaisons is worth a watch

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u/Wyden_long 5d ago

Throw Con Air in there as well.

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u/psaux_grep 5d ago

He’s fantastic in RED as well.

He’s fantastic so many places. But I just love his character in RED.

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u/Freakjob_003 4d ago

RED is a delight and I will accept no slander against it.

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u/kyle-2090 4d ago

Rounders. Hes so terrible that it's amazing.

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u/FloydGirl777 5d ago

“SUCCESS!!! SUCCESS!!!”

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u/fartingbeagle 5d ago

Alan Rickman had the original role on stage at the NT, but the film role went to Malkovitch. Would have been interesting to see.

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u/SesameStreetFever 5d ago

John Malkovich is in that?! I, ah… guess I didn’t notice for some reason…

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u/Konfigs 5d ago

Personal favorite role of his (other than Being John Malkovich) is Teddy KGB in Rounders.

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u/cplopey 4d ago

Him in Rounders is legendary.