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5 subdued performances: great acting doesn’t have to be “big”

MVW Encyclopedia
6 min readApr 11, 2022

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All hail the actors who don’t have to scream like madmen to get themselves noticed and empathized with!

Credit: Lionsgate / Roadside Attractions / Benaroya Pictures

Having lost a little faith in the art form after that heinous incident at the Oscars, I decided to make myself feel better with gratefulness.

I decided to remember great actors through their great performances. It’s a look back to the past where I have been marveled by the sheer talent some people have when displaying emotion and vulnerability in front of a camera.

In the middle of said venture to preserve my sanity and trust in the art form; I also remembered something quite curious.

When it comes to acting, people instantly think that “bigger is better”.

What I mean by this is simple. People think characters with either a visible pathology, some serious psychological issue, or a truly “bigger than life” problem; are the only ones deemed for greatness. That great acting always comes in a highly explosive package.

I am here to prove this is not the case. Great acting, for me, is an exercise in listening.

I tend not believe the actor who is anxiously waiting to say their line. Or the one who doesn’t take into account the nuances of each performance unfolding on screen. If a performer

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MVW Encyclopedia
MVW Encyclopedia

Written by MVW Encyclopedia

Movies. Video Games. Watches. If you are passionate about any of these, I guarantee I’ll piss you off at least once.

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