Is Ryan Phillippe (pictured, left) incapable of emoting, or does he just choose roles like Eric O’Neill, the spy-in-training charged with bringing down the worst traitor in US history, double agent Robert Hanssen (Chris Cooper, right), that require him not to? Being one of the few people who saw the film Playing by Heart, I’m willing to give him the benefit of the doubt.
Regardless of the answer, most critics agree that his inaccessibility serves him well here. OhmyNews‘ Brian Orndorf offers a nice backhanded compliment: "Phillippe’s inherent stillborn emotional range finds a home in Eric’s bewilderment and continuous professional perspiration, and he makes a strong center of conscience for the picture, even when Cooper acts circles around him." As does the Chicago Tribune‘s Michael Phillips: "The verdict on Phillippe, lately seen on screen in Flags of Our Fathers, is still out; half the time in Breach, his opaque, untrustworthy quality works for the role and the film. The other half of the time you’re too aware of the calculated, studied neutrality."
Praise for Cooper’s performance, meanwhile, is extremely solid. Andcolorful. Phillips goes the poetic route, saying, "His eyes are two ofthe most interesting in contemporary film. Owing to both biology anddramatic training, Cooper — a modern-day knight of the woefulcountenance… can shoot a fellow actor a look that suggests two thingsat once. One is the look of the hunter, someone sniffing out a lie. Theother is the look of the hunted, someone afraid of being found out."Just as flowery is the Austin Chronicle‘sJosh Rosenblatt, who asks, "Is there an actor working today who looksmore spent than Chris Cooper? With his rumpled demeanor and those giantbags under his eyes, the man looks perpetually tired. Tired of his lotin life, tired of all those slings and arrows, but most of all, tiredof knowing he’s smarter than everyone else in the room." Others manageto keep the lovefest short and sweet: Montreal Film Journal‘sKevin N. Laforest says, "Cooper is amazing as always: amusingly grumpy,increasingly creepy and, ultimately, oddly affecting," while the Naperville Sun‘s Josh Larsen sums him up as "eerie and oily."
I’m not sure why I find this statement from The Hollywood Reporter‘s Kirk Honeycutt a bit offensive, but I do: "With this solid cast, Breachshould appeal strongly to male adults and possibly beyond if givenstrong marketing that emphasizes the true nature of these crimes andbetrayals." I guess adult women can’t be bothered to follow a talkythriller?
I, too, was one of the handful of people that saw Playing by Heart. I agree that Phillipe tries to play all of his emotions on the inside, but there are a few instances when he can be seen showing genuine emotion: “Cruel Intentions,” “54,” and “Crash,” to name a few. He’s no Leo, but he doesn’t suck.
From the previews, it looks like Chris Cooper is playing the same part from the Bourne Identity. No fault there, as that was a great film. But, Breach comes out in February. Always cause for alarm.
Playing By Heart is probably one of my favorite movies of all time! Nice call out, Mandi.
Just saw Flags of Our Fathers on DVD and my hubby and I thought Ryan was TOTALLY miscast, no warmth to the guy, just one expression all the time (of boredom) and a monotone voice. Talk about competely opposite to his super-perky ex-wife Reece Witherspoon! He’s so BLAH in everything he does I find.
He’s no Leo for sure and he DOES suck as an actor.
I saw Playing By Heart. I liked it. And, guilty pleasure, I loved Cruel Intentions.
I saw Playing By Heart. I liked it. And, guilty pleasure, I loved Cruel Intentions.
I saw Breach last night at a preview showing and the story is flat. The acting is stock TV, except for Chris Cooper. His acts with his eyes which is very cool. Ryan was ‘serviceable’, he’s a good looking guy, probably better looking in person. But the movie is nothing to shout about.
Playing By Heart is a great movie! (I actually was in L.A. when I saw it … at the Sunset 5). Ha: “I wouldn’t be caught dead on the Madonna level!”
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