So last night, I finally got around to seeing Transformers, and it was pretty much everything I’d expected: Noisy, mindless, frantic, and ultimately quite enjoyable. Well, enjoyable with the exception of John Turturro’s awesomely awful performance as Agent Simmons. With his wild-eyed, smirking, "look how krrrr-ay-zeeee I am!" antics, it was as if Turturro (pictured, right, with Jon Voight) was performing in an altogether different movie — and not a very good one. His performance was so distracting, in fact, that I kept wishing director Michael Bay had used some of his special-effects budget to replace the actor with a walking, talking ham sandwich. At least that would’ve scored a chuckle or two, which is more than I can say for Turturro.
Anyhow, I’m wondering if anyone else out there thinks Turturro ought to be on the short-list for a Razzie nomination at year’s end? And on a broader note, what are some of the supporting performances you’ve found completely unbearable in movies you’ve otherwise enjoyed? Let’s build a special PopWatch Hall of Shame in the comments section below!
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You leave John Turturro alone.
Donald Sutherland — Buffy the Vampire Slayer. He sucked (pun intended).
Turturro might be bad in this movie (I haven’t seen it), but at least he’s still an actor who delivers in most of what he does. Look at the guy next to him in that picture. That’s Jon Voigt. He was an actor in the 70s. Coming Home, Deliverance, you remember, right? Then he died and now all he does is walk through cruddy Michael Bay hyperfests. THERE’S your worst supporting actor!
I thought pretty much every performance in that film sucked (besides Julie White as the mom), though Turturro was by far the most irritating. I couldn’t tell what he was going for and how it went so horribly, horribly wrong.
Tommy Lee Jones in Under Seige. I know he probably wasn’t a “supporting” actor per se but his character drives me nuts. I really like the movie itself but sometimes his way-out-there and crazy-like personality bugs me. Sort of like his Harvey Two-Face character in Batman Forever. Too talkative, too manic.
how bout Ryan Phillipe in… um… everything???
Ben Stiller in any movie that he doesn’t act like a normal guy (Meet the Parents, There’s Something About Mary, etc). When he shows up in a movie like Dodgeball and turns on his ‘zany’ or ‘manic’ personality, it’s time to tune out. By the way, Turturro’s really hamming it up in the ESPN mini-series “The Bronx is Burning”. It’s like a slugfest between him and Oliver Platt to see who can chew up more scenery.
I have to agree with Tom. It’s a tie this year between Jon Tuturro and Jon Voight. Midnight Cowboy,Deliverance, Conrack, Runaway Train?! What the h-e double hockey sticks happened to his career? I mean, Ok. Voight went from looking super hot to looking like Abe Vagoda, but he still can act provided he’s given decent role.
Adrien Grenier in The Devil Wears Prada. Ruined the entire movie for me.
John Turturro was one of the highlights of the film. I think everyone needs to go see for themselves. In a movie about alien robots that cannot be taken seriously he injected human life and humor. Most people that I have spoken to agree that his performance in the film was more than adequate and quite enjoyable.
Keanu Reeves in Much Ado About Nothing is the worst supporting performance I have ever seen. Until I think of another one later, that is.
Jilly, you’re walking on thin ice, girl! EVERYTHING about ‘Under Siege’ is exactly as it should be. Every performance – from Segal’s stoic Casey Ryback to lovable kitchen staffer Cueball – is flawless. That movie is the G.O.A.T.
Regarding the topic – Eugene Levy in ‘A Mighty Wind.’
Robin Williams in every single movie he’s ever been in. My blood pressure spikes just thinking about him.
I guess it was just you I enjoyed Turturro’s performance. You get the Razzie this time.
My goodness I was thinking the same thing about his performance. That I loved Transformers but John Turtutto brought the entire movie down.
I hate to be critical of someone so young, but Emma Watson as Hermione in Harry Potter tends to annoy me with all her heavy sighs and eye rolls. She was better in OOTP than any other of the HP movies, though!
Katie Holmes in Batman Begins
I could never say that I “enjoyed” Transformers, but I think you’re right about this one Slezak. I do feel that the movie was going for a slapsticky feel for the most part (eg. the breakdancing Jazz, the “hide the giant robots” scene etc.) and therefore you would think that Turturro’s performance would fit right in, but somehow he ended up being just grating. And I love Turturro in nearly everything he’s been in, even in his supporting roles with Sandler etc. It’s heartbreaking when someone as great as Turturro fails, especially in one of the most popular movies of the year. Everyone, do yourselves a favor and go see Miller’s Crossing followed by Quiz Show right now. Clean your palates.
Julia Stiles in the Bourne films. She’s boring, wooden, and completely unbelievable in the role.
I didn’t get Turturo’s performance either. I thought Michael Bay lost a bet or something and had to cast him for the role.
I agree with Sean, Adrien Grenier was terrible in The Devil Wears Prada. It was a terribly smug performance.
Bill Paxton in “Aliens.” I simply can’t sit through the film because of him.
I couldn’t agree more with you about Tutturro in Transformers except that I must add Anthony Anderson to that. But then, I think Anthony Anderson should win a lifetime Worst Supporting Actor award. Hell, why don’t we include all the human actors in that movie (although I didn’t hate Shia LeBeouf)? There were far too many and all of them should have taken a backseat to the Transformers themselves because, well, the movie is named after them, but I think Michael Bay may have been thinking he was directing Pearl Harbor 2 while making this movie.
And the Razzie for Worst Supporting Actor goes to…….Dane Cook for Mr.Brooks!! (applause, applause, cheer, followed by a tremendously unfunny acceptance speech.
JONATHAN LIPNICKI. i hate that kid. he’s completly unbearable in jerry maguire. over acting and utterly annoying, the nails-on-a-chalkboard way. now his lil brother is in movies. STOP THE INSANITY!!
Billy Zane in Titanic – a real moustache-twirling villian, but without the moustache. Jay Barouchel in Million Dollar Baby (thought I like in in everything else he’s done). Anthony Hopkins in Legends of the Fall.
Kate Bosworth in Superman Returns. Not to mention Eva Mendes is EVERYTHING she does. I have no idea why anyone thinks she’s a good actress. She’s horrible!
I can’t blame Turturro for that role, it was written by Michael Bay. You try not sounding like a complete tool while reading his dialogue.
Agree with LisaMama partly – Emma Watson was awesome in the first 3 Harry Potters, then overacted in GoF, and then was much better in OotP.
January Jones in “We Are Marshall.” She completely sucked the emotion out of every scene she was in.