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Post by pacinoyes on Jan 15, 2020 11:01:51 GMT
Another of those ones you'd figure we would have done but when I look it up nope.........  These are an insanely close pair - and I always talk about when comparing actors you have a series of boxes they have to check off - well these two guys check off a bunch: Hugely popular stars for a long time Tight and major filmography Exceptionally likable where people feel genuinely close to each actor Lots of career awards love - especially Oscars (8 nods 2 wins for Lemmon/6 nods 2 wins for Hanks) Both with very limited but impressive stage work also (Lemmon a bit more), Lemmon branched very successfully into prestige TV - he has an argument as US GOAT across TV/Stage/Film - Hanks started in TV and has been memorable in some guest spots and SNL etc. Both maybe would rank very high - maybe 1-2 in range across comedy and drama. In fact - many people, I'm willing to bet stephen may agree - rank them 1-2 Americans all-time period by a certain definition at least - ie range of roles that you recognize as "real people" (ie the less exotic roles, and not the repeated niche roles of those who we usually rank GOAT on here). In our most recent - GOAT poll - Lemmon came in at 10, Hanks was tied for 20. Go!  |
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Post by JangoB on Jan 15, 2020 11:27:09 GMT
I'm with Hanks here. Lemmon is wonderful and a total legend for sure but just for me personally his performances occasionally tend to go a tad overboard with the earnestness, like he's had too much coffee and now the energy is just flowing out of him and cannot be stopped. I'm not talking about all performances of course, it's been an occasional experience for me with him. Hanks, on the contrary, never goes too far and is actually quite brilliant at sharp subtle humor and quieter yet powerful emotions.
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Post by urbanpatrician on Jan 15, 2020 12:27:57 GMT
I gotta go with Hanks too. More varied, and less the same aw-shucks tendencies. A great majority of Lemmons are not that interesting golf-buddy comedy stuff (maybe a little worn out through time) vs I at least enjoy to some mild or varying degrees half of Hanks stuff.
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Post by TerryMontana on Jan 15, 2020 12:45:49 GMT
I'll go with Lemmon, who imo was a legendary actor. Of course I love Hanks and he's not far behind.
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Post by jimmalone on Jan 15, 2020 12:47:36 GMT
Now that's a very good comparison. Hanks certainly is the most comparable guy to Jack Lemmon.
Both could handle comedy with the same ease as drama. Yeah, they maybe would rank indeed #1 and #2 on my list regarding this balance.
Both could play that nice guy from next door on a different level to anybody else (maybe because they were/are that likeable in person actually).
When I made a list of my Top 100 actors a few years ago I had Hanks at #7 and Lemmon at #14 as I just looked it up. And it probably didn't change too much since, maybe it's come a bit closer. I guess despite his versatility I see rather a limit for Lemmon at some point than for Hanks. I have a hard time imagining Jack in a role like Michael Sullivan in Road to Perdition for example.
Also in terms of absolute elite performances, when I compare what I'd call their best performance each and second best and third best, I'd give the edge to Tom Hanks. Therefore I'd say that Lemmon, of whom I still have more left to see than from Hanks also, is the more consistent one.
But yeah, as you can see from a few lines above I give the edge to Hanks.
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Post by pacinoyes on Jan 16, 2020 16:53:53 GMT
1 bump.........interesting poll results Lemmon rebounded significantly......... so far at least..........
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Post by wallsofjericho on Jan 16, 2020 21:18:19 GMT
This is a great comparison and actually a lot harder than I thought it would be. I do lean towards Lemmon a little more just because I think he has the stronger performances overall.
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Post by Martin Stett on Jan 16, 2020 21:24:21 GMT
Jimmalone just made me envision Lemmon in Road to Perdition and I love it. Lemmon in Big. Lemmon in Cast Away. Lemmon in Captain Phillips? (Maybe not.) Lemmon in Philadelphia. Lemmon in Forrest Gump? (Well, I can't see anyone doing very well in that role tbqh.) Haven't seen Beautiful Day, but Lemmon as Mr. Rogers would be interesting casting.
I understand where Jango is coming from on Lemmon being too jittery and TOO earnest, like he wants you to know just how likable he is. Hasn't bothered me, but I see the complaint.
Even in Lemmon's more toned down performances, he always has a crackling fire ready to explode (Missing, The China Syndrome, Short Cuts).
Hanks is much more... reserved? I'm very bad at explaining how I feel about actors (I find them to be one of the least interesting aspects of film), but Hanks has a good guy, likable everyman persona, but couldn't show the torture of Lemmon in Short Cuts or the anger and fear driving him in The China Syndrome or Missing or Days of Wine and Roses. I honestly can't think of a single "great" Hanks performance, one that riveted me the way Lemmon can do fairly effortlessly.
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Post by quetee on Jan 17, 2020 0:08:14 GMT
I like both but i prefer jack. I laugh every single time i see that one scene in some like it hot...the one where he announces his engagement.
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Post by cheesecake on Jan 17, 2020 0:21:35 GMT
Great comparison! So versatile and charismatic. I gotta give the edge to Lemmon though, he's my favorite actor.
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