Dear Thursday: Totally Miscast – Monster’s Ball and Frankie & Johnny

Jan 08, 2009 10 Comments by Ernessa T. Carter

I just realized that it’s been a while since I’ve seen a movie with a complete miscast. Even my worst movie of the year, Seven Pounds, had spot-on casting. Rosario Dawson and Will Smith brought boatloads of charm to roles that would have been insufferable if played by other actors. And though I’ve never considered Brad Pitt a great actor, I thought he was perfectly cast in The Curious Case of Benjamin Button and I didn’t cringe once, not even once.

So QUESTION OF THE DAY: What do you think is the most miscast role of all time?

For me, it’s a tie between Halle Berry in Monster’s Ball and Michelle Pfeiffer in the movie version of Frankie & Johnny. Both roles call for, in my opinion, gritty women — who can at least play unattractive even if they’re not. Actresses like Edie Falco, Mercede Ruehl — these would have been good picks for the female lead in Frankie & Johnny. But Michelle Pfeiffer? A romantic story of this nature doesn’t work if the lead is across the board gorgeous.

Same goes for Halle Berry. I actually overheard a guy say, “I’d stop being a racist, too, if it meant I could get with Halle Berry.” But of course this is supposed to be a story about two people overcoming their bigger faults because they need each other — not because one is hot and/or way out of the other’s league. Plus, Halle Berry just didn’t look like a product of the South. I found it hard to believe that she truly ate Popeyes or that she was so skinny because she walked country roads whenever her car broke down — not because of a personal trainer and lots of Pilates.

I personally think both of these movies would have been vastly more interesting with less attractive and more seasoned actresses, and I personally would like to see a movie were two non-gorgeous people actually fall in love. I suppose I should put a remake of both of these movies on my producing wish list.

But what movies do you think have suffered because of bad casting? Let me know in the comments.

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*No top 5, Fierce and Nerdy

http://intensedebate.com/people/BabySmiling BabySmiling

Most recently, I thought Maggie Gyllenhaal was strangely cast in The Dark Knight. I thought she'd be fine ahead of time, but throughout the movie Bruce and Harvey constantly say how beautiful she is. Interesting and smart, fine, but gorgeous, no. It made me pine for Katie Holmes (not 2008 emaciated Katie, but the previous fresh-faced Katie).
http://intensedebate.com/people/BabySmiling BabySmiling

Most recently, I thought Maggie Gyllenhaal was strangely cast in The Dark Knight. I thought she'd be fine ahead of time, but throughout the movie Bruce and Harvey constantly say how beautiful she is. Interesting and smart, fine, but gorgeous, no. It made me pine for Katie Holmes (not 2008 emaciated Katie, but the previous fresh-faced Katie).
http://intensedebate.com/people/C_H C_H

I think this is a very common story in Hollywood. I also love the movies that make it part of the advertising that they uglied up the actress
http://intensedebate.com/people/C_H C_H

I think this is a very common story in Hollywood. I also love the movies that make it part of the advertising that they uglied up the actress
(Thought) Chuck

I agree with BabySmiling – Maggie Gyllenhaal was ENTIRELY miscast in THE DARK KNIGHT – under-utilized & over-hyped (per her onscreen love interests.) She didn't look like the love of Batman's life, she looked like a beagle going through menopause.

I disagree that Halle Berry was miscast in MONSTER'S BALL – in fact, I thought it was perfect casting. Is she "too beautiful" to play a down-and-out women struggling with her own limitations and personal tragedies? I don't think so. Absolutely her best performance. After CATWOMAN, that is. ;)

My vote for worst casting – Gary Oldman as the title character in BRAM STOKER'S DRACULA, second only to Keanu Reeves as Jonathan Harker in the same film. I couldn't tell who was more bloodless or lacked a pulse. Face it, both of them were "undead" in this movie (though I still loved the film itself.)
(Thought) Chuck

I agree with BabySmiling – Maggie Gyllenhaal was ENTIRELY miscast in THE DARK KNIGHT – under-utilized & over-hyped (per her onscreen love interests.) She didn't look like the love of Batman's life, she looked like a beagle going through menopause.

I disagree that Halle Berry was miscast in MONSTER'S BALL – in fact, I thought it was perfect casting. Is she "too beautiful" to play a down-and-out women struggling with her own limitations and personal tragedies? I don't think so. Absolutely her best performance. After CATWOMAN, that is. ;)

My vote for worst casting – Gary Oldman as the title character in BRAM STOKER'S DRACULA, second only to Keanu Reeves as Jonathan Harker in the same film. I couldn't tell who was more bloodless or lacked a pulse. Face it, both of them were "undead" in this movie (though I still loved the film itself.)
Redheaded Stepchild

i saw a totally miscast film recently: P.S. I LOVE YOU. hillary swank is supposed to be a 29 year-old in the movie, and it's sad to watch how the costume designers were desperately trying to make her look younger. headbands! short skirts!

also miscast: nicole kidman as diane arbus in FUR. i enjoyed the movie, but i saw it before i knew who diane arbus was. once i got more familar with the woman herself, it was totally outrageous to me that nicole kidman would be cast in that role. i even took a class with the casting director of the movie, who said outloud that nicole kidman should never have played the part, but the producers said it was her or the movie didn't get made.

also: didn't kathy bates play the female lead in FRANKIE & JOHNNY on broadway? i think i read that somewhere. THAT's good casting.
Redheaded Stepchild

i saw a totally miscast film recently: P.S. I LOVE YOU. hillary swank is supposed to be a 29 year-old in the movie, and it's sad to watch how the costume designers were desperately trying to make her look younger. headbands! short skirts!

also miscast: nicole kidman as diane arbus in FUR. i enjoyed the movie, but i saw it before i knew who diane arbus was. once i got more familar with the woman herself, it was totally outrageous to me that nicole kidman would be cast in that role. i even took a class with the casting director of the movie, who said outloud that nicole kidman should never have played the part, but the producers said it was her or the movie didn't get made.

also: didn't kathy bates play the female lead in FRANKIE & JOHNNY on broadway? i think i read that somewhere. THAT's good casting.
Redheaded Stepchild

incidentally, i couldn't stand MONSTER'S BALL and i thought halle berry's performance was awful.

i do not, however, begrudge her the oscar. receiving an oscar is a political game, so why not give it to her. if gwyneth paltrow can win for that claptrap SHAKESPEARE IN LOVE over the divine cate blanchett in ELIZABETH, than halle berry can win, too.
Redheaded Stepchild

incidentally, i couldn't stand MONSTER'S BALL and i thought halle berry's performance was awful.

i do not, however, begrudge her the oscar. receiving an oscar is a political game, so why not give it to her. if gwyneth paltrow can win for that claptrap SHAKESPEARE IN LOVE over the divine cate blanchett in ELIZABETH, than halle berry can win, too.

Dear Thursday: Totally Miscast – Monster’s Ball and Frankie & Johnny

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