That Guy: Frank Langella
The Film Yap Presents ”That Guy” celebrates those character actors who are instantly recognizable as the glue that holds countless films together, but because they are not huge movie stars, remain largely anonymous by the general moviegoing community. Say their name and you’ll get a confused look; say “you know, that guy from 'XXXX' ” and you’ll get a smile and nod of approval.
Thanks to Film Yap reader Travis Bow, who created this great image for us! Check out Travis' other artwork at http://travisbow.carbonmade.com/!
NOTE: This "That Guy" column marks our first-ever "That Guy" image contest. The above image of this month's "That Guy," Frank Langella, is a still from one of his films, but has a series of "Easter-egg" images inserted in the photo that relates to some of Langella's other roles. The objective: all five Easter eggs; which movie they refer to; and the film our image was taken from. A few lucky winners who e-mail us at filmyap@gmail.com with all of these things will win a free Blu-ray or DVD of their choice, as well as another special prize, from The Film Yap Movie Ditch! Contest ends March 20 — get those guesses in!
Whether playing an intimidating, remorseless, self-serving politician, a bombastic villain or a fatherly boss, no one does it better than Frank Langella. More than just a "movie star," Langella also has a long list of television credits to his name, playing a diverse set of characters as Sherlock Holmes, Zorro and John Wilkes Booth (in voice form, at least).
Langella has been nominated for an Academy Award only once, for playing President Richard Nixon in 2009's "Frost/Nixon," but to fans of cinema, he's a mainstay, cementing the casts of films like 1994's "Dave," the controversial 1997 version of "Lolita," and 2005's "Good Night, and Good Luck."
Here are a few of Langella's more memorable roles:
Bob Alexander, "Dave" (1993)
It was Langella's turn as the President's sneering chief of staff that raised the bar for what otherwise could have been a routine Kevin Kline vehicle. Early on, Alexander was little more than a self-serving bureaucrat whose harebrained idea to replace the comatose president with an affable, almost Jimmy Stewart-esque doppelganger named Dave Kovic (Kline) seemed destined to fail. Of course, it did fail because not only did Dave prove to be a better president than his predecessor, he also interfered with Alexander's personal agenda. It was only then that Alexander let his true side shine through, and Langella's inner rage boiled to the surface.
Perry White, "Superman Returns"(2006)
The fatherly but devoted editor of the Daily Planet played a small but memorable role in Bryan Singer's adaptation of the Man of Steel, delivering some key lines and earning a hefty paycheck in a big-budget adaptation. He didn't get much to do in the film, but it would have been great to see Singer get another crack at Superman, if for no other reason than to give Langella more room to breathe in the character.
Skeletor, "Masters of the Universe" (1987)
Playing the ultimate villain in what was unfortunately one of the worst movies ever made, Langella still offered a performance worthy of the character in a film that wasn't so much. Langella chewed a little scenery behind a skull mask but did the evil wizard proud, even when the script foolishly moved much of the battle from Eternia to Earth. The movie was terrible, but Langella's performance was as good as ever.
Clare Quilty, "Lolita" (1997)
As Humbert's brother in lust for young Lolita (Dominque Swain), Langella is one of a few select actors who could be considered a match for Jeremy Irons, and he certainly is. Langella gives a great performance in this controversial film, capped off by his crazed, surreal pursuit of Humbert wearing only an open robe, certain daddy parts flapping in the breeze.