The Best and Worst of Ralph Fiennes

“The Best and Worst of” series chronicles the career highlights and lowlights of an actor starring in one of the week's new theatrical releases. This week, I take a look at the filmography of “Holmes & Watson” star Ralph Fiennes.

Films starring Ralph Fiennes that I've seen:
Quiz Show
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
In Bruges
The Reader
The Hurt Locker
Clash of the Titans
Wrath of the Titans
Skyfall
The Grand Budapest Hotel
Spectre
Hail, Caesar!
Kubo and the Two Strings
The Lego Batman Movie

Best Performance: The Grand Budapest Hotel (2014)
Fiennes' turn as womanizing concierge named Gustave was responsible for me legitimately enjoying a Wes Anderson movie, which is a feat that previously seemed impossible. By bringing just the right amount of manic zaniness to the role, he is able to mine solid laughs and the occasional tender moment out of every absurd situation Anderson throws him into.

Worst Performance: Hail, Caesar! (2016)
On the other side of the quirky Fiennes coin comes his trash performance in this baffling misfire from the Cohen Brothers. His bit part as an overzealous movie director whose tasked with dealing with an inept young actor (Alden Ehrenreich) comes off as nothing but a cheap, charmless impersonation of Gustave from The Grand Budapest Hotel.  

Best Film: The Hurt Locker (2009)
Modern American war films have increasingly become more like political propaganda pieces justifying the United States post-9/11 military actions than stories depicting heroism or the perils of war. As a result of this unfortunate trend, I've come to appreciate grounded, no bullshit exercises like The Hurt Locker even more. Director Kathryn Bigelow portrays combat in a visceral, horrific fashion and unlike the aforementioned "WE'LL STICK A BOOT IN YOUR ASS IT'S THE AMERICAN WAY" movies, a strong script and nuanced performances from its primary cast (Jeremy Renner, Anthony Mackie) allows the soldiers on the frontlines to be more than just faceless cogs in a patriotic emotional manipulation machine.

Worst Film: The Reader (2008)
Outside of a decent performance from Kate Winslet that won her an Oscar, there's nothing redeeming about this shameless melodrama. Every attempt this increasingly soapy story makes to pull at the heartstrings is futile at best, and it was really hard for me to even consider rooting for a romantic relationship that initially started when the protagonists were 36 and 15 respectively.


Thank you for reading this week's edition of “The Best and Worst of”. The next victim of my praise and ire will be “Escape Room” star Tyler Labine.