The Hollywood Outsider – Film and Television Podcast | Reviews An award-winning film and television podcast for the fan in all of us
4. Ben Stiller
Oh, Ben. Remember when you actually acted? When you were one of the more creative and inventive actor-directors working today? What happened?
Ever since There’s Something About Mary and Meet the Parents, Stiller has only seemed to play the same guy…over…and over…and over again. Yet, this guy is supremely talented, both as a gifted comedian, actor AND director.
You may doubt this, and if you do seek out a small film called Permanent Midnight. Within that film you will see Ben Stiller – The Actor. Even in the recent Secret Life of Walter Mitty, you can see flashes of the actor fighting to come out. Unfortunately, he has come to rely too much on the mannerisms and nuances of his token ‘nervous guy’ shtick to completely break away.
He has played essentially the same character in every film since Mary, and audiences are starting to take note. What we need to see are less Night At the Museum’s, and more Walter Mitty’s. Take a few unguarded risks and re-establish yourself as the same style of actor/director that Ben Affleck has managed to do so successfully the last few years.
With a few box office misses now under his belt, there is a good chance that Stiller could finally resurface and take a few chances. We, the audience, have suffered long enough.