In a way I get what you mean and I agree with you, but, in an other way you just contradicted yourself, because you kind of stated partly why he's so underrated.
I have said this many times. American History X is one of the most important and impactful movies of its generation. Where he had to go mentally to do what he did in that role. Such a powerful performance
I don't think Edward knows how much us Marvel fans love him for his take on The Incredible Hulk. I thought as a kid he was the best. I love all of the Hulks but Edward's is my absolute favorite.
Oh he knows the social media blew up when he left the hulk to a degree that Ruffalo had to make a statement saying he had talked to Edward about it and got his blessing to do it.. I was a long time Norton fan since the 90s I was DYING to see him in the avengers.. As much as Ruffalo killed it I still wish Norton would have done the first avengers movie at least
Norton’s Hulk is incomparable, and it doesn’t help that ruffalos Hulk is just cookie cutter and boring. I wish we lived in the alternate timeline where he never left the role
American History X is a masterpiece, & Norton’s performance is one of the best I’ve ever seen to date. The character development he created was beautiful
If I had to pick a sad movie, it'd be American History X. The theme and story behind that movie is extremely powerful, but at the same time so dark and tragic. The ending left me completely speechless.
@v- r-m Go on, please. Do you think it would have made a better short film? I've wondered before if you edited it down to like an hour if it'd be the best short film ever.
@Alexander Supertramp no no, some peoples' voices, actors or otherwise are more distinctive and recognizable than others. Ed Norton is one of those actors whose voice is especially iconic or at least memorable or recognizable. Same thing with say Tom hanks or Christopher walken or Morgan Freeman . As opposed to I dunno jeremy Renner or even Harrison Ford or will Smith or something, their voices just aren't quite as distinctive and are more "generic" or regular sounding, you probably wouldn't recognize them with just hearing the voice as easily or as fast.
@@johntaylorson7769 its a fantastic film, what happened behind the scenes is barely even noteworthy when comparing to other movies. Most great films were absolute wrecks behind the scenes
@@reservoirfrogs2177 Each to their own: I appreciate it's a very well liked film. I was maybe being unduly harsh when I said it was poor, but I always got the impression it could have been so much better, given the talent- acting and script- involved. I just think it's directed with a sledgehammer approach and at times super melodramatic, when a bit of subtlety would have actually given it more impact. I seem to remember Norton took over the editing and it makes me wonder if the original vision would have been better. But that's just my two cents.
@@johntaylorson7769 I totally get what you're saying it's really really dramatic but I think that's something good. Most stories like this are told realistically.
Robin never could do a normal interview. Everyone was of him joking and acting like he just drank 10 Red Bull’s. Not sure how he ever calmed himself for goodwill hunting lol
@Michael Valensi I don't hate everything modern, i appreciate a lot of modern stuff. That's just my opinion so I'm not wrong, you think something else and that is perfectly fine
@@glenndrexler1677 I think he didn't care. He always went all out and was so (or too) involved in the re-writing, it pissed them off so the Hollywood, particularly Marvel, ditches him. IF he did it for what you think, believe me he wouldn't do it.
He often plays characters with multiple personalities, real or not. Like The Score, a character playing a character. American History X is like two characters. Fight Club he changes so much he doesn't resemble who he began as.
I always like to imagine Norton in that three-way dialogue with Chris Evens & Robert Downey Jr in Avengers, instead of Ruffalo. Ruffalo was boring to watch as Bruce Banner. Norton actually makes the audience empathize with character Bruce Banner.
Similar to American History X he was clashing with the Director and/or screenwriter on the 2008 Hulk. I think the same thing would have happened with creative control
I'll give you Ed Norton but Adrien Brody??? The dude had a great performance in The Pianist but he's had a crap-ton of bad ones (including laugh-out-loud ones like Predators, Air Strike, American Heist, etc etc). I compare him to Nic Cage: a couple truly standout performances but a lot of REALLY bad ones. I wouldn't exactly consider him "underrated."
The illusionist its like a bad copy of the prestige, also i don't think Edward did that much of an iconic character like in American History X for example.
Yeah the Oscar went to Roberto Begnini for Life is Beautiful. Good film, nice performance, but not as powerful as Edward Norton’s performance. It should’ve gone to Edward that year without a doubt. And in hindsight his performance is now considered iconic over all the other nominees.
You will not find a better performance than American history x. It's one of the most incredible roles ever played. It's like DeNiro in the deer hunter it just can't be replicated by anyone else
I think that’s the problem with intellectuals. They think too highly of themselves. Quoting Shakespeare doesn’t make one a deep thinker, just an erudite person, which is not synonymous with intelligent. I saw the interview with Jake Gyllenhaal and he sounded way humbler, warmer and more intelligent than this.
@@pansepot1490 Some ppl have more depth than others. I know plenty that just touch the surface of things i.e are pretty shallow. It has to do with ones personality and its something I believe that we are born with. If depth makes one an intellectual is a different story.
@@yokingdom9936 I didn't. Fight Club revolves around breaking rules implemented by a society that saught to control and manipulate. The rules are therefore obsolete as the story would have it.
Telling someone to not talk about something is talking about it so when someone says don’t talk about it after someone else says don’t talk about then continues to talk about it...
I loved him in the Grand Budapest Hotel. But my absolute fav film of his is the illusionist. He mesmerized me and made me believe in magic. He should have won an oscar for American History X. He was brilliant in it.
I gained a whole new level of respect and admiration for Edward Norton after watching this. Just the way he takes acting to such a deep level is mind blowing to me
I wonder if this “underrated” talk is because he’s not overexposed like a lot of actors these days who take project after project, but instead chooses his roles wisely. Edward Norton is an amazing actor who gets a lot of praise for the roles he’s done. Even the ones he never wanted to do (Italian Job), lol! I guess people (especially these days) think he’s underrated because the roles he’s in aren’t promoted like blockbusters. As much as I love Mark Ruffalo, I would’ve loved to have seen Edward Norton continue as Bruce Banner and see his chemistry with the other actors in the MCU.
American History X was such a brave film to make even in the 90’s. I doubt it would get made today as it pushes far too many buttons. Even though it’s an extremely thoughtful movie, it’s also extremely powerful. Simply one of the best films of the 90’s that doesn’t quite get it’s due today. Whenever people are throwing favourite movies around in conversation I always bring up American History X and implore people to watch it.
yeah it's well made, but it's one of those films that I'm glad I saw, but I NEVER want to watch it again. Hard (for me at least) to include that in my favorites. I don't think I know anyone who "likes" that film, in spite of how well done it is.
Same. Every time I tell people hes my favorite actor they are surprised by it. I always explain watch all of the roles he had played. He plays such different roles. And nails every single one. Most actors get type cast in a certain style of roles, but hes has played completely different characters and everyone of them is so good that it actually makes me believe that is how he really is. I'm constantly having to remind myself hes just playing a role. That's how you know an actor is good at what they do, when they can make you believe it.
I think that he likes a quiet life. If he was promoted differently, and if he wasn't out of the limelight for long periods of time in between projects, I think he would be talked about a lot more.
THIS is how a character breakdown should be done! Humbly says his memory is evasive, gives a deep glimpse into characters essence. Enjoyed every second. What an ACTOR!
His career in the 90s started so brilliantly with American History X, Fight Club etc. I loved him, it's a shame he didn't get/pick as great roles in the last 15 years.
Edward Norton, Cillian Murphy, Sarah Paulson, Andy Serkis, Christian Bale, and Martin Freeman are the interesting ones for me to listen to, they're just so eloquent and their love for what they do can be felt through the screen.
Norton is a three time Oscar nominee and a Golden Globe winner (which he won at the age of 18). Also the list of his awards and nominations takes up a whole separate article on Wiki. How is that underappriciated?
was just thinking the other day how weird it was that GQ hadn't done an iconic characters with him! god love this man, one of the best actors of our time. phenomenal. deserves more recognition among the academy
Edward Norton is definitely in the top 10 of the best actors of all time. I can't think of many other actors who have been in so many great movies who also almost always steals the show, not due to flashiness but due to raw acting skill. He is an actor who truly makes me forget the actor and see only the character.
Even his less famous roles are still a masterpiece. 25th hour, The score , the painted veil, bird man,the illusionist,... . He is definitely among the top 10 actors of our time. And top 50 of all time. Fck Oscar.these days who cares about Oscar?!
I love his approach on acting in general and the respect he has for others players in the industry. He seems very knowledgeable and intelligent. Love him. Would love to see him in more movies to come!
This is one of the supreme "Iconic Characters" episodes. Norton is so excessively intelligent, it's just riveting to listen to him describe his career in such a direct, pointed way. One of the greatest actors of his generation speaking on some of the most defining movies of the last three decades. This is a can't lose, can't miss episode. And after hearing him talk about his casting process, I CANNOT WAIT to see Motherless Brooklyn.
@By Way Of Deception Where? You can see in every scene in which he is in that he clearly will be rather anywehere else. He have facial expresssion as Kristen Stewart, not care if he is hitting on girl, or if someone hit him in face. When I first saw the movie I was suprprised what it has to express. Just later I have found out that he was doing it against his will :)
@@rossl5908 Norton's Will Graham gave the impression that he was disinterested in his job, and his relationship with Lecter lacked the malice it had in the book, Manhunter, and the Hannibal show. It's not Ed's fault though, of course.
@@Criterion-c1x Probably because Norton didn't really want to do the film. He only did it because of some issue in his contract for doing another film with the studio.
Edward Norton is a Legend. He's such an underrated actor, but has been in some of the most interesting and beloved movies of all time. My personal Favorite: Death To Smoochy
True. I think they’re saying that because to them he doesn’t seem like a big star like a Tom Cruise. And that he hasn’t been in very many popular films lately until this Motherless Brooklyn which is pushing him back into the limelight again. This is his first headlining role in a long time. The last one was Stone in 2010 with Robert DeNiro which wasn’t very popular. He’s been in many supporting roles in other films since but not top billing on the marquee.
