R.I.P. to the legendary two-time Academy Award winning actor Gene Hackman along with his wife Betsy and his dog. He was 95 years old and leaves behind a one-of-a-kind cinematic legacy. Of course we all remember him for his tough as nails intensity in "The French Connection" films, stern but kind hearted coach in "Hoosiers" and the evil sheriff "Little Bill" Daggett in "Unforgiven". Below are some amazing, unforgettable yet somehow underrated performances in Gene Hackman's 80 plus filmography.
"The Conversation" (1974) This is probably my favorite Gene Hackman film overall and perhaps the finest film Francis Ford Coppola made (this is the one he made in between the two Godfather films). Hackman himself said on many occasions that this was his favorite film that he ever acted in and yes he learned to play the saxophone for this masterpiece. This is one of the most quietly intense films and Hackman gave his most subtle (no less intense) performance! Click here to watch preview!
"Night Moves" (1975) Hackman returned to the noir world a year later in filmmaker Arthur Penn's underrated film about a private investigator (Hackman) who's in search of an actress' missing daughter and from their a film full of conspiracy filled plot twists. This film along with some other little seen Hackman gems from the 70's are also receiving the 4K home video treatment! Check out the preview by clicking here!
"Mississippi Burning" (1988) Now this film was a huge success at the time but somehow is not discussed enough when it comes to one of Gene Hackman's most memorable roles. The film is loosely based on the real life FBI investigation of the disappearance of three civil rights activists in the deep south circa 1964. Hackman was awarded with an Academy Award nomination for his brilliant performance. Hackman was turned off though by the violent nature of this film and vowed never to do a violent film again which cost him an opportunity to work on "Silence Of The Lambs" and ALMOST his second Oscar winning performance in "The Unforgiven"! Click here to watch the preview!
"The Royal Tenenbaums" (2001) This was likely Hackman's last memorable role and it was a doozy! Wes Anderson's dark comedy of a patriarch of an eccentric family who has to explain to them why he's separating from his wife. Hackman was apparently hesitant about accepting the part because he felt he was insensitive to his own family in the past. Ultimately his family convinced him to do it (thankfully) and we now have one of Hackman's greatest roles! Click here to watch the preview.
