Well, first I'll say I'm biased because I love Jack Nicholson BUT I don't think you're being fair here. He plays flamboyant characters (A Few Good Men, Batman, Hoffa) and also plays more understated ones (The Crossing Guard, The Pledge, About Schmidt). I think that in Nicholson's and probably even DeNiro's case they play certain characters so well that they probably receive those roles much more often than ones that would allow them to show the kind of range that lesser known actors are allowed to display. Range isn't everything however, Michael Caine and Kevin Klein could never have the presence or command that Nicholson has on screen. Whether Jack could do well in Blame It On Rio or Jaws 4 I'm not sure.
As Good As It Gets kicked ass. I loved that movie... don't understand why so many people seem to hate it. Anywho, I wouldn't call Jack the best American actor ever, but he's certainly one of my favorites... I loved him in AGAIG, Batman, Cuckoo's Nest, About Scmidt... I would nominate Gene Hackman for best American actor.
From what I've heard, Russell Crowe is a real jerk, but I think he's a hell of great actor. Same for just about everyone else mentioned in this thread. This is an awfully subjective issue to be arguing so fervently about though....it's like opening the BIG box of crayolas and trying to decide which one is the prettiest.
Young Jack fans should see Chinatown (1974) followed by it's sequal The Two Jakes (1990) and definitely you have to see Five Easy Pieces (1970) . Overall it's not a great movie but Jack's scene as Robert Eroica Dupea in the diner is an all time classic. It demonstrates the attitude that the youth of the era (me) developed in the face of the Viet Nam war ; questioning Authority and rebelling against the restraints society imposed on personal freedom . Here's the dialog: Dupea: I'd like a plain omelette, no potatoes, tomatoes instead, a cup of coffee, and wheat toast. Waitress: (She points to the menu) No substitutions. Dupea: What do you mean? You don't have any tomatoes? Waitress: Only what's on the menu. You can have a number two - a plain omelette. It comes with cottage fries and rolls. Dupea: Yeah, I know what it comes with. But it's not what I want. Waitress: Well, I'll come back when you make up your mind. Dupea: Wait a minute. I have made up my mind. I'd like a plain omelette, no potatoes on the plate, a cup of coffee, and a side order of wheat toast. Waitress: I'm sorry, we don't have any side orders of toast...an English muffin or a coffee roll. Dupea: What do you mean you don't make side orders of toast? You make sandwiches, don't you? Waitress: Would you like to talk to the manager? Dupea: ...You've got bread and a toaster of some kind? Waitress: I don't make the rules. Dupea: OK, I'll make it as easy for you as I can. I'd like an omelette, plain, and a chicken salad sandwich on wheat toast, no mayonnaise, no butter, no lettuce. And a cup of coffee. Waitress: A number two, chicken sal san, hold the butter, the lettuce and the mayonnaise. And a cup of coffee. Anything else? Dupea: Yeah. Now all you have to do is hold the chicken, bring me the toast, give me a check for the chicken salad sandwich, and you haven't broken any rules. Waitress (spitefully): You want me to hold the chicken, huh? Dupea: I want you to hold it between your knees. Waitress (turning and telling him to look at the sign that says, "No Substitutions") Do you see that sign, sir? Yes, you'll all have to leave. I'm not taking any more of your smartness and sarcasm. Dupea: You see this sign? (He sweeps all the water glasses and menus off the table.)
Classic scene, Gene P., but I think the sign she pointed at said "We Reserve the Right to Refuse Service to Anyone". (I remember that period well myself ) Man, I can't believe the lack of love around here amongst some for one of this country's best actors. In my humble opinion, of course.
Del Toro is awesome....loved him in fear and loathing (he gained like 45 pounds for that role). As for being an American, he's Puerto Rican......so I guess that's American.
