The Rise Of An American Icon

Rating: 10/10 (30 January 2019)

In his early years, Henry Fonda made a trilogy of films that cemented him as one of the greats. His sixth film 'Young Mr. Lincoln' (1939) followed by 'Jesse James' (1940) and 'The Grapes Of Wrath' (1940). Oh, and 'The Ox Bow Incident' (1943). So four! Four classic films that cemented him in the hallowed halls of -- wait. Can't forget 'My Darling Clementine' in 1946. FIVE! Five great and lasting iconic films. But most of us watched these films informed by what was to come later. It got me thinking, what was it like to see icons like Fonda on screen for the first time. Did people watch thinking "OMG we're watching something pretty amazing here!" Did they sense that this was the start of a legendary career? Because that's the feeling I had when I watched Casey Affleck in 'Gone Baby Gone'. This performance was not a one off. No, I was being given the opportunity to see an artist at the start of an epic career. Don't believe me? Check out The Assassination Of Jesse James' and 'Manchester By The Sea'. In each of these films, Affleck portrays the reliable grown up hero for the every man in all of us. The non-hacker who can act a thousand words with a glance. The soft spoken laconicy that suggests vulnerability and unassuredness but belys an inner strength and steely bravery. The hallowed, weary expression of a man with the single minded workaday urge to be good. If you do the math, you know that these people come along once or twice in a life time. Moreover, if fate allows (it usually doesn't), they progress through a long and respectable career leaving the world a better place for it. I watch Affleck work and I find it impossible not to include him in this short list of great American male actors. Hanks is iconic, yes, but he earned it film by film. DeCaprio seemed born to it. Eastwood's doing his best work in the latter part of his career and Pacino and DeNiro are wrecklessly squandering their iconic status with silly movie after silly movie. There are other contenders in his generation (Crudup, Gosling, Hardy, etc.) but Affleck seems to pack the gear for the times as they are. The knowing, quiet guy at the back of the room whose every movement is efficently utilitarian. 'GBG' is his 22nd film. It is a sure bet that forty years from now our great grand kids will be watching Affleck the way we watched Fonda. Directed by brother Ben, who cowrote the screenplay, and with a fantastic supporting cast, 'Gone Baby Gone' is a winning combination of great movie making. But Casey Affleck turns it into a classic. It's why Affleck makes my short list of great American actors for our times and perhaps for all times.