val kilmer's performance

Rating: Null/10 (5 November 1998)

In this viewer's eyes, Tombstone was Val Kilmer's finest performance to date. He was almost chameleon-like in that the viewer saw very little of Val in Doc. The deadly gentleman could not be played by anyone better. Kilmer's off-screen antics are no secret, but his on-screen performances are most always electrifying. Having Kilmer's Doc Holliday in a mind set makes seeing Dennis Quaid or Kirk Douglas portrayal of the gunslinger almost painful. Not that these actors are of second rate caliber, but they simply can not hold a candle to Val's representation. With such memorable lines as "i'm your huckleberry," "I'm dying, how are you?", and "Oh, Johnny. I apologize, I forgot you were there. You may go now," left an imprint on my mind and I can recall most if not all of Val Kilmer's lines from Tombstone. The fact that Kilmer was not even nominated for an Academy Award is a travesty in and of itself. I do not recall who won the award for best supporting actor in 1993, but whoever received the gold surely did not deserve to. I do not believe I have ever seen a performance quite as memorable as that of Val Kilmer's John "Doc" Holliday, and if anyone can, well "you're a daisy if you do." -CrewJG