Why does everyone love Val Kilmer in this?
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kermmorris — 9 years ago(April 14, 2016 10:25 AM)
At the risk of repeating what others have already stated.I enjoyed the performance of Kilmer because, he played him in a way that I have never seen before. In the older movies Pre 1980's genre, Doc Holiday is the same character, gambling, rambling and famous as the shootist and second banana for the famous Wyatt Earp. He was the same in nearly every movie that had a Doc Holliday character. The performance by Val Kilmer was different, he brought a coolness to the role, a dangerous and flawed man that was both educated and base at once, without proclaiming it with a scream or loudmouth declaration (see Dennis Quaid in the Movie WYATT). He also stole the scenes with an assurance that was believable and entertaining; He played the role with an air and attitude that was believable. Having said that, I know that the director may have played fast and loose with the facts concerning Wyatt and Doc, but nevertheless, I believe his method fit the character. for example; the scene where Wyatt is surrounded by the cowboys in the street, and Wyatt tells Ike Clanton that he will turn his head into a canoe, Doc walks up with a drink (and a gun). Billy Clanton remarks that Doc is seeing double, to which he replies. "I have two guns..one for each of you." while he recites the phrase he twirls his pistols (in opposite directions. This is what made Kilmer's performance top notch and led to what is now a movie favorite if not a classic. although Holliday has been characterized as loud, brash and belligerent, he reinvented the character without offending, or making a mockery of his legend. Also noting the good performances by the other talent. Stephen Lang, Kurt Russell, Powers Boothe and others. IMHO regards.
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Chloe1251 — 9 years ago(April 20, 2016 07:18 AM)
. "I have two guns..one for each of you." while he recites the phrase he twirls his pistols (
in opposite directions
.
I loved that.
This is what made Kilmer's performance top notch and led to what is now a movie favorite if not a classic. although Holliday has been characterized as loud, brash and belligerent,
According to Wyatt, Doc was a Southern gentleman, calm and cool with the kind of scathing wit we see in the movie, and not coarse, vulgar and loud like Quaid's portrayal. -
WallaceHasLanded — 9 years ago(April 29, 2016 11:13 PM)
Everyone loves Kilmer because he not only gets one of the most fun, endearing, comical, and entertaining characters to play in modern westerns, but he also absolutely nailed it.
He was going to be a fan favorite character of the film regardless of who got cast, but Kilmer owned it in a way that it's hard to imagine anyone else in the role. -
DreadFox — 9 years ago(July 30, 2016 10:06 PM)
I was 13 when this movie came out. For me it was the first time I'd seen an actor I was familiar with "change" into something else for the role. It was so..creative at the time. Like, why did he portray the character like that? Why the white makeup, the almost feminine at times movements, the frailty, the way he spoke, etc. etc.
It was just really cool. His lines were all so great, he was such a loyal friend, and even tho he was far from the manly image of a strong man action hero (the norm for the early 90's) he was still the most kickass character in the film.
Maybe I'm way off but for me it's comparable to Heath Ledger as the Joker. He didn't act the part, he embodied it, created it. So many little things Ledger did as the Joker that make you wonder, how did he come up with that? Why did he decide to walk that way or talk that way or whatever?
Not sure how someone today younger than me would see the role. I assume not see anything special. Bit at 13 years old and still today I'm blown away by his portrayal of a character he made his own. Every actor in the movie does a good job, but only Val Kilmer stepped out of his own skin and became something for the screen. -
jaseace — 9 years ago(August 03, 2016 01:44 PM)
Val Kilmer's role in Tombstone is probably one of, if not the most memorable roles he's ever played in my opinion..That's the first one that comes to mind when I think about the movies he's been in. He's quite convincing and adds depth to the movie. Kurt Russell is great in TS as well, all actors compliment each other nicely.
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azsteve1962 — 9 years ago(September 21, 2016 07:47 PM)
Because he's my Huckleberry, dangit.
I think folks love him in this for two reasons. The first being, he does a fine job playing a tragic, yet lovable character. You can credit the writers and director, I guess, but he played it well.
Secondly, look at the other work he has done. Some good, some bad. This is one of his best roles. No need to overthink it, IMHO.insert obscure, but loved movie quote here<
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