Just saw this movie for the first time. Ralph was wonderful and understated. He was stunning as well.

Erm He was wayyyy over the top in that!

His most subtle performance was in The Grand Budapest Hotel.
Wendy? Darling? Light, of my life!

I can't imagine Charles Van Doren being played by any actor other than Ralph Fiennes; he looked perfect for the part (blond, photogenic), and acting-wise he brought a great deal of vulnerability to what, as someone else pointed out, is a rather passive character; he made you
feel
for Van Doren. Perhaps his American accent was a bit self-conscious, but I can't fault his performance in any other way.

I need to re-watch this film. Ralph Fiennes brings brilliance to each role he is in, and I'm still stunned and surprised he didn't win Best Supporting Actor Oscar for Amon Goeth. A very WTH?! moment from the Academy. His nomination/wins list is impressive, but he is worthy of far more nominations/wins, imo:
Awards and nominations:
Awards
1993: New York Film Critics Circle Award for Best Supporting ActorSchindler's List
1994: BAFTA Award for Best Actor in a Supporting RoleSchindler's List
1994: NSFC Award, DFWFCA Award, and CFCA Award for Best Supporting ActorSchindler's List
1995: ALFS Award for British Actor of the YearSchindler's List
1995: Tony Award for Best ActorHamlet
1999: European Film Award for Best ActorSunshine
2005: Krzysztof Kielowski Award for his body of work as a thespian
2006: Honorary Fellowship of UCD Dramatic Society for services to theatre
2007: Spike TV's 2007 Scream Awards for Most Vile VillainHarry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
2007: The James Joyce Award of the Literary and Historical Society.
Nominations
1994: Academy Award for Best Supporting ActorSchindler's List
1994: Golden Globe for Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Motion PictureSchindler's List
1994: MTV Movie Award for Best Breakthrough PerformanceSchindler's List
1996: Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a CastThe English Patient
1997: Academy Award for Best Actor in a Leading RoleThe English Patient
1997: BAFTA Award for Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading RoleThe English Patient
1997: Golden Globe and Satellite Award for Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion PictureDramaThe English Patient
1999: Annie Award for Outstanding Individual Achievement for Voice Acting in an Animated Feature ProductionThe Prince of Egypt
2000: BAFTA Film Award for Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading RoleThe End of the Affair
2000: Genie Award for Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading RoleSunshine
2001: ALFS Award for British Actor of the YearThe End of the Affair
2003: Saturn Award for Best Supporting ActorRed Dragon
2003: Teen Choice AwardChoice Movie Liplock (shared with Jennifer Lopez)Maid in Manhattan
2006: BAFTA AwardBest ActorThe Constant Gardener
2006: Annie AwardsBest Voice/AnimationWallace & Gromit Curse of the Were-Rabbit
2006: MTV Movie AwardsBest VillainHarry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
2008: Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting ActorThe Duchess
The snowflake makes it cold, cold, cold. Set temperature makes it hold, hold hold.

agree. he played a passive character quite well. not easy.
'I'm not making art, I'm making sushi.'-Masaharu Morimoto

to be honest I only saw it back in May while I was studying for my college exams, I was going through a Ralph Fiennes movie binge XD It was surprisingly good I'd never heard of it until somebody suggested it to me, I don't really know anybody else here in Ireland whose seen it, I mean it's kinda hard to ind on DVD over here.

Well, as I say, it's not common for people to bhave so reasonably on IMDb.
Anyway. I watched this film last night, for the first time in many years it's been released on Blu-ray here in Australia and i was pleased to see how well it's aged and remember how highly I thought of it. It's very pleasing to see a period film that's convincing in its history, without feeling like a museum piece in a bell jar.
You might very well think that. I couldn't possibly comment.

Not at ll. As long as you at least give your argument in a pleasant way, I have respect for anyone
Ya, I actually kind of agree with you on that one, the script made him seem less important then he actually was.

Thanks Sheldom, especially for not just calling me a troll, as many IMDb-ers tend to do when they encounter a different opinion.
Myself, I thought the focus on van Doren in this flick was more a result of the script than Fiennes' acting, but I guess we'll have to agree to disagree!
You might very well think that. I couldn't possibly comment.

You know what, I disagree with your opinion, but I really respect it too!
In fact I see where you are coming from. But, I've never really seen him over act too much
I see this performance as Subtle because despite him being the lead actor, it seems as though every supporting actor makes more of an impact, yet he still makes his presence felt in such a delicate way. Just my opinion.
But again, I greatly respect your view on it

Oh well, okay, I'll be the one to dissent.
At least, I agree with the title of the thread, but for my money Fiennes is an habitual over-actor. This may have been his most understated performance, but that doesn't mean it was particularly subtle, just comparatively subtle
for him
.
You might very well think that. I couldn't possibly comment.

I second that opinion! Ralph was brilliant an this (and may I add, shallowly, I think he was at his most gorgeous).

I totally agree with your assessment of both characters. I love both movies but Schindler's List is a hard movie to watch and I only watch once a year if that. But RF on Quiz Show is such a nuanced and layered character I can watch QS and enjoy it over and over. My husband does not understand my fascination with this film.