Looking at this movie got me thinking about actors who go on to become genuine auteurs. It can be a very hit or miss proposition. For instance, Robert De Niro is one of our greatest living actors, but I found his 2006 movie The Good Shepherd to be a bit of a bore.
On the other hand, while I find Jon Favreau to be more or less serviceable as an actor (his one good performance for me is in Swingers) he's proved to be a very good blockbuster filmmaker as evidenced by Elf, Iron Man, and a way better than I anticipated adaptation of The Jungle Book.
I'm excluding filmmakers who sometimes dabble in on-screen acting -- so no Woody Allen or Spike Lee here -- I don't really consider them 'actors' in the traditional sense. I'm thinking of people who will most likely always be known for their acting first, but who have made phenomenal films.
Here are some standouts off the top of my head.Unforgiven (1992)
Directed by Clint Eastwood
Clearly, Eastwood is one of the most accomplished actor-directors of all time. He's won a couple Academy Awards, and he has remained viable for several decades. He's made quite a few movies I really admire, but this brooding western meditation on the nature of violence may always be remembered as his greatest directorial achievement. It's just a perfectly constructed film, with top to bottom excellent performances as a terrific clarity of purpose.
Ordinary People (1980)
Directed by Robert Redford
It's now cinephile orthodoxy that this tearjerker robbed Martin Scorsese's masterpiece Raging Bull of a much-deserved Best Picture and Director Academy Award, which isn't wrong, but that overlooks how effective and moving this movie about an upper-crust family coming apart at the seems is. It's a daringly sensitive story that simply wouldn't get made today. Redford gets extraordinary performances out of his cast, and would prove he was no one-hit wonder with Quiz Show years later.
Dick Tracy (1990)
Directed by Warren Beatty
With Beatty's it's hard to choose. His massive labor of love -- Reds -- is the most respected one. His charming Heaven Can Wait was arguably the best received. And Bullworth is a terrific little diversion. But, the most enjoyable, fully realized of his films may be his note perfect adaptation of the Dick Tracy comic strip into a visually splendid, hilarious treat. A childhood favorite of mine that just keeps getting better with age.
Tropic Thunder (2008)
Directed by Ben Stiller
Stiller honed his formidable skills as a comedy director with his underrated single season Fox sketch show in the '90s and he is very at home with knowing satire of Hollywood hubris. An over-the-top, outrageous film which manages to use blackface and mock films centered around the handicapped, and still emerges triumphant. The cast is stacked with home run hitters, from Robert Downey, Jr. to a wack-a-doo Tom Cruise made up to look like a balding, overweight agent from hell.
The Ides of March (2011)
Directed by George Clooney
A very underrated political drama with a fantastic cast led by Ryan Gosling. Clooney cleverly casts himself in what turns out to be the villain role and keeps the stage-inspired film from feeling too staid and placid. Clooney has had a hit-and-miss record as a filmmaker, and Good Night and Good Luck certainly earned more acclaim, but I think this is his most interesting film to date.
The Night of the Hunter (1955)
Directed by Charles Laughton
The legendary character actor Charles Laughton (Spartacus, The Hunchback of Notre Dame) famously only directed one film -- and it's this bonafide classic. Robert Mitchum is all menace as a psychotic faux preacher who aims to go on a killing spree to get his hands on some stolen money. It's a deeply creepy and atmospheric film, ahead of its time by miles. It's a shame it flopped upon its initial release because it would been fascinating to see more Laughton movies.
One-Eyed Jacks (1961)
Directed by Marlon Brando
This epic western was an extremely troubled, contentious production, which pretty much marked the end of Brando's career as a superstar for almost a decade. He gave one of his last truly committed performances in this deeply autobiographical (and sneakily complex) film about a loner (Brando) clashing with his former father figure (played by Karl Malden in a rare bad guy role). It has gained in stature since its initial release, and suggests that Brando had real skill behind the camera as well as in front of it.
The Paper (1994)
Directed by Ron Howard
Although he's far better known now for his directing, in fairness, Ron Howard was a legit actor first -- mostly known for his television work on The Andy Griffith Show and Happy Days. He's made a lot of very likable comedies (Parenthood, Night Shift) and some more blockbuster fare like the upcoming Solo, but my favorite film of his might be this great day-in-the-life of a New York City tabloid starring a firing-on-all-cylinders Michael Keaton.
Misery (1990)
Directed by Rob Reiner
Although his recent output has been rough, early on in his directing career All In the Family star Rob Reiner had a string of terrific films under his belt. The best, and the biggest outlier, is his nail biting adaptation of Stephen King's Misery. The film is both hilarious and harrowing, and Reiner gets career best performances from James Caan and Kathy Bates in the two leading roles.
The Apostle (1997)
Directed by Robert Duvall
As much as I enjoy Jack Nicholson's mugging in As Good As It Gets, the Best Actor winner that year should have been Duvall in his galvanic performance as a rabble rousing preacher who flees a domestic crisis to set up shop in a racially polarized community. He is electric and so is this unique and eccentric film. This is a great example of an actor directed themselves to one of their best performances.
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