YOU'RE NOT WORFWESS, AWEC BALDWIN: It's an exceedingly quiet day at the office--perhaps folks thought it would be a good idea to not come in in light of the subzero windchill--so I want to make a case to you fine folks--Alec Baldwin is a better actor than he gets credit for. Take a look at the filmography. There are a fair number of stinkers in there, but Baldwin, even in an utter disaster like "The Cat In The Hat" or a movie he's clearly doing for the paycheck like "Along Came Polly," Baldwin's part is almost always fascinating to watch. Baldwin also has a willingness to take smaller or unusual parts that many "name actors" might be reluctant to do, such as narrating "The Royal Tennenbaums" and providing a voice for the animated version of "Clerks.""
However, the key to Baldwin's talent is two-fold. First, he is enormously good at playing the profane but smart thug. Witness his Oscar-nominated work in last year's "The Cooler" as Casino owner and small-time hustler Shelly Kaplow. Also, Baldwin's performance in "Glengarry Glen Ross" is deservedly legendary, not just for its innovative usage of profanity, but for great delivery of lines like "We're adding a little something to this month's sales contest. As you all know, first prize is a Cadillac Eldorado. Anybody want to see second prize? [Holds up prize] Second prize is a set of steak knives. Third prize is you're fired."
Second is Baldwin's utter willingness to self-parody. It's rarely seen on the big screen, with the best examples being his unbilled work as a drunken lout of an actor in "Notting Hill" and as a lecherous actor with a thing for underaged girls in "State & Main," but it shines. Where Baldwin's comic edge really shines are his many appearances on "SNL." Be it making fun of himself as being nothing more than a "handsome actor," talking about his "Schweddy Balls," reminiscing about the late, great Bill Brasky, or even delivering a very uncomfortable presentation with a coworker, Baldwin always brings the laughs.
Personally, I'd love to see Baldwin on a sitcom or dramedy--maybe a more comic, network-friendly variation on "The Sopranos" about a goodfella who goes into witness protection but can't quite seem to give up "the life." Hell, if it weren't too late, I'd advocate seeing Baldwin as a Presidential candidate over on "West Wing," and he still could make an interesting recurring character as an angry Senator.
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