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Discussion » Questions » Entertainment » In your opinion, which actress or actor has given the best portrayal of a real-life criminal? (Please name the movie or show also, thanks.)
Randy D

In your opinion, which actress or actor has given the best portrayal of a real-life criminal? (Please name the movie or show also, thanks.)



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Posted - May 28, 2017
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Responses


  • I thought Johnny Depp did a good job portraying John Dillinger in Public Enemies. 
      May 29, 2017 6:14 AM MDT
    5

  • 7939
    Charlize Theron as Aileen Wuornos in "Monster."

      May 29, 2017 11:59 PM MDT
    5

  • 23572
    Melanie Lynskey and Kate Winslet
    portraying teenagers Pauline Parker and Juliet Hulme (Hulme is better known now as best-selling author Anne Perry)
    in Peter Jackson's excellent film
    "Heavenly Creatures"

    In real-life, Parker and Hulme, as teenagers, plotted and killed Pauline's mother.

    I'm still surprised a bit at how seemingly no one bats an eye at author Perry's past.

    I highly recommend this movie.



    This post was edited by WelbyQuentin at June 1, 2017 5:55 AM MDT
      May 31, 2017 7:20 PM MDT
    5

  • 3191
    I just looked that case up...they only got 5 years for murder?  
      May 31, 2017 7:29 PM MDT
    2

  • 23572
    Yeah, that is rather crazy. (And, from what I remember from my readings, the reasons for that were convoluted.)  After seeing the movie, I've read a couple of articles and two books - - one of them was really excellent and has stuck with me. If you're interested in a great read, it's called " Anne Perry and the Murder of the Century" by Peter Graham.
    I'll try posting an image of the book, too.
    After seeing the movie first, and then reading the research I read, I remain impressed at director Peter Jackson's film - - his film stays within the known facts very well, along with exploring Parker and Hulme's friendship.
    And I'll say again -- Lynskey and Winslet are practically perfect in their roles. Great performances in my opinion.
    :)


    This post was edited by WelbyQuentin at May 31, 2017 7:42 PM MDT
      May 31, 2017 7:37 PM MDT
    1

  • 3191
    Convoluted...I'll say!

    Because they were both under 18, neither could be sentenced to death. Their punishment was instead ‘detention during Her Majesty’s pleasure’.

    Thanks, Welby!  I'm going to check out both the book and the movie.  I've read quite a lot of true crime...I have a hard time wrapping my mind around the things people do to each other, and so I find the genre bizarrely fascinating.  In fact, I'm reading one right now by Ann Rule.  
      May 31, 2017 7:49 PM MDT
    1

  • 23572
    Yes, after I wrote that last comment, I almost added that - - that a lot of their punishment was based upon their age. And the lawyers for each girl -- there were circumstances around that, too. (I seem to remember Parker's family was lower-middle class and Hulme's family was quite well-to-do, and their lawyers --  something --   - - oh, well, I simply can't remember now. You'll have to read the book, ha!)

    I read a lot of true crime, too! I hope you find both the movie and the book worth your time. I certainly have.
    :)
    I'd venture to say that the movie may be one of the best I've seen.

    Feel free to let me know what you think about both/either if you explore them! This post was edited by WelbyQuentin at May 31, 2017 8:22 PM MDT
      May 31, 2017 8:17 PM MDT
    1

  • 3191
    I shall, Welby, and thanks again!  
      May 31, 2017 8:24 PM MDT
    1

  • 23572
    Sure thing, Bozette!
    :)
      May 31, 2017 8:29 PM MDT
    1

  • 13071
    Impressive answer. 
      May 31, 2017 7:32 PM MDT
    1

  • 23572
    Thanks, carbonproduct! Again, I highly recommend that movie! The movie's images stay with me still. I wrote a little more about my little bit of research on the case as it related to the movie under Bozette's reply.
    :)
    In any case, thanks, again for you kind comment!
    :)
      May 31, 2017 7:43 PM MDT
    0

  • 7683
    I luved catch me if you can...https://youtu.be/jE7-h7mwfPs
      May 31, 2017 11:25 PM MDT
    3

  • 604
    I'd have to say TWO actors: Scott Wilson and Robert Blake in 'In Cold Blood'...surely the best thing Blake ever did!!!  

    His execution scene is sheer magic and edited to a T.....I've watched it over and over...the pacing, the timing, his expressions, every little nuance of his fright and remorse are there for the world to see!!!!!!

    Wilson was good also....both TOTALLY believable as the scumbags they were portraying.

    this is a film and performances not to be missed!!!!!!!!!!!!! and one more thing.....I read at the time that the director used TWO SETS of actors; to play the killers and the family they murdered...\

    SO....he rehearsed the murder scene with 2 actors who were NOT in the movie, with the actors playing the family who were IN the movie; then he rehearsed the same scene with Blake and Wilson, and actors playing the family who were NOT in the movie.

    pretty cool, huh? so when you see it, and you see Wilson shine the flashlight in the father's eyes, THAT'S THE FIRST TIME EITHER ONE HAS SEEN THE OTHER...............

    SO IT put a real sense/feeling of unfamiliarity to the scene, which is the way it'd have been in real life..

    BRILLIANT...................
      January 31, 2018 8:16 AM MST
    0