Great performances by actors you disliked before

[ophone]

I recently saw Un ours dans le Jura [How to Make a Killing] by and with Franck Dubosc. Before that I couldn't stand Dubosc the comedian, I always had the impression he forced to much appearing as an oddball. But that film of his made me change my opinion about him completely.

What about you guys? Maybe you have examples of actors more universally known.

[Poya]

Adam Sandler in Uncut Gems is the premier example for a lot of people.

[Martoto]

Originally Posted by Poya

Adam Sandler in Uncut Gems is the premier example for a lot of people.

Not for me. He wears sunglasses and has the same fixed expression throughout. The role has him being belligerently loud and abrasive with people.

The only real distinguishing thing from his usual roles was the absence of him using that one simple-minded/mentally challenged/brain injured voice that he used for dozens of his funny characters.

I don't dislike him in it. But calling his performance great is a stretch IMO.

[Doctor Jack]

Originally Posted by Martoto

I don't dislike him in it. But calling his performance great is a stretch IMO.

When Daniel Day Lewis, arguably the greatest of all time, calls you on the phone to praise your performance…I think it’s safe to say it was great.

[ophone]

Originally Posted by Poya

Adam Sandler in Uncut Gems is the premier example for a lot of people.

I'm somebody who always liked Adam Sandler. But in Punch-Drunk Love and Uncut Gems he played more serious roles, although without really leaving the persona we were used to by him. He excelled in both films.

[drush9999]

Nor me, Adam Sandler sticks out in any role he has, and not in a good way.

For the longest time I found Will Ferrell irritating, the only film I liked was Anchorman. Then one day something clicked and I now have most of his movies on Blu-ray

I have a feeling this is more common with comedians.

[sanriel]

Ashton Kutcher in The Butterfly Effect.

[Prohibida]

Originally Posted by sanriel

Ashton Kutcher in The Butterfly Effect.

Guess Who is probably the ONLY movie I actually find Ashton Kutcher likable, for whatever reason.

[Martoto]

Arguably?

[BladeRunner2007]

Robert Pattinson in The Lighthouse

Kristen Stewart in The Runaways

Hugh Grant in The Gentlemen

[spider-neil]

Tom Cruise
Interview with a Vampire

That performance opened my eyes and now I'm a fan (mostly).

[BudBaxter]

I can't say I particularly disliked him previously, but Vince Vaughn's performance in Brawl in Cell Block 99 blew my socks off. It was like watching a completely different actor.

[joshsquash729]

I gotta say, Daniel Craig in Knives Out really changed my mind on him. I've never necessarily been a fan of any "tough guy" roles, so Bond never appealed to me (I know, I know), but seeing him stretch his comedic chops just cemented the fact that a lot of actors are plenty capable of doing both, they just get pigeonholed into a certain kind of role.

[Cremildo]

Adam Sandler in Uncut Gems comes to mind immediately.

[starsteam]

Never cared for Aaron Taylor-Johnson in anything but loved him in Bullet Train. Maybe I just hated his American accent?

[VictoryAtNight]

Ezra Miller in The Flash.

[ophone]

Jim Carrey in The Truman Show.

[spanky87]

Anne Hathaway in Rachel Getting Married.

[SteelbookCat]

Keanu Reeves in Sonic 3

[dancerslegs]

I've found Jerry Lewis utterly insufferable in everything I've seen him in, except for Scorsese's The King of Comedy, where he's actually remarkably and impressively understated.