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Gene Hackman’s favorite Gene Hackman performance

Vaseline November 23, 2024

The French Connection - 1971 - William Friedkin - Gene Hackman

(Credits: Far Out / 20th Century-Fox)

Thu Nov 21, 2024 8:45 PM, UK

Gene Hackman’s reputation precedes itself, with a staggering list of credits that showcase the true variety and versatility of his talent, as a restless private detective, ruthless killer and patriarch of a bizarre family. Although he dabbled in both commercial and independent films, in his later years he was more inclined to accept studio projects, deterred by the failure of one of his most cherished films that he desperately wanted to see succeed, whatever he considers it to be. as his favorite performance to this day.

ScarecrowDirected by Jerry Schatzberg in 1973, it is the story of two drifters who wander around town discussing the possibility of opening a car wash in Pittsburgh. Hackman stars alongside the great Al Pacino, who plays the intensely endearing and innocent Frances “Lion” Delbuchi and the kind of character you want to wrap in cotton wool and protect for eternity.

Considering the time in which it was made, it’s a nuanced portrait of male friendship and intimacy, both heartwarming and heartbreaking, as we watch a pair of old friends down on their luck find warmth and reassurance in each other. Both are polar opposites in the way they deal with their plight, showing the light and dark in both actors while creating a melancholic and playful atmosphere. Hackman is the more dominant of the duo, with Pacino’s character being more sensitive and gentle, creating a nice contrast between the two.

When asked about his filmography, Hackman revealed that the intimate friendship drama is in fact his favorite of his entire oeuvre. We see the full spectrum of his creative prowess as he alternates between reactive violence and light-hearted improvisational scenes with Pacino, the two matching each other’s creative power and demanding your entire emotional bandwidth.

Not enough people saw the film, however, and it largely flew under the radar when it was released, something that devastated Hackman. In fact, the actor vowed to only work on projects that would be commercially viable, crushed by the fact that his passion project had been largely forgotten.

After the release of ScarecrowHackman starred in Francis Ford Coppola’s The conversationwhich was heavily criticized by other filmmakers but widely loved by critics, and existed as a controversial and experimental project with Coppola’s filmography. Soon after, Hackman took on many of his most commercially successful roles, such as in The Hollywood Reporter Superman franchise, Red, Bat * 21 And Unforgiven, choosing to opt for projects that had a safer chance of success and wouldn’t break his heart the same way it did Scarecrow.

Though Hackman may have initially been disappointed by the icy reception Scarecrow, the film has found a new audience today and has been rediscovered by fans of both actors, proving that the shelf life and timeline of any creative project is not linear, and that films continue to find their audiences many years after they are made. is one of the many joys and mysteries of the medium.