While widely recognised as one of the world’s biggest stars, Johnny Depp has an unlikely acting hero that he has always had a big old soft spot for and spoiler alert: it isn’t the likes of former Donnie Brasco co-star Al Pacino. No, the performer that Depp has called an “unrecognised genius” is none other than acclaimed silent-movie era star Buster Keaton.
Keaton is arguably one of the most influential performers and filmmakers of all time, pushing the boat out during the most formative era of filmmakers and pioneering some of the earliest major stunt work in movies. Known for his incredible performances on camera, as well as his iconic deadpan expression, Keaton performed throughout the roaring ’20s until he ran aground. In his later career, he still found time to fit in other roles in the business to pay the bills.
Depp rightfully praised Keaton in a past interview while on the promotional trail for his film Benny & Joon, where Depp plays a character that is, shall we say, just a little bit obsessed with the work and life of Keaton. Depp, equally committed to the role, enlisted the help of a professional mime so he could perfectly replicate Keaton’s performances in the role of Sam, expressing his love for the icon of cinema.
Noting, “He could convey worlds without words—with just a gesture of the hand, or the merest movement of an eye. Silent comedy, silent acting—they’re real challenges. It’s pretty simple to say to someone that you love them. But it’s a lot, lot harder to express that love without words. I’m fascinated,” Depp adds, “by the whole idea of speaking without speaking. Silence attracts me more than something loud does. It’s like the way a growling dog can be more scary than a barking one.”
While Depp’s love of Keaton is well documented, does the pioneer of early Hollywood stunt work and performance still stand so unrecognised today? Not a chance. There have been plenty of plaudits in recent years from multiple sources praising Keaton’s life and work. Modern Hollywood is just as aware and active in the continuation of Keaton’s work as it was almost 30 years ago at the time of Depp’s foray into the Keatonverse with Benny & Joon.
Even Deadpool has got in on the Keaton bandwagon, with actor Ryan Reynolds taking to Twitter (we’re still not calling it X. Screw Elon) to call back to the legacy of Keaton and other silent film era pioneers such as Charlie Chaplin and Harold Lloyd. Reynolds is right to call out the legacy of the past to further debate about greater recognition for stunt performers within the film industry. Performers like Keaton may have paved the way, but it is up to modern actors to carry on the legacy they started and advance it.
While we can’t be sure of how Keaton might react to some of today’s modern productions and the stunts they’re able to pull off, we can be sure that his legacy is well enshrined in the hard work of the stunt community, bringing continuous excellent performances and endless spectacle to the big screen.
Perhaps one day we’ll see Keaton’s life on the big screen played out by Tom Cruise. I’m not sure he can pull off ‘The Great Stone Face’ quite like Keaton can, though.
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