Sure, you get two Michael B. Jordans for the price of one in this blues-y vampire flick, but the idea of an actor playing two roles isn’t exactly new. How do these guys stack up against other doubling folk? Read on to find out.
Sinners
This one’s going to be a hard one to beat. Ryan Coogler’s latest joint sees Michal B. Jordan playing twin brothers playing twin brothers who run into some long-fanged individuals when they come back to their hometown in Mississippi. Jordan embodies each twin very effectively, and the double actor gimmick definitely pays off. Plus it’s pretty difficult not to like a film like this when Nolan apprentice Ludwig Goransson is the musical maestro. Yep, it’s fair to say that this double act has teeth.
Does it work? Yes
The Alto Knights
It’s not wrong to acknowledge the fact that Robert De Niro hasn’t had the greatest streak in the acting world recently. Heck, Heat was the last great film he made (although he did make an impact in a smaller role in Stardust). This film comes with all of that signature De Niro gangster prestige as the poster tells us it was created by the minds behind Goodfellas and The Irishman. But it’s not anywhere near the quality of Goodfellas, and it’s not much better than The Irishman (that’s not a compliment). There doesn’t seem to be any particular reason why De Niro has to play Frank Costello and Vito Genovese. Nothing’s added here. Meh.
Does it work? No
Legend
Now this gangster flick’s double game makes a lot more sense. Because it’s about the Kray twins. You know, twins. Identical twins. So the same actor playing both roles is a decent idea. And it’s more than a decent idea when they’re played by one of the best actors working today, Tom Hardy. This guy always brings in the goods. Hardy injects menace and comedy into both roles, getting some particularly amusing deadpan lines out of Ronnie Kray role while adding some extra toughness with the Reggie performance. This guy knows how to act. Kapeche?
Does it work? Yes
The Prestige
Uh, yeah. There’s not much detail I can give about this fella without giving away some major spoilerinos. But suffice to say, this double act is most effective. Bravo, Nolan.
Does it work? Yes
There Will Be Blood
So Paul Dano plays twin brothers Eli and Paul Summer. Do you remember this? Uh, no. You and me both. I thought it was just Eli Summer. I don’t remember Paul at all. Maybe there’s just a big old memory hole here, but I don’t think the film made this distinction clear at all. It’s still a great film though. Gotta love that milkshake scene. I…drink…your…MILKSHAKE. I DRINK IT UP. Dark comedy at its finest. Fantastic.
Does it work? No
Face/Off
Well, Nicolas Cage does play two different characters, right? Just because he’s meant to be wearing John Travolta’s face at one point still means that’s Nicolas Cage acting and not John Travolta acting, right? I mean no, he’s not Castor Troy and Sean Archer, but, uh, I guess you could suspend a bit of disbelief. Maybe.
Does it work? No, but it’s funny
So, is Sinners the clear winner? Nope, it’s got a bit of rivalry going on with The Prestige for the best double actor performance, I’m afraid.