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Better Actor: Johnny Depp or Sean Penn

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THUNDER HANDS Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Oct-14-03 05:19 PM
Original message
Poll question: Better Actor: Johnny Depp or Sean Penn
Since Depp creamed Robert Downey Jr. in the last poll, I figured I'd give him some tougher competition.
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ixion Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Oct-14-03 05:20 PM
Response to Original message
1. Penn is good, but Depp has way more range
IMO...
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IndianaGreen Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Oct-14-03 11:04 PM
Response to Reply #1
39. Depp has far more range
and has been in several small good movies that were totally enjoyable.
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ScreamingMeemie Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Oct-14-03 05:21 PM
Response to Original message
2. Johnny Depp=Cuter actor. I think they are about even on
acting skills, although I have a hard time watching Penn in movies because he reminds me too much of an old boyfriend. Although he was excellent in "Dead Man Walking".
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flamingyouth Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Oct-14-03 05:21 PM
Response to Original message
3. I love them both
But I went with Johnny Depp. Tough choice.
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mitchum Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Oct-14-03 05:22 PM
Response to Original message
4. Sean Penn without question
He may not have Depp's ageless chicken quality, but come on...
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David Zephyr Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Oct-14-03 05:24 PM
Response to Original message
5. Johnny Depp.
n/t
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LeftPeopleFinishFirst Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Oct-14-03 05:28 PM
Response to Original message
6. very tough
two different styled actors. I really liked Penn in i am sam, even though that wasn't one of his top movies. Depp is just, wow, hot and talented. But since Sean's lagging a bit I'll vote for him.
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supernova Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Oct-14-03 05:30 PM
Response to Original message
7. No contest- JD in a landslide
Anybody who can convincingly play both Ed Wood and Donnie Brasco has some wickedly good mojo going on.

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VermontDem2004 Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Oct-14-03 05:36 PM
Response to Reply #7
9. I agree
a lopsided landslide.
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Catch22Dem Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Oct-14-03 05:48 PM
Response to Reply #7
13. And George Jung (n/t)
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supernova Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Oct-14-03 05:49 PM
Response to Reply #13
14. Yep,
If you've seen the features on the DVD for Blow, you'll know how close Johnny comes to being George Jung. It's frightening.
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Aristus Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Oct-14-03 05:32 PM
Response to Original message
8. I'm a straight guy, and immune to Depp's doe-eyed charms.
I think Sean Penn is a better actor. Having said that, it should not be read that because one is better, the other is no good. I think Depp is a fine actor. He seems to play the same narrow set of roles, but he plays them well. I'm trying to think of a role that Sean Penn played that Johnny Depp could do better, and can't come up with one. His sweet, dim-witted escaped convict in "We're No Angels" is close, but I still think Penn nailed it.
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supernova Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Oct-14-03 05:41 PM
Response to Reply #8
11. It's not about the charm, Aristus
though that's nice too, I'll grant you.

Even if Johnny would have been offered it, I could see why he would have passed on "We're No Angels" at the time. It's simply not his subject matter.

Sean Penn is OK, but really the only one of Johnny's roles I can see him doing OK in is D.B. But really I don't think he would have been able to bring the inner conflict and sense of betrayal to bear the way Johnny did.

Sean at times, over acts. Perhaps he will learn to modulate, I don't know. Johnny works on a much more subtle level. He's an efficient communicator of character.

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Aristus Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Oct-14-03 05:52 PM
Response to Reply #11
17. I agree. Johnny Depp is more subtle in his approach.
That's what made "Edward Scissorhands" such a beautiful performance. I've done some acting myself, and the directors have almost always told me, 'go out as far as you like, and I'll reel you in'. That's seems better than having to yank a performance out of a guy. This applies to me, you understand, not Johnny Depp.

Sean Penn's moment of transcendant beauty was, for me, his "sermon" in "We're No Angels". He starts by reading the sales brochure for a Colt Revolver, and you think he's going to screw it up, and he just does so wonderfully.
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corarose Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Oct-14-03 05:37 PM
Response to Original message
10. Johnny Depp
Is one hell of a beautiful man.
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supernova Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Oct-14-03 05:45 PM
Response to Reply #10
12. Let's all take a moment to ..umm. ahh...
*sigh*

photo courtesy of http//:www.johnnydeppfan.com
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THUNDER HANDS Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Oct-14-03 05:49 PM
Response to Reply #12
15. *sigh* is right
:eyes:
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supernova Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Oct-14-03 05:51 PM
Response to Reply #15
16. Hey,
Just 'cause you can't get laid, doesn't mean the rest of us have to be nuns. :P
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corarose Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Oct-14-03 11:59 PM
Response to Reply #12
48. Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh Damnnnnnnn
Where the hell did you get that picture? Damn Damn Damn!
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Kahuna Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Oct-14-03 07:57 PM
Response to Reply #10
25. He is beautiful. Perfect symmetry to his face.
:loveya:
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U2Fanatic Donating Member (187 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Oct-14-03 08:40 PM
Response to Reply #25
26. I agree
he is one of only two famous guys that I go absolutely nuts for.
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joeybee12 Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Oct-14-03 07:19 PM
Response to Original message
18. I cannot believe the results thus far! Penn is brilliant!
Depp is merely adequate--never saw a great performance yet.
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Rashind Donating Member (221 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Oct-14-03 07:43 PM
Response to Original message
19. Sorry, I loved depp in Pirates...
I loved those crazy half-drunken mannerisms. I want to act like that full time. Of course, I've always wanted to be a pirate.
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DoNotRefill Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Oct-14-03 07:47 PM
Response to Reply #19
20. I concur...Arrrghhhhhh!!!!
(trying on my Pirate Voice...)
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joeybee12 Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Oct-14-03 07:50 PM
Response to Reply #19
21. Haven't seen pirates, refuse to see a movie based ona theme ride!
And a disney theme ride, no less!
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supernova Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Oct-14-03 08:45 PM
Response to Reply #21
27. This proves it, joeybee12,
you have no joi de vivre. You're a humorless, dried-up crab shell of a human being. :P
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VOX Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Oct-14-03 07:52 PM
Response to Original message
22. Depp is fun at times, but Penn has the much broader range...
See him in "Mystic River" and you'll understand, if you don't already know.
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supernova Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Oct-14-03 09:06 PM
Response to Reply #22
30. Heh, that's truely funny
to say that Penn has a broader range. Except for I am Sam, he always plays the same James Dean wannabe. Johnny's played more different kinds of characters than SP has nightmares about.
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mitchum Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Oct-14-03 09:35 PM
Response to Reply #30
33. But Johnny often resembles a Natalie Wood wannabe
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supernova Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Oct-14-03 09:51 PM
Response to Reply #33
35. The aforementioned Hunter S Thompson
Edward Scissorhands, Donnie Brasco, George Jung, BonBon, Ed Wood, Jack Sparrow.

Johnny consistently plays against his looks.
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mitchum Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Oct-14-03 09:57 PM
Response to Reply #35
36. "often" VS ""consistently"
one can only play against chicken/hustler looks so much
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supernova Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Oct-14-03 10:28 PM
Response to Reply #36
37. Johnny is multi-talented
he can pull off comedy as well as drama, and make you feel the pathos of either.

I can't say the same for Sean Penn. He mostly seems uncomfortable when he's trying to be funny.
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mitchum Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Oct-14-03 10:58 PM
Response to Reply #37
38. Yeah, Penn really failed to nail Jeff Spicoli
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supernova Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Oct-14-03 11:19 PM
Response to Reply #38
40. Specifics baby
put up or call it a night. What about Spicoli is better than Ed Wood?
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mitchum Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Oct-14-03 11:29 PM
Response to Reply #40
43. Well, several people have essentially made careers out of ripping...
off Penn's characterisation. I don't think that secondhand Ed Woods have become a cottage industry. Touche (as Johnny would say in one of his ridiculous swordfighting confections)
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supernova Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Oct-14-03 11:36 PM
Response to Reply #43
44. Only because they can't do Ed Wood
I don't see imitations as an especially good thing for an actor. You are supposed to find your own center from which to act.

Johnny is by far the more risk-taking actor. You only have to see Edward Scissorhands or Benny & Joon or F&L in Las Vegas, or Blow to see that. Sean Penn plays it very close to home. He's done one person very different from himself. The rest were just veriations on the testosterone-driven theme.


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mitchum Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Oct-14-03 11:56 PM
Response to Reply #44
46. Why am I starting to feel like one of John Hinckley's friends...
who prefered Tatum O'Neal? We'll just have to agree to disagree.
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supernova Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Oct-14-03 11:58 PM
Response to Reply #46
47. Tee Hee!
Did you really expect anything less from the President of the DU Johnny Depp Fan Club?

For the record, I have nothing against SP, it's just that he bores me.
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VOX Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Oct-15-03 04:35 AM
Response to Reply #44
51. Depp's Ed Wood sounds like a dead-on John Lovitz impression.
Edited on Wed Oct-15-03 04:55 AM by rezmutt
It's amusing, but where's the arc of the character? He starts out with high hopes, he ends with high hopes.

Oh, yeah, he's got high hopes in between. And did I mention enthusiasm?

On edit: Depp is boxed in by his specialty: freaks, asthetes, brooding rebels, all variants of the same basic character: the sensitive outsiders. This is not a criticism per se. He is good at what he does.
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VOX Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Oct-15-03 04:49 AM
Response to Reply #30
52. Presenting a gallery of Penn's characters that Depp can't touch...
Jeff Spicoli - Fast Times at Ridgemont High 1982
Daulton Lee - Falcon and the Snowman 1985
Brad Whitewood Jr. - At Close Range 1986
Danny McGavin - Colors 1988
Meserve - Casualties of War 1989
Terry Noonan - State of Grace 1990
Matthew Poncelet - Dead Man Walking 1995
Emmet Ray - Sweet and Lowdown 1999
Paul - 21 Grams 2003
Jimmy - Mystic River 2003

I'm deliberately leaving out "I am Sam," which you cite. Their bodies of work laid side by side, Penn is a heavyweight. Depp is a facile middleweight.
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MrsMatt Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Oct-14-03 07:56 PM
Response to Original message
23. My poll question is
why do I always vote on Magic Rat's polls?
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Deja Q Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Oct-14-03 07:56 PM
Response to Original message
24. Go watch "Private Resort" and ask me that question again...
:D
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supernova Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Oct-14-03 08:47 PM
Response to Reply #24
28. Yeah, I could say the same about
Shanghai Surprise! :P
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proud patriot Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Oct-14-03 08:53 PM
Response to Original message
29. okay so I have pondered this all day
and still can't decide .

and yes Depp is cuter but that wasn't the question ..
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bbernardini Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Oct-14-03 09:24 PM
Response to Original message
31. "Fear and Loathing..." - 'nuff said.
:)
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supernova Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Oct-14-03 09:26 PM
Response to Reply #31
32. Yes!!!!
How could I forget that?!?

Only two actors have dared approach the wily genius that is Hunter S Thompson. Only ONE has succeeded. Johnny Depp. Way too cool for words.
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seamarq Donating Member (159 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Oct-14-03 09:41 PM
Response to Original message
34. Ed Wood
Depp was courageous as an actor and absolutely hilarious.
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Terwilliger Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Oct-14-03 11:22 PM
Response to Original message
41. Penn is superior to Depp
by most measures...while I like Depp
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supernova Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Oct-14-03 11:27 PM
Response to Reply #41
42. In what way Terwilliger?
you are uncharacteristically vague here.
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Terwilliger Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Oct-15-03 12:28 AM
Response to Reply #42
49. I think Penn has a better range
not to say that I think Depp is so limited

I also havent seen many of Depp's movies
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VOX Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Oct-15-03 04:58 AM
Response to Reply #42
53. Penn has challenged himself more than Depp.
Look at Penn's body of work over two decades; note the high-octane directors and actors whom he has worked with, the varied projects that he has selected, and see if he hasn't challenged himself more than Depp.
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supernova Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Oct-14-03 11:50 PM
Response to Original message
45. Best film of the 1990s - Dead Man
Edited on Tue Oct-14-03 11:54 PM by supernova
Dead Man by Jim Jarmusch.

If you haven't seen it, rent it. Part western, part allegory, part morality play, part treatise on the treatment of native americans by the government, and part love letter to William Blake. I guarantee you will be thinking about Dead Man for days afterward.

You could write a master's or doctoral thesis on the themes and imagery in this movie. Oh, and you should have a thorough knowledge of William Blake.

The only part SP would have been suited for is the ones played by Billy Bob Thornton or Iggy pop. Certainly not the lead. The lead required too much forethought and sensitivity.
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eauclaireliberal Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Oct-15-03 03:23 AM
Response to Original message
50. Depp is good, however...
I voted for Penn because IMHO I don't think Depp could do Matthew Poncelat.
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