7 Dennis Hopper performances in films you must see (if you haven’t already)
7 Dennis Hopper performances in films you must see (if you haven’t already)
May 30
On May 29, 2010 the world lost one of its most influential actors and filmmakers the industry has known. Even if you’re not a fan or overly aware of his film roles, writing credits or directorial efforts, chances are you’re familiar with the name Dennis Hopper.
As is the case with any unfortunate passing of film’s elite talent, movie marathons of their most memorable and important roles take place in homes everywhere. Personally, I’ll be watching Easy Rider tonight followed by some other classics over the remainder of the week, featuring Dennis Hopper performances that have always impressed me and stuck out in my mind. Here are seven films you’ll find on most ‘films you must see before you die’ lists which star Dennis Hopper, and reasons why you should see them (if you haven’t already).
REBEL WITHOUT A CAUSE (1955)
James Dean, motorcycles, leather jackets, 50s rebellion, teen angst… and the feature film debut of Dennis Hopper. After a start in television, baby-faced Hopper kicked off his filmography with an appearance next to James Dean in his most popular film, Rebel Without A Cause, at the age of 19. James Dean died a month before the film was released and it went on to become an all-time classic. This is one of those never-to-be-repeated, once-in-a-lifetime film appearances only Hopper can claim. Incredible.
EASY RIDER (1969)
The film that ushered in a new wave of independent filmmaking and changed the way Hollywood approached feature films, Easy Rider shaped the world of movies as we know it today. Made cheap, Easy Rider gathered in a bucket-load of money and instantly had executives looking for younger, outward thinking filmmakers who were given permission to break the mould. Dennis Hopper shines next to Jack Nicholson on the screen and confirms his talent (with a cherry on top) by also directing this trend-setting, landscape-changing, timeless classic.
APOCALYPSE NOW (1979)
A personal favourite of mine, whenever I watch Francis Ford Coppola’s classic Vietnam war film Apocalypse Now I’m often pleasantly surprised by the sudden appearance of Dennis Hopper as a drug-induced reporter who has been seduced by the violent battle. The film is so robust and engulfing, Hopper appears as if from nowhere to masterfully carry the plot into the third and final act. His poetic rants and engaging eyes stick out like a sore thumb in the dark world of Apocalypse Now. He feels like a breath of fresh air by the time the film reaches his scenes, a breath you feel guilty for taking because he is soon revealed to be as dark and twisted as the war he’s trapped in. Heavy, man.
BLUE VELVET (1986)
Put any capable actor in the haphazard hands of David Lynch and unexpected, magical things are bound to happen. Put Dennis Hopper in his hands and it turns out you get one of the most memorable and downright creepy performances of the eighties. It’s hard to imagine anyone else playing the amyl nitrate-sucking Frank Booth in David Lynch’s eerie tale of his suburban underworld. One watch and you’ll never forget it.
HOOSIERS (1986)
The one and only time Dennis Hopper was nominated for an Academy Award he was able to borrow from real-life experiences of drug and alcohol abuse for his role as Shooter in Hoosiers. Here is one of those solid performances that you can feel as you watch– it has soul. It’s coming from somewhere other than just performance. Experience.
TRUE ROMANCE (1993)
It’s a brief and often overlooked performance from Hopper in the Tarantino-scripted True Romance, playing Christian Slater’s father and retired police officer. In a brilliant scene with Christopher Walken, Hopper delivers a staggering range of emotions while being interrogated as to the whereabouts of his runaway son. He crucially sells the dangerous nature of the antagonist he faces and, in doing so, sets the tone for the remainder of the film. In less capable hands, the entire movie might have suffered an even worse fate.
SPEED (1994)
Trust Dennis Hopper to take what could have so easily been a run-of-the-mill bad guy and turn it into one of the most memorable key antagonists of 90s action cinema. His role undoubtedly helped Speed become more than it was destined for, and for better or worse, flung Keanu Reeves and Sandra Bullock into A-list territory.
These are just a a few of the performances my brain rushes to when I hear the name Dennis Hopper. Of course, he boasts a deservedly long and illustrious filmography that also include some questionable roles in questionable films. Despite those missteps, however, nothing can take away from the brilliance of a man who conjured Easy Rider from nowhere and almost stole the film in Apocalypse Now. A truly remarkable talent.
RIP,
Dennis Hopper
(1936-2010)
