MovieChat Forums > Tootsie (1982) Discussion > Sydney Pollack acting

Sydney Pollack acting

posted 14 years ago by CoolHandLuke_87
36 replies | jump to latest

I find Sydney Pollack an incredible actor - very natural actor, aware of his body language. It's a shame he didn't act in the 70s alongside Redford perhaps.

[–] babyfir77 14 years ago

Agreed! My kids and I re-watched the movie last night.....Pollack was very convincing. But his main interest was not acting, I suppose! He sure directed many top stars, though!

[–] Phillip Marlowe 14 years ago

He was also teriffic in a key supporting part in Micheal Clayton. His last role, I believe.

[–] Potzdorf 14 years ago

Eyes Wide Shut, my friend. Eyes Wide Shut.

[–] Joe X. 14 years ago

I totally agree. In a movie chock full of funny scenes, his with Dustin Hoffman are the funniest.

What was the Woody Allen movie he was in? Husbands and Wives? He was awesome in that, too.

[–] KDinCT 14 years ago

Absolutely agree. The scenes in his office and at the Russian Tea Room where two of the best in the movie. Just fantastic chemistry between he and Hoffman.

[–] sirjeremy 14 years ago

Yes, he was wonderful and I'd have liked to have seen him get an Oscar nomination for this. My favourite scene of his is the 'You were a tomatoe!' moment. Priceless.

[–] washcloud 9 years ago

Hah, exactly : his outburst of "you were a tomato! A tomato dosn't have logic!" was a masterpiece. Exceptional use of body language - very lifelike performance.

Memory is a wonderful thing if you don't have to deal with the past

[–] stevenackerman69 14 years ago

He started out as an actor. He didn't want to originally act in this picture because he was directing it. It was Hoffman who convinced him to play the role of George.

[–] Prismark10 14 years ago

Actor turned director who then went on to become a noted character/cameo actor.

Its that man again!!

[–] jac91604 14 years ago

Yes Sydney Pollack was as good in front of the camera as he was behind the camera.

[–] pjpurple-1 13 years ago

After I saw this movie I was surprised to learn that acting wasn't his main job. He was so great at it.

He had some of the best lines in the movie like "God forbid you should lose your standing as a cult failure."

One of the funniest moments was when Michael told George that Sandy thought he was gay. His advice was to sleep with her.

Michael said "I did. She still thinks I'm gay."

George replies "That's not so good." LOL I crack up every time I hear that.

[–] SataiDelen 12 years ago

Oh yes! This is my favorite scene! (the "she thinks I'm gay" scene)

The other scene I love is the "live" scene for the soap. When Van Horn leans forward and says, "Does Jeff know?" That was just priceless!

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[–] Benihanahasnofunflare 13 years ago

Hoffman got played! lol.

[–] cmichaud 13 years ago

Couldnt agree more, he was a terrific actor, but then I've found many directors are good actors, too. Garry Marshall comes to mind, stole every scene he was in on "Murphy Brown"

[–] duranduranruler 13 years ago

He also played Will's father in the TV show Will & Grace.

[–] Quentin36 13 years ago

I watched again last night and was thinking the exact same thing. He was excellent in Tootsie. He was also very good in the Sopranos for a couple of episodes.

RIP Sydney

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