The first time I saw Ben Affleck was in School Ties, but I didn’t really realize he was in that until he started getting famous later with Good Will Hunting and Armageddon. I mean, sure, he wasn’t a great actor in the beginning. He was really smiley, and he relied a lot on his charm to get through the movie. We can say that about a lot of actors. The problem with Ben was that the bubble hit him somewhere around 2003, and it looked like he might fade out of Hollywood. Then came Hollywoodland, and the performance that changed it all. Since then, he’s had great performances in State Of Play, The Town, and Argo, and he’s turned into a fantastic director as well. We’re in a Benissance, if you will.
BEST PERFORMANCE:
You may expect me to pick Argo, but I really think his best performance was in Gone Girl, because it utilized everything about how Ben Affleck used to be as an actor, and merged it with who he had become. He was smiley and charming, but also really connected to the role, and willing to go dark. I will say, I’m actually a huge fan of Armageddon, even though I realize it’s silly. I just like watching it. Guilty Pleasure.
MOST ICONIC ROLE
I’d say most people have probably seen Armageddon, so that might be his most well-known film. Ben Affleck, unfortunately, is more “iconic” for his tabloid presence and his many different Jennifer pairings and friendship with Matt Damon.
MOST UNDERRATED PERFORMANCE:
We pretty much realize that his post-2006 performances are winners, but I’d say he was also really good in Changing Lanes which signaled what we didn’t know would become his future. It’s the first glimmer of talent we saw from him, and the first time the stakes felt real.
BEST PERFORMANCE I’VE HEARD WAS GOOD BUT HAVEN’T SEEN
As you can see from the list below, I’m well versed in Affleck. However, I didn’t see Company Men, and I’ve wanted to for a long time.
WORST PERFORMANCE
Gigli is too easy. But, honestly, it’s Gigli.
TOP 10 BEN AFFLECK ROLES:
1) Nick Dunne in Gone Girl
2) Tony Mendez in Argo
3) Doug MacRay in The Town
4) George Reeves in Hollywoodland
5) Stephen Collins in State Of Play
6) Gavin Banek in Changing Lanes
7) Bartelby in Dogma
8) Jim Young in Boiler Room
9) Chuckie Sullivan in Good Will Hunting
10) Holden McNeil in Chasing Amy
Guilty Pleasure Winner: AJ Frost in Armageddon
Roles/Films I’ve Seen:
1) School Ties (1992)
2) Chasing Amy (1997)
3) Good Will Hunting (1997)
4) Armageddon (1998)
5) Shakespeare In Love (1998)
6) Forces Of Nature (1999)
7) Dogma (1999)
8) Boiler Room (2000)
9) Reindeer Games (2000)
10) Bounce (2000)
11) Pearl Harbor (2001)
12) Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back (2001)
13) Changing Lanes (2002)
14) The Sum of All Fears (2002)
15) Daredevil (2003)
16) Gigli (2003)
17) Paycheck (2003)
18) Jersey Girl (2003)
19) Surviving Christmas (2004)
20) Clerks II (2006)
21) Hollywoodland (2006)
22) Smokin Aces (2006)
23) He’s Just Not That Into You (2009)
24) State Of Play (2009)
25) Extract (2009)
26) The Town (2010)
27) Argo (2012)
28) To The Wonder (2012)
29) Gone Girl (2014)
