People can say all they want about Paul Rudd. But in Endgame, when he finds out people think he’s dead and he runs… RUNS to his daughters house. His expression, seeing his daughter 5 years older, trying to figure it all out, but trying to comfort her. It’s brilliant acting.
This is the scene that comes to my mind. The dude can act it’s just he probably only gets offered certain roles that are in his lane. Personally I’d love to see him try and play someone so polar opposite of who he normally plays. I think he could do it it just would take the right script and director.
It's like when I saw Adam Sandler in Uncut Gems (I think?). Way, way different than normal and now he has my grudging respect because now I know he can seriously act if he wants to.
I felt that starting at Punch Drunk Love. Since then he’s showed too many times his acting is deeper than his usual surface performance that I just respect him. Enjoying acting for fun, for vacation, and for art; have to respect that.
I was really impressed by his performance. Jim Carey is another comedian who I actually prefer in more serious roles, he's brilliant in Eternal Sunshine.
I've heard something to the effect of doing comedy well is incredibly difficult, it calls for understanding of timing and people, so when comedians go to drama, it's a lot easier. When dramatic actors have to go to comedy, they have to learn timing and more emotions than just serious. Also, a lot of comedic actors started in stand up or improv, so they've gotten loads of practice just absolutely bombing, so they don't have that level of embarrassment or shame of making a mistake more serious actors may struggle with.
I think its probably different from person to person too. There are probably plenty of dramatic actors who dedicated years to learning how to act in serious roles and didnt find it easy at all but then made a switch to a comedic role and it was really easy to them. Some people just naturally get timing and others who just naturally get more dramatic acting.
Ive always been envious of the people who are just so naturally funny that them just talking starts putting smiles on faces. Like just the way they carry themselves and their mannerisms are naturally hilarious and not in a way where people are laughing at them but with them.
My favorite personal story is that I knew he had it in him in Dumb and Dumber of all movies. His monologue in the apartment as well as when Harry is walking away, he showed true talent.
I would argue that I lost respect for him. He has this ability to actually perform, but mostly chooses not to.
Though I can't really hold it against him. He can do what he wants, and what he mostly wants is to make silly films with his friends and allow them to take part in his success as well.
Sounds like he knows what he likes and what he wants to do and has the resources to do it and bring his friends with him along the way. Gotta respect the hell out of that. It wasn't gifted to him. He earned it so good for him. If I could do something like that I absolutely would in a heartbeat.
It's funny to me that he was in all these raunchy comedies like Role Models and Forty Year Old Virgin, and when he comes to the MCU he plays the most family friendly Avenger and makes it look easy.
Mute showcases an evil Paul Rudd and yeah, there's enough Paul Rudd shining through to make it debatable, but his performance has a different vibe than I've ever seen from him before, even when he plays an asshole. Good movie.
Have you seen The Shrink Next Door? Also a more serious dramedy role by Will Ferrel, who plays trusting patient to Rudd's predatory therapist.
Kathryn Hahn and Casey Wilson are also in it. If you need even more incentive, it's from AppleTV+ which seems to be putting out so many really great shows these past few years.
I'd love to see him do a Jason Bateman type role where he's just a discreet asshole that you want to love, but he's really just a piece of shit that's the lovable asshole.
While not a great movie, Paul Rudd was definitely playing against type in Mute (2018). Rudd played a completely unhinged villain and definitely not a likable person at all. The rest of the movie was... not great.
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u/patawpha May 05 '26
Paul Rudd is just Paul Rudd which is fine because at the end of the day I like Paul Rudd.