12 Awesome Performances That Saved Underwhelming Films

Man on Fire represents one of those occasions when critics got it absolutely right and audiences got it horribly wrong. The 39% on Rotten Tomatoes is far more appropriate than the film's preposterous 7.7 IMDb rating.

However, it starts out well by focusing on the character moments between Denzel Washington and Dakota Fanning. Dakota Fanning is her usual precocious self here and does a great job, but unfortunately she then disappears for much of the film.

Fanning is kidnapped and Washington completely loses it. The film becomes deeply monotonous as it devolves into Denzel going around Mexico City killing everyone. The fact that it's often dry and looks like it was filmed inside a rave doesn't help either. So, yeah, Man on Fire isn't very good, but it's not a terrible movie either. Why? Because of good ol' Denzel.

Denzel Washington is a terrific actor in nearly everything he does, and this is no exception. His tortured and intense, yet brilliantly subtle performance confirms him as an absolute master of understated acting. Thanks to him, the film's rote screenplay suddenly seems deep and his mission to rescue Fanning is far more believable and emotionally engaging. It's a true showcase of how a great performance can elevate mediocre material.