13 Bravest Acting Performances Of 2014

4. Randall Park As Kim Jong-Un - The Interview

You probably hadn't heard of the name Randall Park until about three weeks ago when The Interview was preparing for release. Prior to his role here, he largely played small, supporting parts in hit comedies, but after his fantastically ballsy work as North Korean Supreme Leader Kim Jong-un, one suspects that's all about to change. Quite surprising it is, in fact, that given how much attention has been paid to Seth Rogen and James Franco's parts in the movie, that more hasn't been made of Park's role in thoroughly humiliating the dictator...considering that he plays the freaking guy. As if playing an unflattering rendition of a real-life political figure wasn't brave enough, what's really great about this performance is that, at least for the first half of the movie, he imbues Kim with an unexpected likeability and vulnerability rather than just simplistically depicting him as a one-sided tyrannical maniac. Sure, that part comes in later too, but as a satirical send-up of one of the world's most maligned public figures, it's a brilliant performance, and easily the best part of the movie without which, of course, there would be no movie at all.