Jamie Foxx: 5 Awesome Performances And 5 That Sucked

2. President James Sawyer €“ White House Down

Just because it's a Roland Emmerich film, it doesn't mean you can phone it in. Indeed, had Foxx put a bit more sincerity into this, it might've come across as one of those amazingly sincere, ironic performances belonging in the same pantheon as Leslie Nielsen's doctor in Airplane. But instead, it's just a waste of a role, as a bafflingly small-looking Foxx (seriously, watch him back, he's smaller than everyone in this movie, barring the children) is content to coast on charm alone. And you know what? That's probably ok €“ Foxx is nothing if not charming, and it's nice to see him get away from scowling for a while. But this role just reeked of opportunity, and if you disagree, just look at the picture above. Remember, this is an Emmerich film €“ subtlety doesn't exist in these parts, and the fact the Presidency changes hand three times with one of that number dying and the other ending up in prison should tell you all you need to know. The fact of the matter is that Foxx could've rocked our socks off here, as only a President brandishing a rocket-launcher and hanging out the Presidential limo doing donuts on the White House lawn could. But there's just so little to him, aside from a smile and a pair of glasses. Aside from his very literal interpretation of the pen being mightier than the sword, President Sawyer utterly unmemorable. Shame, really.