Jeff Bridges: 5 Awesome Performances And 5 That Sucked

5 Awesome Performances...

5. Jack - The Fisher King

Bridges has teamed with director (and former Python) Terry Gilliam on a number of occasions, but the first time was the best. Following the untimely death of co-star Robin Williams earlier this year The Fisher King has come under some critical reappraisal and rediscovery by audiences, and whilst Williams definitely steals the show - in the way that only he could - we shouldn't forget about how good Bridges is in the film. Because he is really, really good, as a cynical radio shock jock who goes off the deep end a little when an ill-thought-out quip during his call-in show inspired a an unstable caller to commit a mass murder at a popular Manhattan bar. Bridges has become known for his ability to play larger-than-life characters, so it's refreshing to see him fully commit to a straight dramatic role. Well, as straight a dramatic role as you can get in the hands of Terry Gilliam, because the despondent DJ is rescued from committing suicide by Williams' deranged homeless man, who thinks he's on a mission to find the Holy Grail. From there Bridges is inspired to help get Williams' life back on track (he entered a catatonic state after the death of his wife, retreating into a hallucinatory fantasy world), finding redemption through saving the life of another. It's a powerful, fantastical drama that's absolutely carried by the performances of Robin Williams and Jeff Bridges as a haunted, broken man trying to rediscover his lust for life.