Robert Duvall: 5 Awesome Performances And 5 That Sucked

3. Euliss F. 'Sonny' Dewey - The Apostle

The Apostle isn't anywhere near the most famous film to feature Robert Duvall, but it does contain what many believe to be his most assured acting performance. Stick on the DVD and you'll see why. Playing an incredibly flawed preacher who attempts to find redemption after murdering his wife's lover (you read that right), Duvall is downright mesmerising from the very first frame to the very last: it's near-on transformative. The plot concerns said preacher's attempts to find himself in the backwoods of America, as he channels his energies into the construction of a church. What's more, Duvall actually wrote and directed this picture, and was nominated for an Oscar for his work as an actor. Much of the film consists of Duvall delivering huge, bombastic speeches - utterly convincing in every one. The very definition of "acting," this is beautiful stuff.