Why do actors star in rom-coms with Reese Witherspoon? It's the cinematic equivalent of selling your soul to the devil; yes, you may get an disproportionately high pay-check for it, but is the damage it does to your reputation really worth it? In This Means War she doesn't just drag down one, but two perfectly fine actors; Chris Pine and Tom Hardy are CIA agents who find out they're dating the same girl. Hijinks, and a major abuse of government budget, ensue. This film came out in 2012, at which point Hardy's star was strong in ascent, so there's no real excuse for him appearing in such tat, nor is there any defending such a half-hearted performance. His indistinct British accent is a far cry the smoothness of Eames and he literally spends the whole film staring off camera with one of three looks on his face, presumably to titillate the few people who went to see this for non-sadist purposes. The film saves the worst for last. At the end, while on a skydiving mission Pine (who got the main girl) reveals to Hardy that he slept with his new wife years ago, presumably payback for Hardy having slept with Witherspoon. Only, and this is so crass I need to point out it's actually in the film and I'm not making it up, Hardy was only pretending he done the deed for bants. He leaps at Pine screaming "YOU SLEPT WITH MY WIIIIIIIFE" and tackles him out of the plane. Where's Bane when you need him? What's your favourite Hardy performance? And what's his worst? Share your thoughts down in the comments.
