Acting Naturally: The Magic in Great Performances

by David Thomson

From the celebrated film critic and author of The New Biographical Dictionary of Film, a fascinating look at some of the cinema’s finest actors and how they approach their craft

"Open to any page and you’ll become enthralled by the...tales of forgotten film lore, childhood memories, sexy gossip.”—Philip Kaufman, director

Meryl Streep, Marlon Brando, Anthony Hopkins, Carey Mulligan. When we watch these remarkable actors in a performance, we see only Sophie, Stanley Kowalski, Hannibal Lecter, or Cassie from Promising Young Woman. How are they able to transform our world in this way? How and why do they do what they do?

In Acting Naturally, David Thomson sheds light on the actors who have shaped the film industry. He shrewdly analyzes these stars—among them, James Dean, Nicole Kidman, Denzel Washington, Louise Brooks, Riz Ahmed, Sir Laurence Olivier, Viola Davis, and Jean Seberg—revealing how a sly smile, an extra-long pause, even a small gesture of the hand can draw in an audience. And he takes us behind the scenes to examine casting and all the other moments leading up to “Action!”

Through intimate anecdote, humor, and the insight born of a lifetime watching and analyzing film, Thomson explores the real reasons why we go to the movies and looks at how they influence our lives. This book is not only necessary reading for an insider’s view of the industry but also a surprising investigation of the relationship between acting and living.

Genres: Film, Nonfiction

251 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 7, 2023

About the author

David Thomson, renowned as one of the great living authorities on the movies, is the author of The New Biographical Dictionary of Film, now in its fifth edition. His books include a biography of Nicole Kidman and The Whole Equation: A History of Hollywood. Thomson is also the author of the acclaimed "Have You Seen . . . ?": A Personal Introduction to 1,000 Films. Born in London in 1941, he now lives in San Francisco.

Reviews

[Gayle]

I thought this book would be more technical, almost scientific, but no: it's philosophical, personal, and rambling. I realized this when on page one, in the intro before the book even started, the author laid out his daddy issues in detail. More significantly though, I've never heard of the majority of the actors and movies mentioned, and the ones I do know I don't know that well. This is because I barely even watch movies lol. So nothing personal but I bowed out of this book pretty fast.

[Ran Levy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Too niche for me

[Sara Baker · Rating 2 out of 5]

Meandering, with the distance of a critic and the adoration of a fan. I was hoping for a real exploration of craft.

[John Schorg · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is standard Thomson...lots of bloviation, yet several memorable bits. The highlights here involve Carey Mulligan, Anthony Hopkins, Jo Van Fleet, an imagining of "Last Tango in Paris" with Marlon Brando and Meryl Streep, and, most of all, a short chapter about Harrison Ford and David Blaine. This isn't as essential as his biographical dictionary or "Have You Seen?," but it's worth a look.

[Randy L. Smith · Rating 3 out of 5]

Have you heard "don't overthink it"? Well, Mr. Thomson has definitely overthought his analysis. Do actors bring this much nuance to their craft? Sure it happens, but is it premeditated? I think not.
it happened - it worked - they kept it

[Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I truly enjoyed most of this, especially the author’s narration, but lost interest near the end with some of his imagined pairings of great actors. I definitely plan to watch many of the films discussed.

[T Fool · Rating 5 out of 5]

This merges three things not really found in other books on cinema: a) acute knowledge, critical savvy; b) psychological lens full enough to sight on-screen skills and allure with audience wish-fulfillment and real-life mimicry; and c) a true writing gift.

Thomson is the master.

[Linda Weber · Rating 3 out of 5]

Informative regarding the film industry, some Hollywood stars. First 1/3 reads quickly and is quite interesting, the rest is challenging if one is not in the field, however, good bits pop up along the way.

[David · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thomson's books are getting more self indulgent and less interesting and his Donald Trump obsession is grating.

[Lila · Rating 1 out of 5]

boring. couldn’t get through more than 50 pages. this guy seems to not know much abt acting and most of the book are his inferences abt it. a whole lotta fluff!

[John · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thompson can be alternately enlightening and tiresome.

[Connie Kronlokken]

A bit pretentious, interested in Acting, with a capital A. A few interesting ideas, such as a reference to how much we all become Actors.