Sam Rockwell, with his bristling physical energy and knack for dry humour, used to be the ideal sidekick. He started his career with tiny roles in the late 1980s, proving his talent in the years since then to land leading parts in critically acclaimed films like Moon and Matchstick Men. He plays a sexy-dad love interest opposite Keira Knightley in Say When, out in UK cinemas this week, so we’re revisiting some of his top performances to date. The comments section is all yours – let us know which films you would pick.
Box of Moonlight
Eccentric Rockwell, show yourself. As the Kid in Tom DiCillo’s 1996 film, he played the pitch-perfect manic pixie dream guy of sorts – minus the romance – for Jon Turturro’s middle-aged, depressingly average Al Fountain. Wouldn’t it be a treat if we could all head into the woods to call on a stranger’s rough-edged philosophies, and fend off impending mid-life crises?
Lawn Dogs
In his first lead role, Rockwell strayed into earthier, and more modest territory than as the Kid. He played lawnmower man Trent, the odd one out in a wealthy suburb – and the type of guy who had no qualms getting his kit off in the middle of the road for a quick dive into the stream beneath a bridge. The role, played alongside an 11-year old Mischa Barton in her feature film debut, earned him best actor awards at both the Sitges and Montreal World film festivals.
Moon
Not unlike Sandra Bullock’s largely solo celestial performance in Gravity, Rockwell carried the bulk of Moon by himself. He played astronaut Sam Bell, a father and husband with just three weeks left on his own in a residential lunar facility, and tapped into primal fears of death, loneliness and the futility of existence. Light stuff, then. His exploration of the realms of sanity and the value of human life earned him several international award nominations and best actor wins at Sitges and Seattle’s film festivals.
Confessions of a Dangerous Mind
Rockwell brought a charm and a niggling mania to his portrayal of real-life game show creator, and self-proclaimed CIA agent, Chuck Barris. In the George Clooney-directed spy comedy, he navigated an entertaining and layered storyline, flitting between his ordinary life as a hugely successful pioneer of lowbrow game shows and double-life as a murderous agent. Rockwell pulled in a few more best actor wins at film festivals for his commitment to the part.
Choke
Rockwell shone as anti-hero Victor Mancini, in this Clark Gregg adaptation of Chuck Palahniuk’s novel. Rather than manufacture meth for cancer treatment money à la Breaking Bad, Mancini feigned near-fatal choking accidents in plush restaurants to swindle sympathy cash out of fellow diners for his mother’s hospital bills. Add a sex addiction and a dead-end job, and you’re left with one of Rockwell’s wryest roles to date.
