Sam Rockwell, who I'm embarrassed to admit I first noticed as the villain in Charlie's Angels, is a highly talented but quieter force in the entertainment industry. To many, his name is not nearly as recognizable as his face, which has appeared in everything from Galaxy Quest to The Green Mile.
In The Green Mile, Rockwell plays "Wild Bill" Wharton, a despicable man who has committed horrible crimes. In arguably one of the best roles of his career so far, the actor plays the character almost comically until we realize exactly how disgusting he really is.
I recently watched Confessions of a Dangerous Mind, a movie directed by George Clooney, written by Charlie Kaufman, and starring Sam Rockwell. Rockwell has a lead role as Chuck Barris, a real life TV producer who has claimed to kill thirty-three people while working for the CIA. Rockwell plays the character quirkily and effectively. He managed to make the character unlikeable and yet still make me care about what happens to him.
You may recognize him in bigger films such as The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy and Matchstick Men. In recent years, the actor has made himself known in The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford, Frost/Nixon, and as the sex obsessed lead role in Choke.
Most recently he has starred in the highly rated film, Moon, for which he has gotten stellar reviews. Reviewer Peter Howell remarks, "The under-appreciated Rockwell finally gets a leading role – make that roles – worthy of his considerable talent. He's entirely believable as a man whose professional skills and discipline are pushed to the brink by fatigue and unexplained events." I have yet to see this film myself, but as soon as I find a theater close to me playing it (or as soon as it comes out on DVD) I will rush to see it. I suggest you do the same
To me, Rockwell's draw is his quirk, odd sex appeal, and the commitment he has to each of his characters. He's no Brad Pitt or Johnny Depp, but his enormous talent is just as worthy of attention.
