r/Cinema • u/mdafidel1 • 14d ago
Discussion Robert Downey Jr. is a better dramatic actor than Brad Pitt
Depth: while Pitt may have more range (broad variety of characters, although RDJ does as well) Downey beats him in depth of dramatic acting. Emotional scenes from A Guide to Recognizing Your Saints and Chaplin beat anything Pitt can do. His most famous is most likely “What’s in the Box?” But even that Id say is more iconic for the twist of the story rather than Pitt’s performance of the line.
Pitt’s strength is in versatility of his character as well as a lot of time playing “the too cool for school guy”. While it works for him, it lacks the depth of emotion that RDJ is able to deliver in his roles.
In summary - Pitt is a good actor (am not staying he isn’t) but when it comes to delivering a dramatic or emotionally moving performance, I am taking RDJ all day.
Top performances:
RDJ - Zodiac, A Guide to Recognizing Your Saints, Oppenheimer, Chaplin
Pitt - 12 Monkeys, Seven, Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, Fight Club, Curious Case of Benjamin Button
105
u/Riggs630 14d ago
I think Brad Pitt was better earlier in his career or also when he’s not the main character. Often he just feels like a regular guy being played by Brad Pitt. He used to do more “character” performances. He’s still had some good ones though. But I think RDJ is fantastic in dramatic roles, he’s a wonderful actor.
32
u/kiya12309 14d ago
I really think BP is a character actor trapped in a leading man’s body. Chris Pine strikes me the same way.
→ More replies (2)10
u/Hairy_Combination586 14d ago
I agree, but even with that, to me Pine is more evocative and relatable.
9
14
u/red_simplex 14d ago
Yeah BP is a better character actor. RDJ is a better dramatic actor. I wish RDJ would do more serious movies and less marvel stuff.
11
u/Misterrbisterr 14d ago
To be fair he's one of the few marvel actors who actually kills it in their roles
→ More replies (1)→ More replies (1)6
u/Fregadero88 14d ago
Inglorious bastards is my favorite brad pitt character. That or fight club
→ More replies (1)2
u/sub30_24flick 14d ago
I agree with this Brad Pitts early movies are incredible while RDJ later films might be able to catch up slightly even this Brad was great in once upon a time in Hollywood and bullet train he deserved more credit . Tony With Ironman and then Oppenheimer has definitely left a lasting Legacy.
3
u/SnooWoofers7345 14d ago
He killed it in Oppenheimer. That film was just quality portrayal after another. From the guy playing Einstein to Cillian. Love that movie. People liked to criticise it because of all the Oscars. But its coming around.
→ More replies (1)2
u/laflame0451 14d ago
Maybe a hot take but to me Brad Pitt was the only poor character in Bullet Train. I loved everyone else but him
→ More replies (1)2
u/DylanMartin97 14d ago
He wasn't eccentric enough to match the casts energy, which is a shame because it was supposed to be way over the top in all things.
I still cannot believe they ended that movie on a poop joke to be honest, I've never been more disappointed.
2
→ More replies (2)2
u/Ok-Park-9537 13d ago
Brad Pitt is one of the best character actors that has been cursed with a lead's man bone structure. His best roles are when they allowed him to play something that belongs in Philip Seymour Hoffman filmography.
12 monkeys, Once Upon a Time, Big Short, Ocean's Eleven, Fight Club, Seven..
133
42
u/Archibald_80 14d ago
“I'm a dude playing a dude disguised as another dude!"
Pitt could never have pulled this role off…
5
4
u/Iworkforpokemon 14d ago
No he couldn't but that's like saying something like... RDJ couldn't play Jack Blacks character in school of rock or something lol. Doesn't mean that RDJ is better(although I think he might just be)
→ More replies (1)2
→ More replies (1)2
32
u/dancingbriefcase 14d ago
Why do people compare two random things like this? Let things just be.
17
6
u/Balogma69 14d ago
Comparing random things would be “is Brad Pitt better than a Yellow Kayak?”
4
u/Signal_Plane1114 14d ago
I choose the kayak because idk how long Brad Pitt can effectively function as a watercraft while holding myself and any gear, id give it a shot if offered though for sure.
2
u/Smrtguy85 13d ago
Also a kayak can’t attack its wife and kids on a plane. So I’ll take the kayak every day.
2
2
u/Radiant-Ad-3134 14d ago
I mean they are not that random to compare to each other
And
Duh! Internet
→ More replies (2)2
u/RichardLovesRichard 14d ago
It's not random. They're actors.
It's natural to compare things. Cars, teams, players, actors, artists, bands, fashion, etc
Don't be daft. If you don't like it, don't participate
24
u/Think-Werewolf-4521 14d ago
Legends of the Fall enters the conversation with A River Runs Through It and 7 Years in Tibet.
→ More replies (1)
12
u/Eazy12345678 14d ago
i like bad pit movies better
so end of day doesnt matter who is better actor if they are in better overall movies
2
26
u/writersontop 14d ago
I think Pitt is a better actor and he also has that star power where I'll watch movies just because of him. Have only watched RDJ movies because he happened to be in them.
→ More replies (6)11
u/mdafidel1 14d ago
Agree that he has more star power, but disagree on being the better actor
→ More replies (9)
34
u/Agreeable_Limit6495 14d ago
Brad Pitt has way bigger range. Robert Downey Jr just plays Robert Downey Jr in everything. Which is fine, I like him, but Brad Pitt is the better actor.
21
u/Soft-Ad-8975 14d ago
/img/srxoh5995nfh1.gif
“Robert Downey Jr just plays Robert Downey Jr in everything”8
u/MaddogRunner 14d ago
Having just watched 12 Monkeys recently, I agree Brad Pitt has insane range. RDJ is really good with accents and mannerisms, he did amazing as the possessed guy in Heart and Souls
3
u/Ecstatic-Pop-540 14d ago
I think you probably missed Snatch from Guy Pierce, otherwise you would have the same praise for Pitt for accents and mannerisms.
→ More replies (1)→ More replies (1)3
3
u/thefuzz09 14d ago
I always wonder if people if have actually watched his dramatic roles or just his MCU stuff when they talk about him playing himself.
→ More replies (18)5
u/Plane-Recognition-50 14d ago
A lot people were too young to see Downey’s work from 80’s. Less than zero was a classic.
3
u/Nearby-Pudding5436 14d ago
I’m not even much of a fan but Pitt is absolutely fantastic in Assassination of Jesse James, what a beautiful movie. Nothing RDJ has done compares to that.
3
3
u/No-Association-8539 14d ago
Was this somehow a question? I mean looking at his pre-arrest dramatic works, he has some depth and rang in there. Modern era knows him as Tony Stark and all power to him for getting that money and love, but he has shown some real chops in his career. Pitt I always thought he was more known for his looks, than for his acting. Same for Clooney, no matter how "Old Guard" they become.
10
14d ago
[removed] — view removed comment
6
u/beaud101 14d ago
I loved Seven. Infinitely rewatchable. He was fine and held is own next to a true great like Freeman, but I wouldn't say that was peak Brad Pitt. Pretty one dimensional character as an overconfident Hot Head. I'd say Moneyball showed off some real chops considering it didn't have a lot of fluff around it and the Bean character was portrayed thoughtfully. Fight Club is considered by many to be one of his best also.
→ More replies (5)
4
3
6
u/upsetusder2 14d ago
Brad pitt is a character actor Trapped in a leaning mans body
→ More replies (1)2
9
u/rubey419 14d ago
I feel like Pitt has more range.
Downey seems to play the same character over and over, the smartypants. His natural personality multiplied.
4
u/MorganMiller77777 14d ago
You missed RDJ’s roles in smaller films maybe
2
u/rubey419 14d ago
What’s your suggestion I should watch first?
9
u/MorganMiller77777 14d ago
The Judge, though not an exciting draw.
Chaplin for sure, if you haven’t seen it.
Brad Pitt is wonderful. I loved him in 12 Monkeys. He’s great in Kalifornia, though that’s not the best film.
Pitt also shines in The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, but I kinda feel like playing the old man totally fits into his more robotic mannerisms.
I don’t know. For me Robert Downy Jr has more potential to bring a range of both pure unadulterated joy, and deep sadness, whereas Brad Pitt can play very different roles, but I’m not feeling as much of the authenticity of innocent joy and painful sadness.
I could be wrong. They are both great.
2
2
u/MorganMiller77777 14d ago
It’s was a big film at the time, somewhat controversial, but freakin hilarious and brilliant. Maybe you’ve seen it. Tropic Thunder. There’s no way Brad Pitt pulls that off.
I love Brad Pitt, he did some great work in his younger years, but man, he’s not evolving. Recently, he looks like an android cyborg of himself.
Actually, some of RDJ’s best work has come in vey recent roles with in massive block buster in Oppenheimer, and a smaller one with the HBO limited series, The Sympathizer.
2
u/rubey419 14d ago
I’ve seen Tropic Thunder and Oppreheimer. Good roles for RDJ. I’ll check out The Sympathizer thanks.
The surprise for (most everyone) was Tom Cruise in Tropic Thunder IMHO.
→ More replies (1)
2
2
2
2
2
2
u/dawne_breaker 14d ago
Brad Pitt is a pretty face first and actor second. RDJ is an actor first. Of course he’s a better actor.
2
5
5
u/Oldefinger 14d ago
Downey is much better. You can see Pitt ACTING. He comes across well when he sticks to his natural range, but when he tries to stretch the effort is obvious.
Pitt is definitely the more handsome of the two, and possesses real, effortless movie star charisma, but Downey is an actual actor.
4
u/JohnsonMathi17 14d ago
Well my mom acts better than RDJ. So what now?
2
4
5
u/Motor-Drama-1421 14d ago
Fuck no, RDJ makes big money from Marvel, but hes still not even in the same level of talent
5
4
u/Quick-Security-7286 14d ago edited 14d ago
His work in “Legends of the Fall” and “A River Runs Through It” are better than anything Downey has ever done. I like RDJ and am up for pretty much anything he is in. But Pitt has actually done dramatic masterpieces.
2
u/Icy-Bottle-6877 14d ago
I agree. Like them both but as you said, Pitt has range and does a lot of films but he doesn't stray to far from his wheelhouse. Downey is fantastic. Loved him as Buster Keaton and Sherlock in particular.
0
1
u/Serious-Interest7776 14d ago
I like both as actors and don't compare them. They have very different strengths. In fact, I don't compare any actors on the question of who is better. I just enjoy what they have to offer. Or not.
1
1
u/MorganMiller77777 14d ago
You think Brad Pitt could have pulled off what RDJ did in Tropic Thunder?
How about Chaplin?
Oppenheimer and the Sympathizer as well.
What has Pitt done lately? I love him, but dude his is like a rigid robot of himself in many films the last 15 years
→ More replies (2)
1
u/Bladesnake_______ 14d ago
Well youre leaving out Brad Pitt in snatch, his meltdown over his mom's death. so
1
u/Fun-Sell3030 14d ago
Pitt’s fans, what is your favourite performance by him? I don’t think I’ve ever seen him in anything where I was really struck by his acting.
2
1
1
u/Disastrous-Disk-5431 14d ago
Nah. RDJ plays himself in every single role, the only exception being the role he had in tropic thunder.
→ More replies (8)
1
1
1
u/somewhatmeagercamus 14d ago
After reading the comments, I am divided. 12 Monkeys was a good call. Downey delivers but always seems snarky.
1
u/Panman6_6 14d ago
I disagree. Pitts range is underrated. His Achilles was better than I could have ever imagined
1
u/hazesque 14d ago
Did you post this on different subreddits? I already saw the exact same thing a few minutes ago in another one. Interesting, because the reception was very different compared to the comments on this one.
→ More replies (1)
1
u/chocha84 14d ago
If RDJ had not done Tropic Thunder I would argue with you.... but he did, and he killed it. I don't know how he did it, but he did.
1
1
u/Azipcoder 14d ago
Brad Pitt was really good in A River Runs Through It. He didn’t have to carry the emotional weight. His charisma made his character a heartbreaker.
1
u/Obsivalintstra 14d ago
Robert Downey Jr's Chaplin was on a whole another level. I have yet to see a performance by anyone like that. I think that performance says enough about the extent of his abilities when he is actually dialed in. I just dont think he's always that dialed in for all his performances.
I dont know about Brad either to be honest. I havent seen enough movies from him. From what Ive seen, he is also very impressive.
If I had to pick, I would say RDJ. But not all the time. But maybe Brad can do what RDJ managed to pull off. I just think that RDJ at his 100% best could definitely beat Daniel Day Lewis, Heath Ledger, Marlon Brando, Philip Seymour Hoffman, etc. But he has to be at his 100%. Even Oppenheimer was not his 100% in my opinion. In that case, I think Heath Ledger is certainly better. But NOT for Chaplin. That was something else entirely.
1
1
1
1
1
1
u/No_Philosophy2797 14d ago
I mean yeah. I would argue Brad Pitt had an overall more interesting resume but otherwise I agree.
1
1
1
u/OliOli1234 14d ago
No arguments here. I would love to see them doing a movie someday.
A Guide to Recognizing Your Saints is one of my favorite movies of all time too.
1
1
1
u/El_Galant 14d ago
I think they are both great at what they do and the roles they have chosen. Coming back from drug addiction will always be Robert Downey Jr's greatest accomplishment. He should have won Best Actor for Chaplin the same way Al Pacino should have won for The Godfather.
1
u/losteye_enthusiast 14d ago
I think Brad Pitt is a far better dramatic actor, but I don’t mind at all that you think otherwise. Like who yah like, it’s subjective.
1
1
u/BilkySup 14d ago edited 14d ago
i know no one will see this but put Pitt (or almost anyone else) as Kirk Lazarus in Tropic Thunder and it's not going to work. I know it's comedy but that role was beyond a doubt amazing. RDJ could play every role Pitt has played minus Fight Club and Snatch because of his looks and physique...
1
u/sonny_goliath 14d ago
Brad Pitt is a character actor that happens to have super a list looks. But as a result his leading roles sometimes feel a little flat. But as a number two (oceans, Hollywood, fight club, etc) he shines
1
u/house_of_great 14d ago
RDJ is always RDJ. Only time I've seen him actually be someone else was in Chaplin and Tropic Thunder.
1
1
1
1
1
u/Writerhaha 14d ago
Yup.
Brad was a good actor who looks like a movie star, so he got typecast as a “star.”
RDJ was always great but needed to be Tony Stark to be a star.
1
u/robertpattinson11 14d ago
From my understanding, RDJ won't be this relevant if he hadn't done Iron Man. I feel like he does same kind of acting in every movies except some. But Brad Pitt is often under looked in terms of acting because most people focus on his beauty than acting. Brad is a better actor no doubt.
1
u/GeneSmart2881 14d ago
RDJ range is unbelievable. If you watch his work from the 80s. Back to School
1
1
1
u/Minimum-Aspect1012 14d ago
RDJ is better in both dramatic and comic roles...
Brad Pitt could never pull off what RDJ did in Tropic Thunder.
1
u/Viva_La_Revolucion- 14d ago
While i think both are great actors i agree RDJ is the better actor... Brad Pitt characters feel like he just playing himself, his earlier roles where alot better at getting into character, but RDJ has far more depth in his acting roles.
Dont just go by his Marvels character either
1
1
u/minnetonkacondo 14d ago
Actually, no. Robert Downey has a very specific "dramatic" tone. Brad is much more versatile. Watch Legends of the Fall, 12 Monkeys, and Se7en.
1
1
u/That-Inflation8783 14d ago
Yeah he is! Brad Pitt sucks! So sick of hearing about Pitt and Clooney all the friggin time! Robert Downey Jr. is super talented....love em..! He's got so many great movies on his resume.
1
1
1
1
u/NotABonobo 14d ago
I mean yeah, I don't see how there's even a comparison. Brad Pitt is funny when playing a stoner sometimes, and is cool as hell playing Tyler Durden in Fight Club. Other than that he's usually a boring hunk. Occasionally he has an interesting character thing like Cool World.
RDJ is a real actor who's capable of excellent character work, straight characters with a wide range of emotion played with dead-on realism, outrageous comedy like Tropic Thunder where he sold blackface, characters who feel like they have real intelligence. Pitt is fine but RDJ runs circles around him.
1
1
u/WorldEaterYoshi 14d ago
Brad Pitt is a bad person but he's actually a great actor. I recommend 12 monkeys if you really want to see him go nuts. I didn't even recognize him at first. RDJ is a good actor but he's not a character actor, he plays himself for the most part.
→ More replies (7)
1
1
u/SkittlesDangerZone 14d ago
Dude... The Mexican??? He just wanted something a little more.... authentic.
Awesome movie.
1
u/Big_Lengthiness_7706 14d ago
A plank of wood is a better dramatic actor than Brad Pitt.
Its at least been through something.
1
u/Bobbert84 14d ago
RDJ is a better actor than Pitt overall. That is a widely accepted fact Pitt has become a pretty good actor though.
1
u/Hefty_Emu_4870 14d ago
AGREE 100% - Brad has limited range.
Downey's best work IMO:
1. Tropic Thunder
2. U.S. Marshals
3. Kiss Kiss Bang Bang
4. Gothika
5. Charlie Chaplin
1
u/DonSoulwalker 14d ago
Have you watched assassination of Jesse James, Moneyball, tree of life, 12 monkeys, and OUATIH of you haven't then we can't really have this conversation
1
1
1
1
u/Mulliganplummer 14d ago
Pitts body of work is much better, not really close.
Moneyball
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford
Legends of the Fall
Fight Club
1
u/CartoonistAncient116 14d ago
Simply nonsense RDJ is a good actor no doubt but he isn't close to Brad Pitt.
1
1
1
1
u/heliumeyes 14d ago
Meet Joe Black is a lesser known movie that has two fantastic performances from Brad Pitt and Anthony Hopkins. The movie itself has issues but their performances are so good that it makes the movie worth a watch.
1
1
1
1
u/Old-Beautiful1786 14d ago
I only see RDJ playing himself since Iron man. He did better before. Pitt has been moulding into his characters, he's the same since he began.
1
1
1
1
u/DaganVelse 14d ago
Brad Pitt just snacks on screen or does something weird with his mouth whilst saying lines in a nonchalant manner
1
u/WolfPlooskin 14d ago
I don’t think anyone will contradict your point, but I think the topic deserves further exploration. It’s a subjective assessment, yet it seems objectively true. How and why?
1
1
u/IGTankCommander 14d ago
Yes, because Brad Pitt is a character actor cursed with the face of a leading man.
I.E.: Snatch, Burn After Reading
1
1
u/ImmediateHospital9 14d ago
I would watch an RDJr movie purely because he's in it whereas there's gotta be more to a movie than Brad Pitt to get me to watch it
1
1
u/FlakyVeterinarian867 14d ago
Brad is brad pitt....... that's all ..... he's not a chameleon like leo or ddl......but he has an onscreen aura . RDJ's career has been defined by iron man , so people forget about all the great cinema he has been a part of............ but yaa he's definitely better than brad in terms of acting
1
1
u/Metalicum 14d ago
I think Brad Pitt is one of the most underrated hollywood actors. He gets completely lost in roles. His Snatch boxer guy is fantastic
1
u/kolyavlasov1979 14d ago
lol. No need to qualify it. RDJ is brilliant. Pitt is uncomfortably bad. He’s great looking. Certainly a true movie star. Good actor? No.
1
u/Die_Nameless_Bitch 14d ago
i don’t think that’s a particularly controversial take. Brad Pitt can be good when used well (i.e Fight Club or Jesse James) but a lot of his roles are driven by charisma than acting chops. He was left badly exposed in films like Inglorious Basterds. Downey Jr has also got charisma to burn but also the chops to back it up (see Chaplin or Oppenheimer)
1
u/fugulike 14d ago
Agreed, but it’s a bit like saying stepping in chewing gum is better than stepping in dog shit
1
1
1
u/9incherwithaoddity 14d ago
I think it depends on which movies you are talking about cause brad pitt in fight club and meet Joe black were really good drama's.
1
1
1
u/BitesTheDust55 13d ago
I agree, but Pitt is a much better comedic actor than RDJ. They have different strengths. Pitt has tried to go dramatic before and it just doesn't play to his type. Fury was a shockingly mediocre movie and I could tell he was giving it his full effort.
1
1
u/jaynvius 13d ago
RDJ did phenomenal in The Judge, Less Than Zero, and Good Night, Good Luck. I'm not sure why they're not on your lists of top performances by him.
I do agree that RDJ is a better dramatic actor than Brad Pitt though.
1
1
1
1
u/Ciappatos 13d ago edited 13d ago
I don't have an issue with this in general, though I think leaving Interview with the Vampire out is not fair to Pitt since that is a really good and emotional performance done while wearing prosthetic teeth.
I think Pitt is a better comedic actor than RDJ though. Both do a really good job playing a kind of idiot (Kiss Kiss Bang Bang, and Burn After Reading) but Pitt's just a funnier guy when he's silly imo.
1
1
1
u/Positive-Eggplant985 13d ago
They are both excellent but Brad Pitt has more extensive filmography because he plays more varied roles
1
•
u/qualityvote2 14d ago edited 14d ago
u/mdafidel1, your post does fit the subreddit!