Best manic movie moments of Vince Vaughn
Created by fundater2000 on 06 Jan 2009 | Tagged as:
Best manic moments from the average Joe
with the motor mouth and rat-a-tat wit
with the motor mouth and rat-a-tat wit
By Kim Morgan
Special to MSN Movies
Special to MSN Movies
Vince Vaughn? Does he really deserve a “best of,” you ask? Sure, the comedic talent and tabloid evader has become a star du jour thanks to last year’s mega-successful “Wedding Crashers” (and his off-screen pairing with Jennifer Aniston), but to us, the motor-mouthed star and self-described “tall drink of water” has been a secret threat for more than a decade.
Since his splash in the much-loved indie hit “Swingers,” Vaughn has always been known but never appreciated at the level he deserved. Hollywood likes to clump actors in categories (the hot guy, the rebel, the comedian, the character, the heavy), and Vaughn has always been, well, a little too different. The guy is handsome, but weirdly so — enough to mark him as something of a character actor. He’s also a rare combination of cynical, edgy wit and average Joe warmth, a guy’s guy, a best friend but thankfully never, ever sappy. And quite clearly, he’s funny. And not just easy funny but uniquely, off-the-cuff, rapid-fire, scene-stealing and, in some instances, just plain brilliant funny.
Wilson, Vaughn and Ferrell, along with pals Ben Stiller, Jack Black and Owen’s brother Luke, have formed an unofficial acting company. They show up in one another’s films, be it Anchorman, Old School or Dodgeball, without regard to the size of their roles or their billing. It’s fun they’re after, and in Wedding Crashers three of these new clown princes deliver the goods.
Meet The Parents (2000): Stiller, O. Wilson;
Zoolander (2001): Stiller, O. Wilson, Ferrell;
The Royal Tenenbaums (2001): Stiller, O. Wilson, L. Wilson;
Old School (2003): Ferrell, Vaughn, L. Wilson;
Starsky & Hutch (2004): Stiller, O. Wilson, Vaughn, Ferrell;
Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story (2004): Stiller, Vaughn;
Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy (2004): Ferrell, Stiller, Vaughn, L. Wilson;
Meet the Fockers (2004): Stiller, O. Wilson;
Wedding Crashers (2005): Vaughn, O. Wilson, Ferrell.
Know your Frat Pack! Ben Stiller is the tightly coiled workaholic, pecs and brain muscles rippling in rhythm; he’s both the Idea Man and the Body. Will Ferrell is the galvanizing force of nature, macho-suave yet thrumming with reserves of sugar-smacked hysteria, hairy of chest and manner yet unafraid to cry like a girl or scream like a woman. Luke Wilson is the puppyish boy next door, useful as straight man, cuckold, corruptible innocent, or all-around pathos provider. Luke’s brother Owen is, immortally, the Butterscotch Stallion (a superhero designation bestowed by gossip website Defamer), dazed yet pensive, a golden halation of cannabinoid vibeology, surfer orbs glazing into the distance in eternal search of that perfect wave. And Vaughn, something of a utility player, is either the phlegmatic layabout or, more often, the sardonic motormouth, the poker of ribs, the shit stirrer.
10. “Mr. & Mrs. Smith” (2005)
How do you upstage Brad Pitt? Start dating his ex-wife? No, no, no, we didn’t just say that. Instead, cast him as assassin Pitt’s boss, have him continually disheveled and, here’s the topper, still living with his mother. In a role Vaughn clearly ad-libbed his way through, the actor’s manic Eddie made for some of the picture’s most memorable scenes. Who can forget Vaughn’s response after Pitt tells him his wife (Angelina Jolie) is trying to kill him? “They all try to kill you. Slowly, painfully, cripplingly, and then wham. They hurt you. How you going to handle it?” It’s like “Swingers,” “Old School” and “Psycho” all at once. Perfect.
Vaughnism: “Mom! We are on high alert here. I almost killed you right then! You do not even realize!”
9. “Psycho” (1998)
Vince Vaughn as Norman Bates? Stick with us here. In Gus Van Sant‘s much-maligned and unfairly underrated Alfred Hitchcock re-make, Vaughn gives us a twist on Bates, trading Anthony Perkins‘ meek, effete murderer for a boorish, masculine and intelligent evil. With his large forehead, icky laugh and deceptively normal manner, Vaughn becomes a master fake in the style of Ted Bundy. Really, he’s just the darkest manifestation of the varied woman chasers he’s played in films before and after this one. And he’s scary. And weirdly funny. Really.
Vince Vaughn as Norman Bates? Stick with us here. In Gus Van Sant‘s much-maligned and unfairly underrated Alfred Hitchcock re-make, Vaughn gives us a twist on Bates, trading Anthony Perkins‘ meek, effete murderer for a boorish, masculine and intelligent evil. With his large forehead, icky laugh and deceptively normal manner, Vaughn becomes a master fake in the style of Ted Bundy. Really, he’s just the darkest manifestation of the varied woman chasers he’s played in films before and after this one. And he’s scary. And weirdly funny. Really.
Vaughnism: “She might have fooled me, but she didn’t fool my mother.”
8. “Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story” (2004)
As Peter LaFleur, the proprietor of Average Joe’s gym, Vaughn plays it straight — rare for the actor. But someone has to inject steady into Ben Stiller‘s pumped-up, egomaniac character of White Goodman, a guy who seeks world domination in the Globo Gym chain. But back to Vaughn: With his sort of sleepwalking, Robert Mitchum-esque charm, you root for his “average Joe” even if he doesn’t seem especially average. Or even trustworthy. And yet, you love him anyway. Such is the magic of Mr. Vaughn.
As Peter LaFleur, the proprietor of Average Joe’s gym, Vaughn plays it straight — rare for the actor. But someone has to inject steady into Ben Stiller‘s pumped-up, egomaniac character of White Goodman, a guy who seeks world domination in the Globo Gym chain. But back to Vaughn: With his sort of sleepwalking, Robert Mitchum-esque charm, you root for his “average Joe” even if he doesn’t seem especially average. Or even trustworthy. And yet, you love him anyway. Such is the magic of Mr. Vaughn.
Vaughnism: “I found that if you have a goal, that you might not reach it. But if you don’t have one, then you are never disappointed. And I gotta tell ya … it feels phenomenal.”
7. “Thumbsucker” (2005)
A high schooler, “freed” with his new intake of Ritalin, excels on the debating team, coached by none other than Vince Vaughn, who for once does not appear to need Ritalin himself. In one of his most understated performances, the usual gabber convincingly plays a teacher becoming a surrogate father to a confused teen. He’s funny, nice, but craftily muted. The usual scene stealer proves that he doesn’t need to chew up scenery — he stands out on his own.
A high schooler, “freed” with his new intake of Ritalin, excels on the debating team, coached by none other than Vince Vaughn, who for once does not appear to need Ritalin himself. In one of his most understated performances, the usual gabber convincingly plays a teacher becoming a surrogate father to a confused teen. He’s funny, nice, but craftily muted. The usual scene stealer proves that he doesn’t need to chew up scenery — he stands out on his own.
Vaughnism: “You’re a killer, you’re a stone-faced killer.”
6. “Starsky and Hutch” (2004)
Starring actors (Ben Stiller, Owen Wilson and Jason Bateman) who, like Vaughn, were old enough to love the characters they played, “Starsky and Hutch” worked as an ode not just to the TV series but to the swinging ’70s themselves. And Vaughn, as the shady, flamboyant but all-business cocaine dealer Reese Feldman, was in on the fun full throttle. Never throwing in a wink, Vaughn was committed to his ’70s sleazebag. He knew it was funny, effortlessly so, but he was serious about it. And no one rocks a Fu Manchu mustache quite like Vaughn.
Starring actors (Ben Stiller, Owen Wilson and Jason Bateman) who, like Vaughn, were old enough to love the characters they played, “Starsky and Hutch” worked as an ode not just to the TV series but to the swinging ’70s themselves. And Vaughn, as the shady, flamboyant but all-business cocaine dealer Reese Feldman, was in on the fun full throttle. Never throwing in a wink, Vaughn was committed to his ’70s sleazebag. He knew it was funny, effortlessly so, but he was serious about it. And no one rocks a Fu Manchu mustache quite like Vaughn.
Vaughnism: “Coke: It costs money. Planes: They cost money. This yacht, this perm, my kid’s braces: It all costs money.”
5. “Clay Pigeons” (1998)
This mediocre movie is saved by Vaughn, whose possible serial killer character Lester (he calls himself “Lester the Molester”) is such a terrifically creepy yet amiable creation, you wish he’d grace every frame of film. Sporting too-perfect cowboy gear, an overly eager manner mixed with a cock-of-the-walk attitude and one freaky laugh (Vaughn can work the weird laugh), the actor succeeds at the level of a Coen brothers character. Only he’s not in a Coen brothers movie. Why isn’t he? He’d be perfect.
This mediocre movie is saved by Vaughn, whose possible serial killer character Lester (he calls himself “Lester the Molester”) is such a terrifically creepy yet amiable creation, you wish he’d grace every frame of film. Sporting too-perfect cowboy gear, an overly eager manner mixed with a cock-of-the-walk attitude and one freaky laugh (Vaughn can work the weird laugh), the actor succeeds at the level of a Coen brothers character. Only he’s not in a Coen brothers movie. Why isn’t he? He’d be perfect.
Vaughnism: “You don’t know the half of it. I’m like a big fireworks show. I’m pretty bright. Like Lite Brite.”
4. “Old School” (2003)
There are those of you who cite Will Ferrell as the genius of “Old School.” Well, you’re wrong. It’s Vaughn all the way. As the unhappily married Beanie, a cynical snake who stands at a friend’s wedding only to cough, “Hock-hock-don’t-do-it!,” Vaughn represents the myriad problems in attempting a swinging lifestyle while married, owning your own stereo business and having kids. Chiefly, he can talk the talk (boy can he talk), but can he really walk the walk? And, more interestingly, we’re never sure what he’s capable of, or just how unfaithful he could be, making his performance all the more acidic, amusing and oddly real.
There are those of you who cite Will Ferrell as the genius of “Old School.” Well, you’re wrong. It’s Vaughn all the way. As the unhappily married Beanie, a cynical snake who stands at a friend’s wedding only to cough, “Hock-hock-don’t-do-it!,” Vaughn represents the myriad problems in attempting a swinging lifestyle while married, owning your own stereo business and having kids. Chiefly, he can talk the talk (boy can he talk), but can he really walk the walk? And, more interestingly, we’re never sure what he’s capable of, or just how unfaithful he could be, making his performance all the more acidic, amusing and oddly real.
Vaughnism: “Earmuffs.”
3. “Swingers” (1996)
Remember when this film became annoying? OK, not the film itself but the cult around the film? Those people who’d yell ad nauseam: “You’re so money and you don’t even know it!” Or, “Vegas Baby!” But despite the retro martini swilling, swing dancing and abused lingo, the movie holds up remarkably — mostly because it’s flat-out superb. Thanks to Jon Favreau‘s timeless script about aspiring Los Angeles actors and their quest for “beautiful babies,” the picture’s less about the go-daddy trends and more about male relationships. And Favreau’s relationship with Vaughn’s Dean Martin-wanna-be Lothario is comic gold. Spewing out more rules than Ellen Fein and Sherrie Schneider, engaging in wickedly funny wordplay, barbs and situations, Vaughn is comic gold. The picture and Vaughn’s performance have become classic.
Remember when this film became annoying? OK, not the film itself but the cult around the film? Those people who’d yell ad nauseam: “You’re so money and you don’t even know it!” Or, “Vegas Baby!” But despite the retro martini swilling, swing dancing and abused lingo, the movie holds up remarkably — mostly because it’s flat-out superb. Thanks to Jon Favreau‘s timeless script about aspiring Los Angeles actors and their quest for “beautiful babies,” the picture’s less about the go-daddy trends and more about male relationships. And Favreau’s relationship with Vaughn’s Dean Martin-wanna-be Lothario is comic gold. Spewing out more rules than Ellen Fein and Sherrie Schneider, engaging in wickedly funny wordplay, barbs and situations, Vaughn is comic gold. The picture and Vaughn’s performance have become classic.
Vaughnism: “My baby boy’s all grows up!”
2. “Wedding Crashers” (2005)
This is an example of how one actor can singlehandedly change the entire tone of a movie by never letting up — just rolling out his shtick till tears are streaming down our face and we forget there’s supposed to be a romance or a moral or something to ponder about the whole business. If not for Vaughn’s wicked wedding crasher who, with his best friend (Owen Wilson), invades “the Kentucky Derby of weddings,” the picture would have been yet another tired, raunchy yet sappy men-behaving-badly saga we’ve seen a million times. But Vaughn never takes that turn to “Big Daddy” land: He’s so in control of his abilities, so audaciously rapid fire (how many speeches could we quote from this film?), so authentically edgy that all we can do is marvel at his charismatic gifts and perfect timing. A performance you cannot watch just once, this one’s for the ages. Former President BUSH and first lady BARBARA were spotted hitting a showing of ‘Wedding Crashers‘ near their home in Kennebunkport, ME. After the Secret Service did a sweep of the theater, they took their seats and “laughed hysterically the whole time.”
This is an example of how one actor can singlehandedly change the entire tone of a movie by never letting up — just rolling out his shtick till tears are streaming down our face and we forget there’s supposed to be a romance or a moral or something to ponder about the whole business. If not for Vaughn’s wicked wedding crasher who, with his best friend (Owen Wilson), invades “the Kentucky Derby of weddings,” the picture would have been yet another tired, raunchy yet sappy men-behaving-badly saga we’ve seen a million times. But Vaughn never takes that turn to “Big Daddy” land: He’s so in control of his abilities, so audaciously rapid fire (how many speeches could we quote from this film?), so authentically edgy that all we can do is marvel at his charismatic gifts and perfect timing. A performance you cannot watch just once, this one’s for the ages. Former President BUSH and first lady BARBARA were spotted hitting a showing of ‘Wedding Crashers‘ near their home in Kennebunkport, ME. After the Secret Service did a sweep of the theater, they took their seats and “laughed hysterically the whole time.”
Vaughnism: “Soft mattress? Yeah, it could have been the soft mattress. Or the midnight rape. Or the nude gay art show that took place in my room last night. One of those three probably contributed to the lack of sleep.”"I felt like Jodie Foster in The Accused last night.”
1. “Made” (2001)
Jon Favreau and Vaughn teamed up again in a movie so charming, hilarious, poignant and inventive that it’s baffling just how under the radar the film has remained. Vaughn plays Favreau’s obnoxious best friend and partner in dis-organized crime, as the two expand the wonderful nice guy/obnoxious guy chemistry they so amply showcased in “Swingers.” And with funnier results. Vaughn is again a character filled with puff and show, a smart-ass who’s not as smart as he thinks he is, but in the end, a true friend. We can’t even begin to cite the countless scenes where Vaughn riffs (off the top of his head — watch the extras on the DVD), but he does so with such mind-spinning virtuosity that his bits feel like some kind of vaudeville jazz. ”Made” is truly one of the comic classics of the 2000s and one of Vaughn’s greatest performances to date.
Jon Favreau and Vaughn teamed up again in a movie so charming, hilarious, poignant and inventive that it’s baffling just how under the radar the film has remained. Vaughn plays Favreau’s obnoxious best friend and partner in dis-organized crime, as the two expand the wonderful nice guy/obnoxious guy chemistry they so amply showcased in “Swingers.” And with funnier results. Vaughn is again a character filled with puff and show, a smart-ass who’s not as smart as he thinks he is, but in the end, a true friend. We can’t even begin to cite the countless scenes where Vaughn riffs (off the top of his head — watch the extras on the DVD), but he does so with such mind-spinning virtuosity that his bits feel like some kind of vaudeville jazz. ”Made” is truly one of the comic classics of the 2000s and one of Vaughn’s greatest performances to date.
Vaughnism: “Hey lady, you missed out! I’m staying at the SoHo Grand this trip, you know what I mean? Listen, I’d give you a ride in my limo but I gotta stretch my sh*t out. I’m a tall drink of water, I don’t want to wrinkle anything.”