John Malkovich Reveals His Least Favourite Role to Date
John Malkovich looks back on his decades-long career, sharing which film role he regrets most and why he remains unfazed by critical opinion.
Few actors have been scrutinised as thoroughly as John Malkovich. With nearly half a century in the industry, he’s become a fixture in both major blockbusters and cult favourites, his performances dissected by critics and audiences alike. Despite this constant attention, Malkovich has managed to maintain a certain detachment from the noise, even as his work has earned him two Oscar nominations and a string of highly rated films.
Critical Acclaim and Personal Perspective
Throughout his career, Malkovich has received considerable praise. He’s been recognised for his roles in everything from Depression-era dramas to action thrillers, and boasts two films with perfect scores on Rotten Tomatoes. Yet, when asked about the impact of critics on his work during a recent interview, he was quick to downplay their influence.
“Critics have their audience,”
he remarked.
“I’m not part of the audience. There may be a critic I particularly like on some particular subject, but really I have to make my own way in my chosen field. I don’t need a critic for that. I’m my own critic.”
The Role He’d Rather Forget
To illustrate his point, Malkovich singled out his performance in the 1985 biographical drama Eleni as the one he holds in the lowest regard.
“I didn’t care much for that,”
he admitted. The film, based on the memoir of Nicholas Gage, follows Gage’s return to Greece decades after his mother’s tragic death during the civil war. Malkovich’s portrayal of Gage, a man haunted by his past, was central to the story, though he himself seems less than impressed with the outcome.
Despite his own misgivings, Eleni was well received by critics, maintaining a strong rating on Rotten Tomatoes and earning positive feedback from the public. Roger Ebert, for instance, described Malkovich as
“one of the great strong quiet zones of contemporary film acting.”
While few would argue it’s his finest work, the consensus is far from damning.
Honesty Over Flattery
It’s possible that the weight of portraying a real person, especially one marked by such personal tragedy, contributed to Malkovich’s dissatisfaction. Alternatively, perhaps he simply struggles to accept praise. As he put it,
“I haven’t cared much for many things I’ve done, honestly.”
Whatever the reason, his candour is refreshing in an industry often dominated by self-congratulation.