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I wouldn’t go as far as you in saying he’s not a good actor, but I don’t think he’s that great of an actor. It depends on the movie, I thought he did alright in Apollo 13 for example. Like you, I judge the entertainers on their merits, not their politics. I think Morgan Freeman is excellent for example, even though I’m pretty sure he is left-leaning.

Given a level playing field, I don't think Tom's that memorable.

He got one Oscar for playing someone with AIDS and another for playing someone with mental deficiencies (even so, his Gump didn't match Dustin Hoffman's Rain Man). Playing characters without diseases or disabilities, Hanks isn't much to write home about.

Maybe, like earlier film actors, he's more or less just playing himself in many of his films, like those romcoms with Meg Ryan. But Tom Hanks doesn't have the presence those earlier stars had.

[Texan Tory]

“Given a level playing field, I don’t think Tom’s that memorable...he’s more or less just playing himself in many of his films, like those romcoms with Meg Ryan. But Tom Hanks doesn’t have the presence those earlier stars had.”

Agree, you really nailed it. Some actors can play themselves, and be very memorable; Jimmy Stewart was able to do this for example. One of Jimmy Stewart’s director’s said that he didn’t really act at all, he was just himself on camera, to a very entertaining effect.