Getting real tired of having to do these kinds of articles. I can barely get through one great actor passing before another unfortunately departs. I was barely over the tragic news of Fred Ward‘s passing, only to be blindsided by the sudden passing of another great, Ray Liotta. One thing I always loved about him, no matter how big or small his role, he always made sure to make his presence felt the entire time he was onscreen. It doesn’t matter if the film itself is particularly good or not; you will always be able to count or Liotta to deliver a stellar, chaotic (in a good way) performance. He was an actor who never phoned it in; and he had a 40-year filmography that proves that.
So here’s 5 Ray Liotta performances that I adore and will remember him by, as well as watch this weekend to honor his memory. Because it’s pretty much a given and one of the most definitive performances of his entire career, I am excluding “GoodFellas” for the list. [Editor’s Note: we ALL know “Goodfellas” is the creme de la creme, right?]
I am also excluding “Field of Dreams,” because I want to highlight some of his lesser known roles to truly honor and bring attention to the diversity of his filmography. There are some truly wonderful performances that may be somewhat unsung or at the very least, not as notable as the aforementioned icons. So I would like stick to those ones. There are a lot to choose from, but these are some of my personal favorites from Ray Liotta!
“Smokin Aces” (Hulu)
I know that Liotta is part of an ensemble cast in this one, but I absolutely adore “Smokin’ Aces.” A key part of that is Liotta’s stellar performance in it. His chemistry with Ryan Reynolds feels completely organic and real. And he is so calm and cool and believable it’s hard not to want an entire film of just those two as FBI agents. Even subdued and surrounded by a who’s who of stars, Liotta manages to stand out in the film. Just his elevator scene with Nester Carbonell is one of the most intense sequences in the entire film. And that’s saying something considering “Smokin’ Aces” is a manic conglomerate of punctuated events strung together but a loosely connected narrative tissue. Liotta’s performance here is a testament to my previous statement of him never phoning it in and always making his presence felt.
“Killing Them Softly” (Netflix)
I always forget how good “Killing Them Softly” actually is as a film. A brilliantly subdued crime noir with a star studded cast feature now two iconic actors who have recently passed in both James Gandolfini and Liotta. It is a crime thriller through and through, with just about everyone who’s anyone still working in that space today featured in some way. Of course, Liotta delivers another stand out performance, one that sees back in the mobster light but as more of an older, more seasoned and somewhat sinister gangster. Spoiler alert: it doesn’t end well for Liotta’s character. But in a film packed with powerhouse performances, Liotta still manages to set himself apart as a character you remember. Seriously, there is so much to like about “Killing Them Softly” but Liotta delivers a performance that can’t be forgotten.
“The Place Beyond the Pines” (Tubi)
I don’t know what it is about Ray Liotta taking on smaller roles in ensemble films, but “The Place Beyond the Pines” is yet another example of him showing up briefly but undoubtedly leaving his mark. His presence in the overall story probably isn’t that memorable in the grand scheme things narratively speaking, but Liotta once again makes the most of what he’s given and leaves his mark. “Pines” is one helluva story, told over multiple years with interconnecting storylines that eventually come to a head in the climax. While Liotta doesn’t play a pivotal role in the film, he still makes is presence felt. He truly knows how to turn an otherwise thankless role into a memorable performance, and “Pines” is another strong example of this.
“Narc” (Hulu)
Ok, time to put Ray Liotta front and center with an award worthy performance in “Narc.” This is the kind of role that Liotta thrives in, and my god does he deliver here. It’s a pretty well made film that has long flown under the radar. It’s unfortunate too, because it Liotta at his best and paired perfectly with Jason Patric. “Narc” is one great crime thriller, with a pay off that really leaves you pretty stunned. You’re also left with a sense of uneasiness, as it doesn’t really have a resolution, just a revelation.
“Narc” is one of those films that keeps you guessing from start to finish. Everyone’s hiding something and Liotta is in the driver’s seat of it all. He is truly fantastic in this one, and if you haven’t seen “Narc” I highly recommend it. Even as a reminder that Liotta hasn’t lost a step and can absolutely shoulder a film.
“Identity” (Netflix)
I genuinely enjoy “Identity” for its solid casting and pretty decent narrative framework. And yes, for Ray Liotta too. We all know I’m not really the horror king and find the genre to be rather low on the list. The fun of the movie is in how it has multiple layers. At first, it looks like a whodunnit murder mystery. However, it soon becomes clear that something much weirder is going on. As the bodies pile up, it starts to turn into a supernatural horror movie. By the end, it becomes a psychological war movie. He’s just so good and manic yet calm and chaotic but desperately trying to be anchor. Liotta once again proves he’s the king of ensemble standouts. Leaving his mark on “Identity” in a way I don’t think many others in the cast do quite as well.
The list of options is extensive
Even without “Goodfellas” and “Field of Dreams,” his body of work is insurmountable. You could offer up 5 completely different Ray Liotta performances and none of them would be wrong. And that’s the beauty of a great actors career. He never gave anything less than 110% regardless of the size of the role. A man who knew his strengths but was never afraid to push the limits of his abilities. He leaves us with a robust yet diverse filmography to remember him by. And Liotta will fondly be remembered as one of the best to do it.
Thank you for your talented work, Liotta. And thank you for delivering one of the greatest lines in film history. No one can ever say this the same as you did when you said, “Fuck you, pay me.”
