Serpentine: The Amazing Alan Arkin

​From Calypso Band to a founding member of Second City, he’s one of America’s greatest unsung talents. With his broad range, he elicits so many emotions from his wide audience.  After several nominations, he eventually won a much-deserved Academy Award for best supporting actor in Little Miss Sunshine. It’s time we give one of my favorite actors (comedic or otherwise) his due. Let’s take a look at a short list of some of my favorite films of Mr. Alan Arkin.
 
Note: This is by no means and exhaustive look at such an incredible career. There is no top five order to this list as these performances are equally masterful in my mind.
 

​Freebie and the Bean  (1974)
 
In the words of Quentin Tarantino himself, “Freebie and the Bean is nothing short of a masterpiece.” Stanley Kubrick called it the best film of the year. Director Richard Rush (who a short time later gave us the wonderful The Stunt Man), gives us one for the most interesting and controversial cop films in the history of cinema. It was reported that not wanting to be overshadowed by gun fights and car crashes, James Caan and Arkin met frequently to improvise, flesh-out their respective roles and bring out more of their characters. It certainly pays off. In my opinion, these two performances actually give birth to the modern buddy cop movie. There were others slightly before it, Peter Hyam’s Busting to name one, but they are nothing like this. It is worth noting that that this is a very controversial film and not for those who become squeamish with characters that are grossly insensitive to the cultures that surround them. Still, it if you can get past this, it’s definitely worth a view.

The In-Laws (1979)
 
Originally intended as a sequel to Freebie and the Bean, this film by director Andrew Bergman, is considered to be one of the 100 best comedies of all time. Once again, the relationship between Peter Falk and Arkin is unsurpassed, proving that chemistry and teamwork can easily elevate a film from mere comedy to a revered classic. No one commits to a role like Alan Arkin. He is totally invested, and it shows in every scene.
 
Glengarry Glen Ross (1992)
 
Powerful and haunting characterization of a man who has seen better days and who takes career chances by teaming up with a much bolder and foolish man. There is an abundance of masterful acting in this adaptation of Mamet’s play. However, as your mother always warned you, keep an eye on the quiet ones. The ones who take it all in and say the least. That is Arkin’s portrayal of George Aaronow. George is the same talking to clients as he is with co-workers and there-in lies the steadied, calculated brilliance of this important role.
 
The Seven-Percent Solution (1976)
 
Alan Arkin as Sigmund Freud? Yeah, and he actually pulls it off. I was skeptical at first as well. Never manic, this characterization is quiet and studied, with tongue planted firmly in cheek. The humor is subtle but rewarding as the father of modern psychiatry is teamed with the legendary, cocaine-addled Sherlock Holmes and his colleague Dr. Watson.  It’s a strangely athletic performance for Arkin and one that proves his ability to deliver in big, Hollywood tentpole motion productions.
 
 
The Heart is a Lonely Hunter (1968)
 
Another film in AFI’s 100 of the top films, Arkin’s sensitive and brilliant portrayal of a deaf mute on a tragic journey to rejoin a friend. This film again proves the wide spectrum of talent in one lone individual. Alan Arkin was the first actor chosen for this film and for good reason. He is the rock-solid foundation of the entire film, the other actors hovering around like planets orbiting the sun.  
 
Argo (2012)
 
So, you have a recipe, possess most of your ingredients and you are missing just one small item that can truly make the meal memorable. In the case of Argo, it’s Alan Arkin. As we have witnessed time and time again, Arkin was the first person cast and for good reason. Don’t get me wrong, I think this is a riveting movie and Ben Affleck dedication to getting it done right is nothing short of great filmmaking. But it is the addition of Alan Arkin as Lester Siegel, the recruited movie producer who agrees to a very outlandish plan, that takes this recipe to its full potential. Arkin injects just enough anxiety, concern and show biz world weariness to elevate this film into another Academy Award nomination.