Ryan Reynolds – if one actor in Hollywood can fill seats in the theatres with his sheer fantastically nonsensical but real presence, it’s him. Ever since Deadpool was released, his stardom has been rising unabated. His increasing reputation as a lead actor material has seen him feature more frequently in action/comedy films.
Ryan Reynolds’ two latest releases, ‘Red Notice’ and ‘Free Guy,’ are currently streaming on Netflix and Hotstar. It is an exciting task to examine his performances and understand what makes him so unique. Comparing the two versions might also shed light on the spectrum of acting skills that he uses to bring out varied emotions among his audience.
So spoiler alert! Read-only if you’ve seen both the movies!
Ryan Reynolds Playing Guy and Dude in ‘Free Guy’
Generally, Ryan Reynolds movies do not engage you too emotionally on the surface, but you end up getting a little involved anyway.
For instance, once the videogame setting is revealed, in ‘Free Guy,’ the movie seems to be a short treasure hunt to prove Mille and Walter’s innocence. As a result, Guy’s (Reynolds) role seems restricted. But somehow, his place in the narrative arch becomes indispensable.
Without him, ‘Free Guy,’ a movie with great reviews, would have been mediocre. The translation from script to screen often decides the fate of the end product. Putting the final touches and bringing even well-written characters takes craft and guile.
Navigating Guy from the pages itself presents as a difficult task. Imagine this: you are a non-playable character in a video game who finds consciousness due to a glitch. The odds of success seem unfavorable with no reference point, even for a talented artist like Reynolds.
Fortunately, the unprecedented challenge of pulling off a character like Guy is met head-on by Reynolds. He brings warmth and joy to a peaceful role. His witty one-liners and pure love for Millie’s gaming avatar make Guy almost a human entity with measurable emotions. Although granted, he gets to present a more wholesome showcase for his acting skills because of Mille and Guy’s sub-plot, his turn is a blasting success.
A Cameo Worth Remembering
His cameo as “Dude” is even funnier. The parody-play remains above board, seldom veering off the path the creators set on it. Reynolds brings so much personal history and pop-cultural references; it might become a classic in the coming years. The way Reynold plays with Dude’s physicality instantly reminds one of the great action heroes of Hollywood.
An Arnold Schwarzenegger or Claude van Damme would, in a similar fashion, dominate combat and intimidate the other person. Instead, Reynolds’ satirical take remains respectful while at the same time presenting us with laughs every move on the way. The two faces of comical genius that we see in Reynolds’ performances as Dude and Guy are the hallmark of his versatility.
He is as good without punchy dialogues as he is with them. His newfound slap-stick style is a welcome change from his usual cadence. But how does it compare with his performance in Netflix’s ‘Red Notice’?
Playing Nolan Boothe in Red Notice
Reynolds’ performance in the Netflix film ‘Red Notice’ is slightly different from his performance in Free Guy. Starring Dwayne Johnson, Ryan Reynolds, and Gal Gadot, the comedy-action movie is about a world-renowned thief whose goal is to steal Cleopatra’s three eggs.
Unfortunately, his nemesis and FBI Agent Hartley make trouble with his plan. Nevertheless, the entire plot makes for an exciting watch with another Interpol agent behind them and some expected twists. Due to the presence of such big stars, screen time for Reynolds is a bit limited but remains impactful. The moments he spends with Johnson are the highlight of the film.
The thief-cop buddy trend that the movie latches on to provides the two stars ample opportunity to strike healthy chemistry. With the added overtones of physicality, Reynolds wears multiple hats. His shining moments, though, clearly belong when he wears the comedy sleeve.
Reynolds’ delivery is astute and plays well off of Johnson’s tough-guy persona. Reynolds is smooth with his one-liners and seamless with the transition into smart. Because of how the film is built, the planning of escapes and stealing things become significant boundaries within which he can innovate with his comic style.
He never shies off from the challenge to handle the mantle when the other two stars are busy looking suave and beating people up. Unfortunately, Reynolds is a bit of a misfit when the three are viewed together. But his presence is vital for the film’s fortunes.
Cinematic References for Nolan Boothe
Nolan Boothe is a bit like Chandler, who uses sarcasm and humor as a defence mechanism. However, the shared element of father issues also piques interest in seeing him more as a broken man looking to match up to the expectations of others more than his.
Unfortunately, there is not much of a backstory to his character. The details of his relationship with his father are only reflected in brief conversations he shares with Johnson’s Hartley. But these issues might fuel his tendencies to be what he is.
Reynolds captures the essence of a smooth-talking and occasionally charming and funny expert thief that George Clooney first articulated in the Ocean’s franchise but craftily built his own skeleton. To be blunt, he is a bit more miserable and shambolic than Clooney’s Ocean, but it suits his style. But, of course, it would be hard to imagine him like that, anyway!
Comparing the Two Performances
Guy and Boothe are not fundamentally different from creating a clear-cut distinction but similar enough to have a meaningful discussion. The critical difference lies in the emotional quotient of their character that also weighs in their kind of humor.
Because of having a relatively cleaner slate, Guy can engage his senses with what he experiences for the first time more purely than Boothe. Different histories and characterizations are at play here, for sure, in shaping their mental state.
When Guy is funny, there is more of a child-like wonderment in his remarks. He carries an affecting innocence that does not show up in Boothe’s delivery. His style is more miserable and leaning towards sarcasm. It seems more spiteful and hurtful to the other person without that being the case.
Boothe shows little to no social maturity that is expected from him. He is a lone wolf who does not seek company in any form. When it is thrust upon Boothe, he is reluctant to inform his partner Hartley of the plans he formulates. By the end, though, his neediness gives way when he leaves the last egg to save Hartley. On the other hand, Guy benefits from Millie and Walter’s innate goodness to become a more wholesome character. The sudden rise in his significance makes him even more open and broad-minded in his worldview.
Their different attitudes also impact the story differently. ‘Free Guy’ has more warmth and redeeming qualities than ‘Red Notice,’ which tries harder to amp its stars up than become something meaningful. As a result, one would probably be more inclined to side with Guy than Boothe in real life. Still, both are exceptionally well performed by Reynolds, who deserves credit for his versatility.
Conclusion
Both ‘Red Notice’ on Netflix and ‘Free Guy’ on Hotstar are enjoyable movies. Ryan Reynolds, the pillar of both films, does a remarkable job of pulling off the two roles that are not mirroring templates. If you liked this list, be sure to check out our other offerings on the site below: