12 awful performances in brilliant movies, from Hugh Grant to Jake Gyllenhaal

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"It's far easier to be the saving grace of a bad film than the worst part of a great one. The latter rarely makes sense surely if a film is firing on all cylinders and has a competent director behind it, every element will work just as well? If only it were so simple. While it's rare, there are instances of very good films being undone by a sole bad element."

"To shine a light on this phenomenon, we've compiled 12 askew performances in great films, from the famously incongruous (Cameron Diaz in Gangs of New York), to choices that are more controversial (Hugh Grant in Love Actually? Yes, really!) And while you're here, why not also sample the inverse of this strange occurrence brilliant performances in otherwise terrible movies Jake Gyllenhaal in Prisoners Gyllenhaal is guilty of too much acting in Denis Villeneuve's grimy child-abduction thriller."

The Independent covers reproductive rights, climate change, and Big Tech with on-the-ground reporting and documentaries such as 'The A Word', which profiles American women fighting for reproductive rights. The outlet solicits donations to fund reporters, emphasizes speaking to both sides, and maintains free access without paywalls funded by supporters who can afford it. A film-focused piece argues that single miscast elements can undermine otherwise great films. Twelve askew performances are listed, with examples including Cameron Diaz in Gangs of New York and Hugh Grant in Love Actually, and the inverse—outstanding performances in poor films—is also noted, such as Jake Gyllenhaal in Prisoners.

Read at www.independent.co.uk