Troy Achilles vs. Hector Scene
There are many famous actors in Troy, however Brad Pitt playing the role of Achilles, certainly is the most famous actor in the most important role in the film. Brad Pitt is undoubtedly one of the most famous and most recognizable actors today, but for good reason, as he has played very many renowned roles. However in many cases, a big name actor can ruin a movie with their sometimes-subpar acting or general celebrity presence that takes away from their intended role in the film. Although in some ways Brad Pitt could have been a more convincing Achilles, his celebrity did not take away from the film for a few reasons. To begin with, epic movies usually require big name actors to fill the major roles, so it would almost take away from the film more if Achilles was being played by a lesser known actor. Secondly, specifically in Troy, there are plenty of other well-known actors such as Eric Bana, Orlando Bloom, and Diane Kruger, so Pitt did not stand out as much.
More specifically with Pitt’s acting, he did do a sufficient job of creating a suspension of disbelief for the viewer. In my opinion, most of the suspension of disbelief throughout the film came from the elaborate sets and scenery as well as action-packed battle scenes and fantastic acting from other major characters. Although Pitt has been able to transcend his role in many other films, I just never seemed to buy in to him as the legendary Achilles in Troy. Maybe this is because I have read The Iliad and have studied a lot of Greek mythology, but I always pictured Achilles as having a little different of a demeanor that Pitt never seemed to fully pull off. Throughout The Iliad, many of Achilles’ actions are described with extreme rage, a rage that only a demigod could have, almost unable to be calmed by humans. Even in his time of greatest rage, as he kills Prince Hector and drags his body around the walls of Troy, Pitt never conveys the uncontrollable rage that defines Achilles.