Happy 55th Birthday, Tom Hanks! What's His Best Onscreen Moment?
It hasn't been the best of Julys for Tom Hanks -- after all, Larry Crowne fizzled with both critics and audiences -- but that should change today, if only because it's his birthday! Hanx -- as he's known to his over 2 million Twitter followers -- was born in Concord, Calif on July 9, 1956, and here at Movieline we encourage you to celebrate the joyous occasion the only way that seems appropriate: by remembering his best onscreen moment.
Hanks has given dozens of great performances over his career -- from his Oscar-winning turns in Philadelphia and Forrest Gump to his voice work in the ridiculously successful Toy Story franchise -- so it seems hard to pick out a favorite. That said -- and going beyond the obvious choices -- you can't go wrong with a little A League of Their Own. There's no crying in baseball, nor on birthdays.
What is your favorite Tom Hanks moment? Leave some thoughts in the comments below.
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"Road to Perdition" is his best without any doubt. One of the best movie performances of all time.
I also love him in "Catch Me If You Can". The comedic moments can be quite broad, but the emotional ones are very subtle and restrained, and heartbreaking.
Hanks had a good 2002.
"I... have made fire!" ... Castaway was brilliant... anyone who can bring tears to people's eyes by wailing inconsolably for a lost volleyball has amazing talent.
While I was a huge fan of his performance in Big, I think his best performance was in Saving Private Ryan. That could have so easily been one of those chewing-the-scenery roles and instead he brought such a quiet sadness and restraint to the performance.
"I got no sole"
Any moment from Joe Vs The Volcano.
happy birth day Sir. Lukily, my daughter was born on 9 July this year.
I agree -- Road to Perdition. That was my first thought.
After his brilliant performance in the airport film, Tom Hanks proved he was cogently prepared for his next power film The Berlin Triangle!
Tom has been great in a varied array of films, but I personally liked the film The Terminal because it showed stunningly how he can portray vividly someone of a totally different culture and society which is a true talent . He has made a lot of good ones but his versitality shines thru this one.
Forrest Gump
I want to deeply appreciate this incomparaable charactar for all his performences in Hollywood, Particularly (The Shawshang Redemption) is something of a feat to watch. Happy Birthday Hanx!!
The Green Mile?
I always liked him in 'The Money Pit'.
I'm not a huge fan of Hanx, he's so white bread to me, which at times works REALLY well for him. But I can't think of a better actor than Tom Hanks for the lead role in the "The Green Mile". He was absolutely PERFECT for that part. He was totally believable, subtle and multi-dimensional and it seemed as if he was born to do that part. THAT peformance should have won him an Oscar.
Forrest GUmb, Cast away, saving private ryan
Forrest Gump!
So many votes for Forrest Gump, and only one mention - and not one vote - for Big? For mine, that was the killer punch. Up 'til then, he'd amused in bursts (quite a lot of Splash, but even a little bit of Bachelor Party), but Big puts his whole range on display in a way Gump can't do.
BACHELOR PARTY! The birth of all movies about bachelor parties gone arry!
Tom is my favourite actor. He turns almost every movie into a masterpiece (well there are exceptions, The Da Vinci Code). I loved him in The Green Mile and in Saving Private Ryan!
I was actually going to say that my favorite Tom Hanks moment is from The Money Pit.
When the tub smashes through the floor and he just LOSES it and starts laughing like a complete psycho. It's so unhinged and great.
Mr. Short-Term Memory on SNL!
forrest gump is definitely his best, but Philadelphia was amazing and a league of their own he was awesome also, dont forget saving private ryan also
"YOU. ARE. A. TOYYYY!
Two moments: When he checked into the fleabag hotel and started breaking down like the child he truly was in Big, and his opera speech in Philadelphia. What makes both magical is the utter honesty behind the craft in each case.
I agree about Perdition. Even better than Philadelphia.
After "Road to Perdition", I'd say "Philadelphia", "Forrest Gump" and "Big".
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