Playing a character is not an easy job, from adopting the mannerisms to reach its mental state, it takes a lot out of a person to enact. But where playing one character is tough, playing multiple characters in a single movie is a whole new ball game. Not just difficult but it’s risky too. As it’s not a very common phenomenon, it’s very difficult for people to relate to it and thus it has the capability to turn around the whole outcome of a film. Where it can be easily incorporated into genres like comedy, it can be much more difficult to make it look convincing in serious genres. We have seen Bollywood trying dual roles in their dramas to make it more entertaining but have hardly seen much of an experiment in Hollywood with it. So here we are bringing you a list of some of the best performances by actors in a dual role in Hollywood.
Armie Hammer - "The Social Network"
Based on the story of Harvard undergrad and computer genius Mark Zuckerberg and his life-changing idea, The Social Network stars a dual role of the Winklevoss brothers played by Armie Hammer. Hammer played Cameron and Tyler Winklevoss who claimed their idea for Facebook. Playing the negative characters, Hammer’s performance was so real that it almost convinces you otherwise.
Tom Hardy, Legend
Set in 1960, this London underworld story is a story about two brothers Reggie Kray and his unstable twin brother Ronnie Kary who ruled the London gangland. Both the brothers are played by actor Tom Hardy and are considered one of his best performances. On one hand, he played Ronnie who is menacing, psychotic but also comic and on the other hand Reggie, who is sharp, soulful and shrewd. The movie is a complete package of entertainment with brilliant performances, good humour and violence.
Hugh Jackman/Christian Bale - "The Prestige
Again another masterpiece by the master, Christopher Nolan, The Prestige is a movie about love, rivalry, tragedy and magic. It has two of its main characters in dual roles. The story is about two rival magicians trying to outdo each other, where Hugh Jackman played one of the main characters Robert Angie and his drunken lookalike named Root. And on the other hand Mr Perfectionist, Christian Bale played the character of Alfred Borden and his brother-Fallon, who were Robert Angier's enemy.
Jake Gyllenhaal - "Enemy"
A psychological thriller, Enemy is a story about surreal and uncompromising doppelgänger mystery. Jake Gyllenhaal plays the roles of Adam Bell and Anthony St. Claire, where Adam sees Anthony in a movie and, noticing the resemblance, seeks him out to find out who he is. This mind-bending story has endless interpretations but the best part about the movie is Gyllenhaal’s performance. Like always he is just too good.
Jeremy Irons, Dead Ringers
One of the finest performances by actor Jeremy Irons for which he was nominated for Academy Awards, Dead Ringers is a story of twins Beverly and Elliot Mantle who are both gynaecologists and take a perverse pride in their interchangeability, often posing as one another in their personal and professional lives. Irons effortlessly distinguish their personalities with unique sets of mannerism and make them poles apart. The performance was so brilliant that you will clearly differentiate each character in every single frame.
