Movies

Val Kilmer: The Underrated King of Camp and Cool

BBG News

The charm of Val Kilmer might stem from his performance in the film often considered a lightweight production, “Batman Forever” directed by Joel Schumacher in 1995. Despite not having the serious tone of the earlier Batman films, Kilmer brought an unprecedented level of humor and irony to the character behind the mask. He managed to be both relaxed and tense at the same time. Kilmer himself expressed dislike for the filmmaking process, but a great performance often has little connection to an actor’s personal experience. In portraying Batman and Bruce Wayne, Kilmer embraced the absurdity with a subtle intensity. Some might question the choice of a Juilliard-trained actor for such a role, having gained admission at just 17, but Kilmer, who passed away on April 1 at the age of 65, felt right at home in the balance between ego and dedication. He made even lesser or comedic roles feel worthy of his talent.

Kilmer’s personality was unique, often perceived as challenging yet intrinsically linked to his artistic prowess. He valued his work deeply, yet never let it become excessive; he exhibited intensity, yet balanced it with an eloquence that bordered on poetry. This duality made his absence felt profoundly by those who grew up watching him, even though for many years he took on less prominent roles. In 2014, he bravely battled throat cancer and, although he survived and could still speak, he had to relearn the art of shaping words. Despite periods of relative inactivity, Kilmer remained a figure who lingered in cultural memory. Occasionally, you’d stumble upon a remarkable performance from the ’90s by him, and be struck anew by his effortless skill, as if his finely tuned talents were a jest to him.

1986 marked the fourth film appearance for Kilmer, where he portrayed a self-assured yet charming pilot who outshone even Tom Cruise’s character Maverick in Top Gun. His arrogance was more roguish and playful than intimidating. As Iceman, he boasted about his skills being unmatched, but it was hard not to like him. His superiority was evident, much like the rays of the sun. In Tombstone (1993), Kilmer brilliantly played Doc Holliday, displaying a grace similar to a bullfighter in the scene where he unexpectedly intervened to calm down the intoxicated, abusive Johnny Ringo. With his character’s smoky Southern drawl, he famously declared, “I’m your huckleberry.” This line was met with thunderous applause upon the film’s release and remains beloved by fans today. Kilmer himself recognized its greatness, using it as the title for his 2020 memoir.

In a revised and more conversational style: Michael Mann’s 1995 crime masterpiece “Heat” features outstanding performances, notably from Al Pacino and Robert De Niro. However, there’s a chance that some of the supporting actors might get overlooked. Not Val Kilmer as Chris, De Niro’s right-hand man in the film. In a crucial scene, it seems Charlene, played by Ashley Judd, Chris’s cherished wife, could be about to betray him to the police. Despite being on the run, Chris returns to find Charlene. As she looks down at him from a motel balcony, she subtly signals for him to flee. This small gesture from Kilmer leaves a lasting impact, illustrating how an actor’s subtle actions can stay with viewers forever. Kilmer could easily carry a film on his own as well. He achieved the near-impossible in his portrayal of Jim Morrison in Oliver Stone’s “The Doors” (1991). His performance is like a scent, evoking intangible moods: the musty aroma on rumpled hotel bedsheets, the comforting warmth of late-afternoon sunlight, the swirling patterns of dusky paint on an 18th-century masterpiece in a gilded frame. Morrison’s spirit embodied these things; Kilmer breathed life into it on screen. He also sang his own parts for the role, not so much imitating Morrison’s velvety voice and sinuous phrasing as pouring it out, like a sorcerer’s potion, from his soul.

In 2021, Leo Scott and Ting Poo’s documentary Val showcases a transformed Val Kilmer. His voice, once powerful, was now affected by cancer, yet his mischievous, rebellious smile remained largely unchanged. The film is primarily composed of self-shot footage from the 1980s and ’90s. We witness Kilmer’s playful camaraderie with contemporaries Sean Penn and Kevin Bacon during their work on Slab Boys, a production from 1983, marking Kilmer’s first Broadway role post-Juillard. The documentary also captures Kilmer’s interactions with director John Frankenheimer during the filming of the questionable 1996 fantasy adventure The Island of Dr. Moreau, where Kilmer was not always an easy collaborator. However, we later see a more recent version of Kilmer, graciously meeting fans at Comic-Con, where he is still recognized as Batman, albeit not their favorite, but Batman nonetheless. Kilmer, speaking in his now weakened voice, acknowledges this and expresses gratitude for the continued interest in him and his work. He considers being Batman, even the dry, self-effacing one, a source of pride that he continues to embrace.

Read More

2025-04-02 22:06

Previous post ‘Star Wars: Tales of the Underworld’ Highlights Asajj Ventress and Cad Bane
Next post Shocking Final Days of Val Kilmer Revealed Before Tragic Death at 65