Method Actors: Three Generations of an American Acting Style

by Steve Vineberg

This is a history of the style that has pervaded American acting for more than 50 years. The author appraises the fruits of Method training by the psychological truth and candour in the performances of such actors as Marlon Brando, Jason Robards, Rod Steiger and James Dean. He observes how the Method's third generation - Warren Beatty, Al Pacino, and Jack Nicholson, among others - brought a distinctive tone of hip disenchantment to films of the 1960s and 1970s. And he uses Dustin Hoffman's performance in the Broadway revival of Death of a Salesman to show how the Method has continued to evolve.

364 pages, Paperback

First published July 1, 1991

Reviews

[Kermy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Terrific explanation of method acting in historical context, illustrating the messy symbiotic relationship between writing and acting styles. 3.5 stars.