Timothée Chalamet has starred in an array of films since his 2014 debut, garnering himself international fame. Last month, Chalamet won a Screen Actor’s Guild award for his performance in the Bob Dylan biopic A Complete Unknown. Following his win, he gave a forthright speech, stating, “The truth is, I’m really in pursuit of greatness. I know people don’t usually talk like that, but I want to be one of the greats.” This statement prompted the question: is Chalamet just another facetious actor, or is he truly on the path to greatness? While many critics suggest the former, his career suggests the latter.
There are certain tropes that dominate the big screen, and a good actor can effectively fulfill them. A great actor, however, can tactfully defy them; and Chalamet does just that. He has extensively challenged the trope of the “innocent” character, which can be seen in the 2018 film Beautiful Boy. Chalamet plays the protagonist, a seemingly innocent teenager; throughout the plot, however, this character struggles with a covert drug addiction. This challenges norms by showcasing a character who both struggles with and retains a sense of innocence; furthermore, it frames addiction as an affliction, rather than a moral failing, which challenges pre-conceived notions of mental health. Another example of this defiance is the 2021 sci-fi adaptation Dune. In the film, Chalamet plays Paul Atreides, a thoughtful young man with a perceived moral “purity.” Atreides assumes a position of political authority—a position films nearly always portray as nefarious; yet Chalamet continues to depict Atreides as a virtuous character. This once again challenges the trope of “innocence” in films, further distinguishing Chalamet from the average actor.
Another aspect of greatness runs even deeper; the innate ability to “stick” with audiences. The average actor might leave a temporary impression on viewers, before quickly slipping their minds. A great actor is harder to forget, leaving a long-lasting impression on audiences. Chalamet has this crucial talent, which can be seen throughout his career. Take Greta Gerwig’s 2019 adaptation of Little Women which tells the story of four sisters. The second sister, Jo March, has two love interests: Friedrich Bhaer and Laurie Laurence (played by Chalamet). Jo ultimately marries Bhaer; however, he is rarely mentioned in discussions of the film, while Laurie’s pursuits of Jo have become nearly synonymous with the movie. In fact, most TikTok users will recognize the viral clip of Laurie pleading “It’s no use, Jo!”, following a failed marriage proposal. Chalamet’s character is unsuccessful in his pursuit of Jo, yet he is the one people remember.
Chalamet hopes to be one of the greats in the acting world, and his career is undeniably on the right track. He has not only broken the status quo with his roles, but he has also managed to stick with audiences; both significant markers of a truly great actor.
