Hey Zipp.

Why are you yelling?

There's a section here that sums up my thoughts on the miscasting:
Click for one of the more interesting reviews I've read of the film

Note that miscast doesn't always equal a poor performance. A lot of people don't understand that; an actor or actress can pull off a great performance but still be miscast for the role.

I would actually put forward Richard Harris as one of the most miscast actors of all time.

Normally I wouldn't agree with that, because if an actor does turn in a good performance, then to me, he or she was well-cast. That's not a bad argument against Page, though.

Nightmare, I was yelling because I was unable to get an answer out of Zipp in the other topic and was therefore trying to be more direct here.

Yeah, that was my biggest problem with her. I believe that, in the original script, she was probably written as an older character. I felt like there was a gap in the character interactions, where Page was originally meant to provide a potential second-love interest for DiCaprio. I think this is evident in the wife's jealousy towards her in several scenes and the rivalry that is built between those two characters.

Yet, because of Page's age, the thought of her as a match for DiCaprio came off as weak and ultimately isn't developed in the film.

Not that DiCaprio's character should've ended up with Page... not at all, but there was an excellent opportunity for tension there that was mostly lost.

I thought Richard Harris was great as Dumbledore. Much better than the guy they got to replace him (whose name I can't remember right now... Ian Gambon or something like that maybe?)

Of course, I'm well aware he was cast in many other roles as well. Marcus Arelius in Gladiator comes to mind. I don't know his other roles though.

He was amazing as Dumbledore but, characteristically, it was a role he hated playing!

Summer Glau was horribly wrong for that Terminator TV show.

But the show was awful anyway so that might be why.

That's an excellent example. She didn't act poorly in that (though I don't think she's a great actor, actually) but she was horribly cast.

Firefly, on the other hand, had incredible casting which disguised some occasionally poor acting (more on the women's side than the male's side).

To me, it's a matter of whether an actor or actress can overcome the audience's expectations regarding casting. A decent but unexceptional performance can still feel like the result of miscasting; a great performance is the result of good casting, no matter what. I can't think of any example that contradict that, though maybe you can.

Summer Glau was horribly wrong for that Terminator TV show.
I thought so at first, but she grew on me a lot.

I didn't even know who Summer Glau was, but I have to say... she was perfectly cast in the newest episode of "Chuck." Her acting wasn't necessarily anything terrific, but she performed in that role so perfectly that I'm sad it was only a one-shot deal.

Suskie, you are absolutely right and I'm pleased to hear someone say that. Many of our "greatest" actors were only great actors because of great casting choices.

Two potential deviations from that, in my mind, are Heath Ledger and Daniel Dey-Lewis. I'm not sure that they could (or could have, in Heath's case) been wrongly cast in anything.

Well, I remember a lot of people (including myself) thought Ledger playing the Joker was an odd choice when they first heard about it. Now look where we are.

All pretending really hard he was better than he was because now he's dead?

I'll freely admit that I never gave two craps about Heath Ledger until he played the Joker. He was quite good in Brokeback Mountain but that's the only other performance of his that comes to mind.

He was incredible in Candy.

I have Dark Knight on Blu-Ray but haven't watched it, Ben, so you're not the only one capable of blowing minds!

I wish I hadn't seen it yet. That would make for an enjoyable evening.