Acting veteran Michael Caine believes the “most difficult” performance of his career is also the “best”.
The acclaimed actor, who featured in films like The Dark Knight, Kingsman: The Secret Service, and Educating Rita, picked up two Academy Awards in his career and a slate of other accolades. But his very best role, according to Caine, is a film he made alongside fellow on-screen legend, Harvey Keitel. Caine, who won two Oscars, one for the Woody Allen-directed Hannah and Her Sisters and another for The Cider House Rules nearly a decade later, shared he was still proud of his work in the Paolo Sorrentino feature. The Alfie star would pick up a Best Actor award at the 28th European Film Awards for his efforts on the “difficult” movie.
The film in question, Youth, also stars Paul Dano and Jane Fonda. Caine told 60 Minutes presenter Lesley Stahl he was particularly proud of the film and said he “made it look the most easy” of his works. He said: “Secretly, with myself, I regarded it as the best thing I ever did.” Caine added it was “the most difficult” performance he had ever given on screen.
Praise for the performance came from the movie’s director, with Sorrentino saying there was much in common with Caine and the character he played, the retired orchestra conductor, Fred Ballinger.
Sorrentino said: “Michael may say that he’s very different from the character he’s playing, but I don’t really think so. I think that both Michael and Fred are able to keep a distance from themselves and life. The right distance, that is.”
Caine’s work was roundly praised when Youth released in 2015. The actor would go on to perform for a further eight years, announcing his retirement in 2023. A statement from the star, released at the time, reads: “I keep saying I’m going to retire. Well, I am now.
“I’ve figured, I’ve had a picture where I’ve played the lead and had incredible reviews… what am I going to do that will beat this? The only parts I’m liable to get now are 90-year-old men. Or maybe 85.
“They’re not going to be the lead. You don’t have leading men at 90, you’re going to have young handsome boys and girls. So, I thought, I might as well leave with all this.” Caine took much convincing to take on what would be his final role in The Great Escaper, with reports suggesting the part was offered three times to the star.
Shortly after Caine’s retirement, he announced the release of his debut novel, Deadly Game. He said at the time: “It’s been my ambition for years to write a thriller. It’s the genre I most love to read, and I’ve really got a buzz out of working on Deadly Game and teaming up with Hodder once again to publish it.”
