Review: 'The Words' With Dennis Quaid

His solid performance in this muddled drama is a reminder of his best movies. We've got a list

by: Meg Grant, from: AARP, September 7, 2012

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Dennis Quaid has a new movie out called The Words.

Dennis Quaid is one of the stars of "The Words." See this if you like, but here are some better Quaid films to enjoy. — AP Photo/Danny Moloshok

My Favorite Dennis Quaid Films

That crooked smile, those dazzling eyes, are always fun to watch — even in The Words. If you're a fan, check out some of these flicks for Quaid at his best.

The Right Stuff (1983): As Mercury 7 astronaut Gordon Cooper, Quaid has just the right amount of moxie and deep-seated angst to play a space cowboy.

The Big Easy (1986): Though Quaid has admitted he was in the throes of cocaine addiction while filming this, his sexy New Orleans drawl is spot on, and he meets his romantic match in Ellen Barkin.

Great Balls of Fire (1989): The guy's got an uncanny gift for impersonation, playing a rollicking, wild Jerry Lee Lewis in this (and a pretty good version of Bill Clinton in the 2010 TV movie, The Special Relationship).

The Parent Trap (1998): He's a good dad (even to Lindsay Lohan). Say no more.

The Rookie (2002): He's just a natural as a baseball player, channeling, once again, a real-life character, the pitcher Jim Morris, who made the big leagues in his 30s.

Far From Heaven (2002): Quaid has never been better playing serious than in his role as a married man (opposite Julianne Moore, who is equally astounding in this fantastic portrait) who's hiding a secret.

Soul Surfer (2011): OK, the shark story was true though tabloidy, but Quaid was totally believable as the Kauai surfer dad who helped his daughter reclaim her life.

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