If you only know James Caan as Santino, you have to answer for that.
Caan, who died Thursday at 82, made movie magic as Sonny Corleone in “The Godfather” and (briefly) “The Godfather Part II,” but there was a lot more to the actor than his signature role. So if you’re not familiar with the Caan catalog, head to your go-to movie site, find these flicks and, bada-bing, be prepared to be blown away.
‘Brian’s Song’ (1971)
When this ABC Movie of the Week came out, TV films played a distant second fiddle to features, which held all the prestige. But “Brian’s Song” was different — even movie snobs loved it. In the true story, Caan played Brian Piccolo, a Chicago Bears running back dying of cancer, and Billy Dee Williams was teammate and future Hall of Famer Gayle Sayers. The relationship between the two football players was a true love story, and Caan and Williams had hardened football fans crying like babies.
‘The Gambler’ (1974)
Caan seemingly has it all: a successful career as a college professor and a gorgeous girlfriend played by Lauren Hutton. Betting brings him down, forcing him to borrow thousands from his mother to keep Paul Sorvino’s big bad guy Hips from taking a pound of flesh in lieu of cash. The film was remade in 2014 with Mark Wahlberg in the title role, but even if you’ve seen that version, check out Caan’s original.
‘Rollerball’ (1975)
Caan was on a roll in the ′70s, so why not try him on skates? In this futuristic sci-fi thriller, he plays Jonathan E., a star in rollerball, a roller-derby-type sport also featuring players on motorcycles. Caan has another ‘70s supermodel as a co-star, Maud Adams, in the dystopian film set in an ugly, far-off future — the year 2018.
‘Thief’ (1981)
Caan is a safecracker who longs for a more stable life — and the beautiful Tuesday Weld — in the first feature film directed by Michael Mann. Before he can get out of the life, he needs one more big score, setting up a spellbinding film that features Willie Nelson in a key supporting role.
‘Misery’ (1990)
Audiences were used to seeing Caan dishing out punishment — like Sonny Corleone pummeling Carlo Rizzi with his fists, his feet, his teeth and a garbage can. This Rob Reiner adaptation of a Steven King novel turns the tables, with obsessed fan Kathy Bates terrorizing Caan’s bestselling author because he is going to kill off Bates’ favorite heroine. If that’s not enough, there is also Lauren Bacall.
Still need more? Check out 1974′s “Freebie and the Bean;” 1990′s “Dick Tracy,” with Caan in a small-but-funny role that reunites him with “Godfather” bro Al Pacino; 1993′s “The Program;” and 2000′s “The Yards,” with Mark Wahlberg, Joaquin Phoenix, Charlize Theron and a New York City setting.
And, of course, there’s 2003′s “Elf,” with Caan playing the dad to Will Ferrell’s Buddy the elf in a family favorite a world removed from “The Godfather.”
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