Walton Gogginshas starred in some of the most popular TV shows of the 2020s, butRotten Tomatoessays his 2022 hidden gem is the best film he’s made thus far. Known for his intense performances and one-of-a-kind look, Goggins is not like a lot of his Hollywood contemporaries.
Hearkening back to an older age, Goggins brings lived experience to his roles and has been doing so for decades as he slowly built a reputation. He began working in the 1980s, and found consistent work in smaller movie and TV roles throughout the 1990s. In the 2000s,Goggins was a bona fide character actor, stealing the show every time.
Shows likeJustifiedmade him a household name, andThe Righteous Gemstonesmade him beloved, but his big screen work is often overlooked. Though he’s been appearing in movies for over three decades, Goggins hasn’t quite landed that film role that’s defined his career. As such, his highest-rated movie is a recent hidden gem that deserves a second look.
Dreamin' Wild Is Walton Goggins' Best Film On Rotten Tomatoes
Scoring an impressive 90% onRotten Tomatoes, Walton Goggins' highest-rated movie (thus far) is an understated musical biopic calledDreamin' Wild. Based on the real-life Emerson brothers, the film catches up with the mostly-failed musical duo as their simple lives are transformed by a sudden rush of newfound popularity.
Dreamin' Wildreceived a limited theatrical release.
Unlikemost musical biopicswhich are large and bombastic spectacles,Dreamin' Wildis small-scale and focuses on the personal conflicts of the Emersons and their loved ones. Goggins co-stars alongside Casey Affleck as Joe Emerson, and the movie’s rough-around-the-edges feel gives the characters real weight. What it lacks in budget, it makes up for with a strong ensemble cast.
Dreamin' Wildactually has something interesting to say about its subjects. Too many biopics get bogged down in historical detail, and often don’t have much else to show the audience. The 2022 film is the exact opposite, withthe inherent drama of the brothers' lives making for compelling cinema, and the music is just a bonus.
Walton Goggins Is Making A Habit Of Portraying Real People
Though Goggins has a distinctive look that makes him stand out,he has carved a nice niche for himself playing real-life figures in movies.Dreamin' Wildmight be the high point of his cinematic career thus far, but he also played historical figures inThe Luckiest Man in AmericaandQueen of the Ring.
Flashing his toothy grin inThe Luckiest Man in America, Goggins got to have some fun playing game show host Peter Tomarken. Meanwhile, he appeared as legendary wrestling promoter Jack Pfefer inQueen of the Ring. While the two parts were wildly different, it’s the human element ofWalton Goggins' style that makes him so adept at playing real people.
