The 1995 movie Ralph Fiennes considers his most unfairly overlooked: “It got quite a mixed response”
Ralph Fiennes has reflected on his 1995 role in Kathryn Bigelow's sci-fi thriller Strange Days, describing it as his most overlooked work. After his breakthrough in Schindler's List, Fiennes took on the role of Lenny Nero, a quick-witted ex-cop selling memory devices in a dystopian Los Angeles, a character far removed from the villainous types audiences had come to associate with him.
Despite Fiennes' commitment to the role and critical recognition for director Bigelow (who won a Saturn Award), the film was a significant commercial failure, earning only $17 million against a $42 million budget and receiving mixed reviews. Fiennes remains puzzled by the poor reception, acknowledging that casting an American actor as the lead character might have been a better choice, though he emphasises he gave the role his complete dedication.
- Ralph Fiennes reflects on his overlooked 1995 role in Strange Days.
- The sci-fi thriller failed commercially despite his committed performance.
- Fiennes questions whether casting affected the film's reception.
New here? Start with this
Ralph Fiennes is a British actor who achieved international recognition through his acclaimed performance in Steven Spielberg's Schindler's List in 1993. Shortly afterwards, he took on a role in the 1995 science fiction thriller Strange Days, directed by filmmaker Kathryn Bigelow.
In Strange Days, Fiennes played Lenny Nero, a quick-witted former police officer operating in a futuristic Los Angeles who sells memory recordings to clients. The role represented a departure from the type of character audiences had begun to associate with him following his breakthrough.
The film was a major commercial failure, earning far less than its budget, and received mixed critical reviews despite recognition for Bigelow's direction. Fiennes has since reflected on Strange Days as among his most overlooked works, puzzling over why the film failed to find an audience.