Tom Hardy’stime as San Francisco’s Lethal Protector is coming to an end, asVenom: The Last Danceis set to bethe actor’s last appearance as the iconic anti-hero. Over the past decade, Hardy has had a tremendous run as one of the premier action stars. Fromhis imposing outing as BaneinThe Dark Knight Risestothe relentlessly intense endeavor of Mad MaxinMad Max: Fury Road, Hardy has demonstrated a fearlessness with physicality. However, while he’s best known for these rugged performances,one of Hardy’s older films demonstrates the actor’s versatility, pointing him to a genre that most audiences might not expect: romantic comedies.
Back in 2012, Hardy starred inThis Means War, a genre-blending movie that combined romantic comedy with exciting spy action. Despite its earnest ambitions,This Means Warwas met with a less-than-favorable critical response, receiving plenty of negative reviews and stark criticisms. But though the film may not be the most well-made of his movies,This Means Warhighlights Hardy’s ineffable charm, illuminating the actor’s genuine potential as a rom-com leading man.
‘This Means War’ Combines Spy Action with a Rom-Com Love Triangle
Directed byMcG,This Means Warfollows Tuck (Hardy) and FDR (Chris Pine), a pair of CIA agents and best friends, who discover that they are dating the same woman, Lauren Scott (Reese Witherspoon). While the friends-turned-rivals are trapped behind desk duty,their competition for Lauren’s affection turns into a real spy vs. spy war of sabotage and espionage, injecting action into their comedic romantic hijinks.While Lauren’s perspective plays out like a classic rom-com character, wracked with indecision over her numerous romantic options, she is juxtaposed against the secret agents' more explosive interactions. But every good spy knows the stakes that come with their profession, as the dangers of their secret work eventually overlap with the sparks of their dating endeavors.
Tom Hardy and Chris Pine’s Rivalry Steals the Show
While the star power inThis Means Waris quite exceptional — Hardy, Pine, and Witherspoon are all as charming as ever — the film itself isn’t anything groundbreaking, with some fun action and cheeky humor in a relatively straightforward romance. In fact,the most engaging dynamic in the movie is the rivalry between Tuck and FDR, as Hardy and Pine duke it out in a battle of charm and presence.Both the characters and the actors serve as surprisingly engaging narrative foils, despite the romantic aspects of the scripts being pretty unoriginal.
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Though Tuck appears to be the more rugged of the pair, he also reveals a more understated and gentle kindness, especially concerning his ex-wife and young son. On the other hand, FDR’s playboy charm belies a deeper and more complex inner world. These complementary yet contrasting traits are also an understated reflection of the actors as well, with Chris Pine bringing the same cheeky charm as Captain Kirk inStar Trekto contrast with Hardy’s rugged persona established inWarrior.
Tom Hardy’s Rugged Charm Makes Him Perfect for Rom-Coms
In the years since this spy flick’s release, Hardy has only become more known for playing characters who are rough around the edges, seemingly distancing him from the rom-com crowd. It’s hard to imagine the Road Warrior himself being able to have the sensitive and affectionate charm needed in that type of leading man. However, despite all its criticisms,This Means Warperfectly highlights Hardy’s more personable side, one that can take the gruffness of a character and make it utterly endearing. There is intrigue in contrast, and Hardy is capable of combining intimidating action physicality with a quiet softness that is ideal for a more complex romantic lead.
And he’s not out of practice either. TheVenom trilogy likewise demonstrates Hardy’s exceptional leading man qualities,which shine through evenamid some negative critical reception. It would be an absurd declaration to call theVenommovies romantic comedies, but with the inclusion of both romantic subplots and a signature brand of humor, the trilogy does still affirm the qualities Hardy demonstrated inThis Means War. And just because these films weren’t centered around a romance doesn’t mean that it’s devoid of heart, as the connection between Venom and Eddie Brock is ultimately a love story that serves as the through line in the series. But whileThis Means Warplaced Hardy in a more grounded role,Venomallowed him to go all-out with his expressiveness, showing off an expanded versatility that makes him the perfect actor for genre-blending projects.
It feels like romantic comedies have been making a comeback at the box office, with movies likeAnyone But Youraking in millions and illuminating a resurgence in love for the genre. But it’s not just nostalgia for classic rom-coms either, asThe Fall Guytook a successful stab at combining action and romance, showing that there is room to be daring in this type of story. Ultimately, Hardy might not be the first name that comes to mind when thinking of a rom-com lead,but with the right project and co-star, it might just be the perfect next direction for the actor.
This Means War
This Means Waris available to rent on Amazon.
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