I guess that quite a few of his best-known roles do conform to a certain 'type' - he is heavily associated with Linklater, whose muse he most certainly is. And he does have a tendency to coast on his easy charm at times, which may explain why he is rarely mentioned in discussions of great contemporary actors.

But he is most definitely a terrific actor, one whom I always enjoy watching and with considerable range.

My favourite Hawke movie is the beautiful A Midnight Clear and my favourite performance is his electrifying work in Tape, but it was clear all the way back in Dead Poets Society - wherein he was the clear standout from the cast - that he had talent.

Jeez, I feel bad myself now as I haven't seen either of those films that you mentioned. Must put them on my list! Recently I thought he was great as Chet Baker in BORN TO BE BLUE and, of course, brilliant in BOYHOOD. He was also a defining actor of the 1990s with a River Phoenix type aura about him.

Haha don't feel too bad - I haven't seen Born to Be Blue.

I agree that he was superb in Boyhood.

A Midnight Clear is one of my favourite films of the 1990s, and one of the most moving war movies I have ever seen. Quite enchanting, deeply affecting and hard to shake.

Tape is a little rough around the edges, necessarily restricted cinematically by it's limited setting but searingly acted and quite riveting. Hawke is phenomenal in it.

Have you seen his performance as Hamlet? I've heard mixed things about it but have been meaning to take a look at that for a long time, might check it out soon.

They sound like intriguing films, thanks for the recommendations. I wasn't aware that he was in an update of HAMLET but I have seen him as the Pip character in the modern version of GREAT EXPECTATIONS. My expectations weren't exactly great (!) for the film, but it was quite artfully done and gorgeously filmed. Alfonso Cuaron directed it. You should give it a whirl, it's well made.

Yes I have seen Great Expectations, years ago. Flawed, but I did enjoy it.

Yes his Hamlet came and went with little fanfare. My local library has a copy. I'll probably check it out. It sounds intriguing, if only for the cast.

Helluva cast in there alright. I don't recognize the director's name though. Kenneth Branagh did a much better job with the original text. And Olivier, well he was just spellbinding.

I like both Olivier and Branagh's Hamlets, although I do wish Branagh in particular had cast someone else in the title role. Great film, distracting central performance.

Olivier is clearly too old for the role, but he's Olivier in his Shakespearian comfort zone, so class is guaranteed.