Remembering Gene Hackman

(I translated Korean to English with the help of AI.) 

Spoiler alert for the movies 'Superman (1978)' and 'The French Connection.'

The news of actor Gene Hackman's passing in February 2025 has been reported. While there's been much discussion surrounding his death, I won't delve into those details here. Instead, I'd like to honor him as an actor and remember him through the cinematic memories he gifted us.

Unlike today, where superhero movies dominate, the genre didn't receive much attention in the past. It was especially challenging for villains to stand out. The first actor I remember playing a villain in a superhero movie was Gene Hackman. In the 1978 film 'Superman,' Gene Hackman played the role of Lex Luthor.

It seems Gene Hackman's villainous performance didn't receive the widespread acclaim it deserved. Compared to the universal praise Jack Nicholson received for his portrayal of the Joker, Hackman's performance was relatively subdued. However, in my memory, Gene Hackman's portrayal of Lex Luthor, Superman's nemesis, was the first to leave a lasting impression.

After that, I frequently encountered Gene Hackman in movies broadcast on TV. 'The Poseidon Adventure' and 'A Bridge Too Far' come to mind. Even as time passed, he consistently graced us with theatrical releases. I could see him in works like 'Unforgiven,' 'The Firm,' 'The Quick and the Dead,' 'Crimson Tide,' 'Enemy of the State,' and many more.

Personally, my favorite films among Gene Hackman's works are 'The French Connection' series. It's a two-part film, with the first being an absolute masterpiece, and the second, contrary to expectations, being a well-made piece. I believe it's one of the few sequels that avoided the 'sequel curse.'

Thinking about the film 'The French Connection' now, it also brings to mind the Korean movie 'Nowhere to Hide.' Park Joong-hoon and Gene Hackman in the film seem strangely similar. It's a movie where Gene Hackman's distinctive personality shines through in his detective role. The film itself is also regarded as a monumental work, receiving praise for opening new horizons in the 'noir,' 'hard-boiled,' and 'investigation' genres.

Gene Hackman isn't a traditionally handsome actor, nor does he possess a particularly charismatic appearance. Even during his prime, he had a somewhat unfortunate lack of hair. However, he was an actor who taught us that there's more to an actor than looks. Just his presence in a film added credibility, and his performances elevated the film's quality. I find solace in being able to see him, even if only through his remaining filmography.

"Link to the Korean original"