Russell Brand

Russell Brand's elaborate phrasing and camp delivery suit a character who is pleased with himself. As the self-absorbed rock star Aldous Snow in Forgetting Sarah Marshall (2008), he has precisely that opportunity. His comic timing and physical presence make the supporting part count. We rate him most highly in this sort of role, where other performers can take over before the eccentricity becomes tiring.

The move into leading roles tested how long that pleasure could last. Get Him to the Greek (2010) returns to Snow and pairs Brand with Jonah Hill, allowing some vulnerability into the raunch. Nicholas Stoller, who also directed Forgetting Sarah Marshall, gets useful comedy out of that partnership. The pairing works, though a whole feature spent with this character can make his habits wear thin.

In Despicable Me (2010), voicing the elderly inventor Dr. Nefario gives him a smaller, more clearly defined task. We enjoyed the gadgets and comic timing, and found the appeals for affection a little wearing. The film's chief pleasures are Steve Carell's voice work and the Minions' mischief, rather than a performance built around Brand. That is a useful reminder that a comedian's contribution need not be the main attraction to belong in a film we recommend. The predictable story is a drawback, but the amiable humour makes this a sounder recommendation than a vehicle resting entirely on his eccentricity.

Arthur (2011) exposes that difficulty: the familiar persona does too much of the work, and the character supplies too little contrast. Brand can be funny without making a leading character sufficiently interesting to follow for a whole film. His animation work, including Creek in Trolls (2016), offers another use for a performer with such a recognisable verbal manner. Start with Despicable Me for a family evening, or Forgetting Sarah Marshall to see why the larger roles followed.