Some actors/comedians are good in whatever role they’re cast, while others should really stick to the one act that defines them. T.J. Miller is one of the latter. Sure he’s funny, he’s capable of delivering a timely one-liner and acting as a sidekick to the main characters, but when he’s on his own Miller has already proven that he’s more or less a train wreck just waiting to happen. The only thing that seems to keep him on the rails is keeping him in the movies (or on TV), where he seems to excel.
Let’s just put it out there to start with: T.J. Miller is a supporting actor. That’s it, that’s all, and any aspirations to anything else at this point are a bit ludicrous considering his latest stand-up performance. Weed jokes have come and gone and are hardly ever funny anymore, and physical comedy needs to be handled with a certain grace that he just doesn’t have. In short, this guy is famous largely for his sarcastic wit and somehow endearing role as the guy that just doesn’t care and won’t be able to bring himself to care in the near, mid, or far flung future. In essence he’s almost like the stoner whose sole purpose is to just be there to make a snappy comeback.
Let’s examine this a little closer. In Deadpool he played Weasel, the bartender that catered to the rough, tough, and dangerous crowd that was largely made up of soldiers of fortune, or mercenaries in other words. He was quick with a one-liner and just as adept at speaking his mind when it was needed, or when it wasn’t. He’s not a tough guy by any means, but his voice seems capable of conveying at least a bit of that attitude. It’s just a shame that his body can’t really back it up.
In Silicon Valley he plays Ehrlich Bachman, another guy with an acerbic wit and an inability to stand up for himself. Anyone seeing a trend here? Perhaps one of his better roles was as the lovable doofus Fred in Big Hero 6. This role actually seemed to be universally loved by many viewers, perhaps because it was fictional and yet still carried Miller’s attitude in a way that was fun and inviting. All of this still points to one crucial thing though.
He’s a supporting actor, not a lead.
Miller has the kind of nerve it takes to get up in front of people and spew whatever he happens to think is funny, but doesn’t yet seem to realize that to make people laugh you have to be genuinely amusing. His work on screen has been just short of amazing, but it’s been memorable enough that people still like him. Maybe one day he’ll learn the finer points of stand-up comedy, but it’s not today. Right now, as things stand, T.J. Miller needs to set down his mic and head on back to the acting gigs. Sorry Miller, but you’re not the star, yet.
Conclusion
It’s hard to admit when an actor is actually little more than a one-trick pony, but at the very least this kind of realization can help by identifying the problem so that a solution can be found. If Miller ever listens to a single bit of advice from his fans, he might actually realize that he’s better off sticking to his acting career.
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