James Corden Should Play Jerks More Often

by

James Corden once worried people didn’t see him as a serious actor, a feeling he expressed in his 2011 memoir. That was before he became widely known as the host of the Late Late Show, and it’s likely even fewer think of him that way now. That’s why it’s surprising to see him in Steven Soderbergh’s new film, The Christophers. He plays Barnaby Sklar, the clumsy and manipulative son of a famously unpleasant artist, Julian Sklar (Ian McKellen). The movie centers on the growing connection between Julian and a younger painter, Lori Butler (Michaela Coel), who Barnaby and his sister Sallie (Jessica Gunning) hire to either finish or forge some of Julian’s final paintings, hoping to sell them for a fortune. While Corden doesn’t have a large role, watching his character awkwardly navigate the scenes, I was struck by a thought: he’s actually very good at playing unlikeable characters, and maybe he should take on more roles like this.

Watching him in this role brought to mind one of James Corden’s early acting performances, a stark contrast to his current work. In Mike Leigh’s moving but somber 2002 film, All or Nothing, Corden played Rory, a troubled teenager who suffers a heart attack during an argument. The film featured a talented cast including Timothy Spall, Leslie Manville, Ruth Sheen, and a young Sally Hawkins, and Corden more than held his own. Rory is a typical Leigh character – flawed and often unlikeable, yet deeply human. When All or Nothing was first released, Corden was relatively unknown, though he’d gained some recognition for his role in the British series Fat Friends. I certainly didn’t recognize him then. Revisiting the film years later for its restoration, I was surprised to realize that this gruff, unpleasant young man would become the upbeat TV host and personality we know today.

James Corden has had some decent voice acting roles lately, but his live-action performances haven’t been as successful. While he seemed to enjoy playing the character of Bustopher Jones in the movie Cats, the film itself wasn’t well-received. In Ryan Murphy’s The Prom, a movie widely considered difficult to watch, Corden plays a flamboyant Broadway star struggling with personal issues. He and costars Meryl Streep and Nicole Kidman travel to a small town in Indiana to help a lesbian student who’s been prevented from attending her prom. According to Vanity Fair‘s Richard Lawson, Corden’s performance lacked depth and relied on shallow stereotypes. A major flaw of The Prom, and Corden’s role in it, is that the film attempts to create heartfelt moments from a situation that feels ultimately fake. Ironically, Corden is most believable when his character is simply self-absorbed and unpleasant.

I’m supposed to suggest James Corden might be self-absorbed, but I don’t actually know if that’s true. I do know restaurateur Keith McNally banned him from his restaurants a while back, but mistakes happen. I didn’t watch much of The Late Late Show, though I’ve seen clips like everyone else. It seemed best when it felt natural and unscripted, but it became more produced and geared towards the audience as the show went on. (My colleagues Bethy Squires and Jen Chaney discussed Corden’s impact on late-night TV in 2023.) To be honest, I rarely thought about James Corden, but I’ve noticed his performances in some interesting films – and that feels significant.

Before becoming a well-known personality in the tabloids and on late-night television, James Corden had a solid career in TV and theater. He co-created and starred in the beloved and critically praised British comedy Gavin & Stacey, and he led the hugely successful stage play One Man, Two Guvnors. While his film work wasn’t as prominent, he had some memorable supporting roles early on – like his fun appearance as a friend to a young James McAvoy in the 2006 film Starter for 10, and a charming cameo in Shane Meadows’ 1997 film Twentyfourseven with Bob Hoskins. However, he didn’t often get leading roles. A 2009 horror-comedy he starred in, Lesbian Vampire Killers, unfortunately failed with both critics and audiences.

As James Corden’s fame grew, he increasingly took roles that emphasized his public image as someone determined to ensure everyone around him is having fun. He’s stated his intention to create positive content, and one article described his Late Late Show as a vehicle for spreading happiness. Others have noted his infectious enthusiasm and ability to make guests feel comfortable and open up. This approach has worked well for segments like “Carpool Karaoke,” which have been hugely popular, and that’s something Corden deserves credit for.

Despite his success, James Corden attracts a surprising amount of negativity alongside his popularity, both in the US and the UK. Even before he hosted the Late Late Show, criticism was common. One writer compared the public’s relationship with Corden to a troubled, self-destructive dynamic. When he announced his return to the UK after leaving the show, it wasn’t met with widespread celebration. Perhaps Corden’s attempts to take on lighter, more upbeat roles in films like Cats, The Prom, and Ocean’s 8 are a reaction to this negativity, a way to prove people wrong. But he might be better off embracing the criticism and playing into it. He excels at darker, more cynical characters, and his recent role in The Christophers is a good example. There’s also talk that Mike Leigh is working on a new film, which could be another good fit.

Read More

2026-04-09 22:55