Had he not tragically died in a 2016 freak accident, Anton Yelchin would’ve turned 30 on March 11. The son of Russian figure skaters who defected to the US, Yelchin was one of the most versatile and prolific actors of his generation—and we only got a hint of what he could’ve been capable of.
Find these films on the Portland Mercury’s shelf at Movie Madness (4320 SE Belmont, moviemadness.org) from Fri March 1 through Sun March 31.
Star Trek (2009, dir. J.J. Abrams)—J.J. Abrams’ greatest strength is casting, and in taking over Chekov’s chair (and accent), Yelchin made the leap from child actor to mainstream star.
Like Crazy (2011, dir. Drake Doremus)—An improvised romantic melodrama in which Yelchin is buffeted between the affections of Felicity Jones and Jennifer Lawrence. Musta been rough.