I'm not an airline pilot, but my Microlight is very heavy in roll, and gentle movements don't work except in dead calm conditions. So it's usually a big heave, wait till something happens, then back off and just keep whatever input is needed. The other aspect is the sheer inertia of something like a 747, it's going to take a bit to make it change direction. Otherwise you would be forever having to anticipate and start controlling before you actually needed to turn.