Tuesday 18 December 2012

Alternate Best Supporting Actor 2005: Val Kilmer in Kiss Kiss Bang Bang

Val Kilmer did not receive an Oscar nomination, despite winning a Satellite award (yes that award is considered a bit of a joke but hey they awarded Javier Bardem for Skyfall so they can reward a good performance), for portraying  "Gay" Perry van Shrike in Kiss Kiss Bang Bang.

Val Kilmer here portrays a private detective who work for a film studio. In the beginning of the film he takes on our hero and accidental actor Harry (Robert Downey Jr) on an investigation to supposedly prepare him for a film role. Val Kilmer's character is named Gay Perry for a reason, and its not because he is happy all the time. Playing a character who is explicitly gay certainly is place for pitfalls as shown by the likes of Ed Harris and Tom Hanks. Kilmer though luckily does not fall into this. He uses a slight accent, and mannerisms in his performance but in a very low key fashion that only amplifies his character.

I might as well not beat about the bush and say that Kilmer is a joy to watch in this film as he, like Robert Downey Jr, knows just how to play the material. As Downey does in his lead performance he finds just the right tone for his performance being slightly comic throughout yet displaying such an ease with the more dramatic moments as well. Kilmer though is slightly different here as he is the supporting player whereas Downey is the lead. Kilmer properly makes Perry less sympathetic than Harry, although still very likable, but he properly has a more cynical edge that causes him to differ from Downey' performance.

Kilmer is great in the role as he takes a bit of a rougher approach to some of the material that work particularly well for the film, as well as does a lot to emphasize the experience that Perry has in the sort of matters that take place in the film oppose to Harry who is a bit more of a freshman. Kilmer is properly convincing in the role as Perry and Harry deal with the mystery. Kilmer has the proper conviction and strength in the role to properly suit the mentorish properties of Perry. Kilmer exudes just the right degree of confidence in the role that works well in the film, almost being a comforting factor at times because he shows Perry to be just about always on the ball.

Val Kilmer most importantly has terrific chemistry with Robert Downey Jr. They are just a great duo throughout the film, and they play off each other wonderfully making all of their scenes together delightful. Kilmer is excellent playing Perry as the smarter older, although less passionate of the two. He is particularly great in any scene where Perry straightens out Harry a little bit for the dumb decision he makes time to time. Kilmer is always hilarious in these moments having just the right bluntness in the moments. The two are just perfect together in their antagonistic scenes always bringing out the humor in their conflict brilliantly.

This is a very entertaining performance bringing the best out of the script of the film, and even out of Robert Downey Jr. They both just play the scenes so well that they do not overshadow each other than just amplify each other. Val Kilmer turns his mentor/partner character into just an extremely likable character throughout the film. Kilmer's performance here just works to the point that I have to admit I was very relieved when Perry was alive for no sensible reason at the end of the film other than Perry is just awesome. Kilmer is the one who makes Perry as awesome as he is. Kilmer gives another fantastic characterization here, and shows along with Tombstone that it is shame his talent is not exploited more often.

11 comments:

RatedRStar said...

have you seen him in The Doors Louis, cause I think his talents were fully utilised in that film, also ive now seen Argo and Lincoln, and I dont really see how Alan Arkin has been singled out over Cranston =(, I thought Arkin was just doing his usual grumpy performance.

Louis Morgan said...

I have not seen the Doors but he is pretty much guaranteed for 1991 lead.

I agree Arkin I thought Cranston was the best of the cast, and Arkin was fine but frankly it was just a lesser variation on his Oscar winning performance. I hope he is the Sag nominee who misses out, and not Bardem.

Anonymous said...

Oh no, Arkin's pretty much a lock, sadly. He's been getting nominated for everything.

Louis Morgan said...

Oh I think he probably will be nominated unfortuantely, but I can hope. If he gets Bafta he is a sure thing, but if he misses there is still hope.

RatedRStar said...

I might even be able to predict the altenate best supporting actor 2012 line up at this rate lol =D

Javier Bardem - Skyfall
Sam Rockwell - Seven Psychopaths
Ezra Miller - The Perks Of Being A Wallflower
Matthew McConaughey - Magic Mike
Tom Hardy - The Dark Knight Rises

Louis Morgan said...

I would not count out Christopher Walken in Seven Psychopaths. I hear he is in top form, and I absolutely love Walken when he throws himself completely into a role.

RatedRStar said...

I left him out cause well, u never no, academy might give him a veteran nom =D.

Michael Patison said...

You all speak as if he's bad. He's not he's just lackluster.

RatedRStar said...

he is lackluster and thats why its annoying, he already has his oscar, he doesnt need some extra pointless nomination, if he had been like Richard Burton and had never won then it wouldnt bover me if he got in cause I get kinda sad when people get so many noms and lose all of them =(.

Michael Patison said...

fair enough

Louis Morgan said...

I honestly thought he was fine, certainly better than Jonah Hill last year, but there are many great supporting turns this year, and there is no reason to reward Arkin.