Friday 11 September 2015

Alternate Best Supporting Actor 1976: Robert Duvall in Network

Robert Duvall did not receive an Oscar nomination for portraying Frank Hackett in Network.

Although Network received five Oscar nominations for acting Robert Duvall was left out of the supporting category with voters instead opting out for Ned Beatty's "one scene wonder" performance, leaving Duvall to be the only actor on the poster not to be nominated for that film. All things considered it does seem a bit of a random snub for Duvall. Any way Duvall plays a character who I suppose shows Network's less than subtle quality, which is that he plays a man named Hackett who's a corporate hatchet man. Not exactly trying to make the audience try to figure that out for themselves, but Network is a film that's definitely obvious in its purpose it just happens to do it so well, for the most part, that it completely works. Robert Duvall is an actor who quite efficient in finding the right tone of a performance for the film and his character as whether it requires a more gentle hand like in Tender Mercies or a more overt approach like in Apocalypse Now. Well when taking on the role of a Hatchet Man named Hackett it was probably wasn't difficult for Duvall to decide on which approach was the right one.

Duvall is terrific in being the Hatchet man in every scene. He walks into every one of the early scenes of the film with so little regard for anyone, and matches the intent of the character who intends to walk over everyone in order to meet his demands. Duvall accentuates the ruthlessness of Hackett incredibly well as he he brings such a particular bluntness to everything that he says, and there is not a delivery of his that does not have at least a tinge of viciousness of it. Duvall conveys as well the particular strategy of Hackett as he goes about attempting to take over the Network's news division from the more noble Max Schumacher (William Holden). Duvall in their initial confrontation Duvall presents Hackett as going forward with an unshakable command in himself as he basically states his intentions without any hesitations, basically sing everything will go as he expects it to while carrying just this general menace about himself that suggests a threat before Hackett has even made any. When Schumacher attempts to stop Hackett's takeover, Duvall is outstanding in unleashing the unholy fury of anger in Hackett as he goes about silencing the man through such smug assurance of his own position. 

As good as he is as being the straight forward unrelenting hatchet man he should, what I really like about Duvall's performance is that he actually shows a different type of character or man from, Howard Beale (Peter Finch), who's lost in his own insanity, Diana Christensen (Faye Dunaway) who's also insane in the way her whole life is ruled by her uncontrollable desire to conquer the world of television, to even the head of the insane head of the corporation Arthur Jensen (Beatty) whose lost in his philosophy of a corporation to rule the whole world. What I like about Duvall's work is he does not present Hackett as insane, at least not in the way the other people are, although one likely would still have to be a bit insane to devise to kill a man just because he has bad ratings. Duvall though does not portray Hackett as any sort of fanatic, which can be seen in the portrayals by Beale, Jensen, and Christensen. Duvall's good in infusing a more realistic bent for Hackett as he's only really motivated by money, and the power of a potential power. He has no actual beliefs, and Duvall portrays Hackett's ambition as far more to the point. This leads to rather effective scenes near the end of the film when threats to his success come in the form of an ever changing Beale. Duvall's very good by giving a humanity to Hackett, by showing just how genuinely worried and troubled he is by seeing his position threatened. Duvall does not present any presumptions in Hackett, his mind is always in the present, and when he decides on the final death Duvall shows Hackett just as swift to the judgment as Diana, but there is just something far more honest in the way he comes to the point. Duvall shows that Hackett feels that he has to, but Dunaway keeps it within Diana's out of reality tunnel vision (this is not a criticism of Dunaway's work in anyway by the way). Duvall gives a very strong performance here. His role actually is a bit thankless. He has a bit less screen time, and in a way his character is kinda inserted around the other who tend to get the "bigger" moment in any given scene. Duvall though still ensures an impact by making the most of what he does have, fulfilling his role as the representation of corporate heartlessness as well as offering an interesting dynamic by effectively realizing the exact nature of this heartlessness.

96 comments:

Calvin Law said...

Hm, a good review, but I get the vibe you like Weathers better; in which case, poof, goes my predictions.

Anonymous said...

Just as I predicted.
Ratings and thoughts on:
Joan Blondell in The Cincinnati Kid
Jessica Lange and Jeff Bridges in King Kong
Dustin Hoffman in Sleepers
Dana Andrews in Laura and Boomerang!

Luke Higham said...

Finch is now #1 as expected.

Louis: Is Dunaway still 4th, or has she moved up.

Luke Higham said...

Calvin:
Weathers - Strong Performance
Duvall - Very Strong Performance

You shouldn't give up on your prediction just yet.

Anonymous said...

Louis: what are your thoughts on Carol's latest trailer?

RatedRStar said...

I am still so excited about the Oscar season this year =D.

Luke Higham said...

RatedRStar: Me as well, though I promise to be subdued this time, when the nominations come about. :)

RatedRStar said...

Oh ill probably go mental as I always do lol.

RatedRStar said...

Even if I promised not to hate no more and be a good boy lol.

Anonymous said...

RatedRStar: You better not go crazy, Daniel.

Anonymous said...

Since Legend and Demolition are apparently average, looks like Hardy and Gyllenhaal will likely get 4,5's from Louis.

Robert MacFarlane said...

The Martian got a lot of great notices.

Luke Higham said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Luke Higham said...

Anonymous: Louis thought that Apt Pupil, The Running Man and Street Fighter were crap, yet he still gave 5s to McKellen, Dawson and Julia.

Robert: I guess, Scott's losing streak has ended.

L Rime said...

I had a feeling The Martian would be great. The novel was truly entertaining. I figured if they stuck to it with the script, Ridley was gonna knock it out of the park. Looks like he did.

Anonymous said...

Luke: Yeah, you're right that those three got fives. But all I'm saying is that I'm betting on Hardy and Gyllenhaal getting 4,5's for those films.
Robert: Looks like the great Ridley Scott is back again.

Luke Higham said...

Anonymous: I know you were only just predicting the outcome, but I just wanted to say that a 5 is still possible, regardless of the quality of the film. :)

I'm happy as hell for Scott, It's been 10 long years since Kingdom Of Heaven. :)

Louis Morgan said...

Anonymous:

Blondell - 3.5(I enjoyed her performance as I felt she brought a lot of character to the film, and suggested a whole past to the role even though the film never bothered to get into it. I felt she was bit underused actually, because she was off-beat in the right sort of way.)

Lange - 2.5(She's okayish at looking scared, but she does not rise above the terribleness of this version really. Well she's no Naomi Watts or even Fay Wray for that matter)

Bridges - 2.5(His facial hair is the most memorable part of his performance. He's not quite terrible, but again he does not overcome the badness of his material)

Hoffman - 2.5(He is only in the second half of Sleepers which is a problem for anyone who is in Sleepers. Hoffman though is only serviceable as a particularly crooked lawyer. There was a maybe potential for a bit more from that character, but not too much.)

Andrews - Laura - 3.5(Andrews is best when he's playing a more emotional character, that's not the case here so its not one of his best performances. In addition more things are against him in that he basically is forced to be overshadowed by Tierney, Price and Webb. Andrews is not bad in that he's does well in managing the subtle arc of his character. As he gradually goes from exasperation of indifference in the early scenes to a gradual fascination and sympathy for Laura by the end of the film)

Boomerang! - 3(An almost absurdly straight forward role in that he basically acts out a good guy following through on being good, but in the film's docudrama style it seems to avoid focusing on anything even slightly personal for the character. Once again as well the film forces him in the background, even though he is lead, through the far more colorful people associated with the case. Andrews is still fine though in just being so straight forward)

Anonymous:

Carol looks very promising.

Anonymous:

I would say it is possible for a performance to be great in an average film. I would also say its possible that someone could love a film and believe it to be great even if others don't like it or believe it to be average.

Luke Higham said...

Anonymous: Goodnight. :)

Luke Higham said...

Louis: For Lead Actress, has Dunaway moved up for that particular ranking.

Luke Higham said...

Louis: *1976

Luke Higham said...

Anonymous: Once Again, Goodnight. :)

Anonymous said...

Luke: Goodnight, Luke. :)
Louis: So, has Brando's performance in Missouri Breaks moved up to a 2,5?

Louis Morgan said...

Luke: Dunaway's in the same position.

Anonymous:

No Bridges should be a 2.

Calvin Law said...

Glad to hear good reviews regarding The Martian.

Calvin Law said...

Louis: any actors you think were misused for the majority of their career?

Anonymous said...

Calvin: Robert Ryan comes to mind.

Anonymous said...

Calvin: Wait, no, Ryan doesn't count. He delivered great performances as a character actor. Karloff, perhaps? Aside from horror and war movies, he could do comedy and drama. He was in the play of Arsenic and Old Lace. The film, despite being good, could have been better if he was in it.

Calvin Law said...

Yup, I would say Ryan is more of a case of underrated, in terms of having more range outside of what he was really known for. For me, the first name that comes to mind is Joseph Cotten.

Calvin Law said...

Would not really agree on Karloff as I do think he was best known for what he was best at.

Anonymous said...

Calvin: Ryan once played Othello. Another underrated actor you can think of?

Anonymous said...

So what are your thoughts on the 1976 remake of King Kong, Louis?

Luke Higham said...

I Saw The Light, has been getting pretty bad reviews, though there's some positive notices for Hiddleston.

I'm changing my Lead Actor Nominee prediction.
DiCaprio
Redmayne
Fassbender
Depp
Caine

Luke Higham said...

I predict a 4 at best for Hiddleston.

Calvin Law said...

I'm still praying for a McKellen nom, but that prospect grows dimmer day by day...:(

Yeah, I have a gut feeling Hiddleston will be a 4, in fact, Louis might probably rate him higher for Crimson Peak, as he has the Laurence Olivier in 'Rebecca' sort of role which bodes well.

Luke Higham said...

Calvin: It's a bit saddening for me as well, though a review should be consolation enough.

Anonymous said...

Looks like you're right about the predictions, Luke. I'm really starting to think that those will likely be the nominees.

Robert MacFarlane said...

I actually think Redmayne's chances are dying.

Luke Higham said...

Anonymous: I personally want the line-up to be predictable this year, since I don't think any of those 5, including Redmayne are going under a 4.5.

Luke Higham said...

Robert: Who do you think's gonna take that 5th spot then.

Calvin Law said...

Anyone here seen Black Snake Moan? Absolutely amazing performance by Samuel L Jackson, who's now my very close #2 for 2006 Lead Actor, and Christina Ricci (my new #2 for 2006 Lead Actress)

Luke Higham said...

Calvin: No I haven't, but since you mentioned it, it's one to watch.

Calvin Law said...

I think the following are likely 'upset' nominees, a la Demain Bichir:

Jason Segel
Tom Courtenay
Ben Foster (although I heard some unpromising vibes from various sources about the film itself)
Ian McKellen (PLEASE ACADEMY)
Don Cheadle

Calvin Law said...

Also wouldn't count out Bryan Cranston, Bradley Cooper (Burnt).

Anonymous said...

Calvin: That film sounds interesting.

Michael McCarthy said...

I wouldn't be so sure about Redmayne getting a 4.5, I'm hearing it's a very surface-level performance. And I'm still not sold on Fassbender in Steve Jobs yet.

Calvin Law said...

I could imagine GGs panning out like this:

Drama
DiCaprio
Depp
Fassbender
Redmayne
Segel

Comedy
Caine (although it's more dramatic than comedic apparently)
Cheadle
Damon (genre fraud)
Hiddleston
And...no idea

BAFTAs
Caine
Courtenay
McKellen
DiCaprio
Fassbender

Calvin Law said...

Mulligan
Blanchett
Lawrence
Moore
Vikander

Tomlin
Maggie Smith (Lady in the Van)
Streep
Binoche
Winslet

Mulligan
Blanchett
Rampling
Ronan
Blunt

Luke Higham said...

Calvin: For the BAFTA line-up, I can't see all 3 of the veterans getting in.

Anonymous said...

Luke: So what are your predictions for the BAFTA's?

Luke Higham said...

Anonymous:
Lead Actor
Caine
Courtenay
Redmayne
DiCaprio
Fassbender

Lead Actress
Mulligan
Blanchett
Rampling
Ronan
Vikander

Supporting Actor
Hardy
Rylance
Del Toro
Elba
Keitel

Supporting Actress
Winslet
Walters
Mara
Carter
Stewart

Anonymous said...

And Golden Globes, Luke?

Anonymous said...

Essie Davis has been cast in Game of Thrones, I'm so glad.

Michael McCarthy said...

I'd love to see Amy Schumer and Bill Hader get Golden Globe nominations for Trainwreck, and I don't think it would be too much of a reach either.

Luke Higham said...

Anonymous: I'm pleased with the news, it goes to show how much I love that show.

Luke Higham said...

Anonymous:
Actor Drama
DiCaprio
Redmayne
Fassbender
Depp
Keaton (Might go Supporting)
Alt. Hanks

Actress Drama
Mulligan
Blanchett
Vikander
Blunt
Lawrence

Actor M & C
Caine
Cheadle
Segel (I'll be honest, apart from the trailer, I haven't paid much attention to it)
Cranston
Hiddleston

Actress M & C
Tomlin
Smith
Bullock
McCarthy (Surprise Nom, Perhaps)
Streep

Supporting Actor
Hardy
Rylance
Del Toro
Keitel
Jackson
Alt. Rogen

Supporting Actress
Winslet
Walters
Leigh
McAdams
Stewart

Anonymous said...

I don't think Caine would go in Comedy. It would be category fraud if it really happened, as Youth is definitely a drama (and a very sad one actually) despite having a few comedic moments.

Luke Higham said...

Anonymous: I went with Calvin's word on that one. From the trailer, it's definitely a drama.

Anonymous said...

Luke: Most of your predictions for the Golden Globes are very spot-on.

Luke Higham said...

Anonymous: Thanks. :)

Anonymous said...

Luke: I think that Tarantino will win Original Screenplay.

Luke Higham said...

Anonymous: Looking at the competition, I have to agree with you. For the Screenplay GG, it's either that or Steve Jobs/The Revenant.

Luke Higham said...

Apologies for the deleted comments, I keep making Grammatical/Spelling errors.

Anonymous said...

Luke: No worries, I do so too at times, lol. I'm starting to believe that Cotillard won't be nominated this year, which is quite a shame if you ask me.

Luke Higham said...

Anonymous: To be perfectly honest, I gave up on Cotillard during Venice or Telluride. Unsurprisingly, Weinstein isn't campaigning (As much as I Hate it) for her work. He still seems to have an agenda against her.

Luke Higham said...

Louis: Do you plan on seeing any 2015 films (Far From The Madding Crowd, Testament Of Youth And Slow West Etc.) within the next month.

I know, I always keep asking you about that particular subject, usually once or twice a week, but I hope the drought ends soon, as we're getting closer to awards season.

Luke Higham said...

Louis: Plus, I do remember, that you'll give me those films in advance.

Luke Higham said...

I know, I always *kept asking you about that particular subject.

Anonymous said...

Luke: So what are your updated predictions for Supporting Actor and Actress for the Oscars?

Luke Higham said...

Anonymous:
I'll give an update for Lead Actress as well.
Mulligan
Blanchett
Vikander
Lawrence
Tomlin

Supporting Actor
Hardy
Rylance
Cooper
Jackson
Del Toro
Regardless, if he's Lead or Supporting, I think Elba will miss out due to category confusion.

Supporting Actress
Leigh
Winslet
Walters
Mara
Stewart or McAdams

Anonymous said...

Luke: Keaton is still likely to get nominated though.

Luke Higham said...

Anonymous: I think so too, but I'll update my predictions again whenever his category placement is decided on by studio executives.

Luke Higham said...

Anonymous: As well as the first batch of critics awards.

Anonymous said...

Luke: I have a feeling that they could nominate Jane Fonda in Youth.

Luke Higham said...

Anonymous: She might get a veteran vote, but I personally wouldn't bet on it.

Anonymous said...

I hope they nominate Fonda as her performance is a true one-scene-wonder. Her character is on-screen for like six minutes but she's totally amazing in adding so many layers to Brenda. I loved her.

Anonymous said...

Anonymous: Fonda must be great, then.

Luke Higham said...

Louis: I see that you've watched Lord Of War. Can I have your rating & thoughts on Nicolas Cage.

Anonymous said...

Luke: I bet he's a 4.

Robert MacFarlane said...

Judging by his ranking, Cage is a 4.

Luke Higham said...

Anonymous & Robert: I know he's a 4. I just like seeing the rating alongside his thoughts.

Luke Higham said...

Louis: Ben Foster went method with his performance in The Program.

Luke Higham said...

Louis: He actually used Performance-Enhancing Drugs.

Louis Morgan said...

Calvin:

Majority of their career? Off the top of my head no. Dana Andrews maybe, but I really haven't seen that much of his work.

Luke:

Cage - 4(The film itself I felt was a lot like the director's other film Gattaca in that I felt it was decent as it was, as well as there always seemed potential for greatness there, but the film has too many threads none which they develop well enough. Cage is effective in the role as it really calls upon his unique style well. That being he's plays the arms dealer as a straight froward businessman in part, but the twist is in Cage's work as he puts an underlying insanity in his typical Cage style. I feel the film falters in that where the character goes is too rushed. Cage still stays consistent, though the final scenes of his character should have been more powerful, though its not Cage's fault that they're not)

I also watched Love & Mercy, and one I know everyone was waiting for my thoughts on Run All Night (please note the sarcasm on the second part).

That's nothing in regards to Foster, he almost went blind for Alpha Dog.

Anonymous said...

Luke: That's typical of those types of actors. They take risks, but they can be quite a pain in the ass to work with.

Luke Higham said...

Louis: Your Rating & Thoughts on the casts of those films, as well as your thoughts on them overall.

Anonymous said...

I think that most people tend to forget that John Garfield was the first actor to use the Method. I, sometimes don't even understand the meaning of Method acting, when actors have their own method of acting.

Luke Higham said...

Anonymous: I'm very well-acquainted with the concept of Method Acting, I'm just a bit surprised that he actually used Performance-Enhancing Drugs.

Anonymous said...

Luke: Well, that's method acting for you. I just think that there is no such thing as THE Method. Every actor has a method.

Luke Higham said...

Anonymous: In that sense, I agree with you. Everyone has their own style, yet it could lead to typecasting.

Anonymous said...

Luke: As much as I love DDL, it would be a pain in the ass to work with him.

Luke Higham said...

Anonymous: If I was a professional actor, I'd actually like to have the experience, just the once. I'm sure DDL, will mellow with age.

Matt Mustin said...

I would *love* to work with Daniel Day-Lewis. Just to analyze him and the way he works.

Anonymous said...

Luke: Yeah, you're right about DDL. I'm just saying that if I was already an actor at this time, it would be tough. That happened with Pacino, De Niro, Hoffman and Nicholson. They have mellowed a lot. Anyway, I think I would only like to have that experience only once, much like you. I sure as hell wouldn't like to irritate my wife after filming by acting like the character.

Luke Higham said...

Anonymous: :)

Louis Morgan said...

Luke:

Love & Mercy - (I won't say its a great film though I preferred over many a musical biopics, since it did not just follow that boring Walk The Line/Ray structure, and found at least something a bit new by following just these two specific moments in Brian Wilson's life. What I liked most was it bothered to get into the creative process of the musician, which I felt was severely lacking in those earlier films. I don't think the ending quite comes together as well as it possibly could, but all in all I thought it was an interesting film.)

I guess I'm in the minority since I have to save I'm saving Dano and Cusack at the moment(don't worry it'd be a joint review if I were to review them).

Banks - 3.5(I thought she offered some very fine support and I felt a genuine warmth and love in her scenes with Cusack. In addition she brought the needed passion to her scenes where she stands up to Landy)

Giamatti - 2.5(It's understandable why he'd be so extreme of a performance, but I felt there was possibly a great performance in the character of Eugene Landy though Giamatti does not find it. He just hits the notes to hard, and I feel the character should have gotten a bit more under the skin than he does. Giamatti is just always too obvious in his anger)

Run All Night - (I guess Liam Neeson is kinda the John Wayne of crime thrillers these days. I don't think this was a terrible entry into the series of films, though not an especially good one. It's mostly serviceable though as a crime thriller. It's attempts at style don't work out, but these just enough of an emotional core to keeps things together. It's not particularly good, but I did not mind watching it)

Neeson - 3(Neeson is good at it, and this is some solid enough Neesoning. You know what, unlike say someone like Bruce Willis, Neeson does not phone it in. He brings what he needs to in the emotional scenes, and certainly works well in the action scenes. It's unfortunate that the emotions of the film are uncut by.....)

Kinnaman - 1(I'll admit the film does not help in trying to make him seem excessively good. Kinnaman though is ridiculously bland and unlikable in the role though. You just never feel he's on even ground with Neeson and because of that nothing comes from their relationship in the film. His final key reaction at the end of the film is particularly grating since it fails to make use of what Neeson just did.)

Harris - 3(Harris is basically doing a reprise of his State of Grace character. Again he's good. He brings the appropriate menace, and he and Neesons are effective in conveying some sort of history between the two. He's not quite given enough time to really flesh out his character, but he does well with what he has.)

Common - 1.5(Well at least a performance like this allows one to see why Javier Bardem in No Country For Old Men is something special. Common is reserved and kills people, but there's not a hint of menace in his whole performance. His work just feels empty)

McGill and Nolte both feel wasted though they're both fine.