Sunday 14 February 2016

Alternate Best Actor 2015: Jason Bateman in The Gift

Jason Bateman did not receive an Oscar nomination for portraying Simon Callum in The Gift.

The Gift is an effective psychological thriller about a married couple Simon and Robyn (Rebecca Hall) moving into a new home though their lives are quickly changed when they run into an old school "friend" of Simon's named Gordo (Joel Edgerton).

The old suburban set psychological thriller is being a bit dusted off here in that the genre's popularity seems to have waned a bit at least when compared to its prevalence in the 80's and 90's. As is often the case for this sort of story it does start simply enough with a normal married couple. Jason Bateman is already somewhat unusual choice to be even as the lead of psychological thriller, given his background mostly consists of fairly light comedies. To be fair he's often the straight man which might seem like it could possibly translate to the role of the normal guy having to deal with someone who seems a bit off. Bateman does not play it as his usual straight man and does not take his usual sardonic approach though. Bateman instead does a good job here of at first just seeming normal enough as Simon goes about with his wife in setting up his new life. His chemistry with Hall is nicely handled in a fairly unassuming way and the sense of their few years of marriage is well realized by both of them. With their great new house and a great new job for Simon everything does appear to be on the up until he accidentally runs into Gordo. Gordo though does not seem to be too problematic at first despite an awkward first meeting that leads him to come over for dinner.

Bateman's very good in these early interactions between Simon and Gordo. Bateman delivers the proper enough reactions to the man as though just to be a gracious host. There is the undercurrent of a certain unease that Bateman brings that could perhaps just be due to Gordo's peculiar behavior, but it only seems to grow whenever Gordo directly refers their old school days. Bateman carries this certain hastiness when Simon is forced to talk about it, as though he wants to get over with such conversations as soon as possible. It's not an excessive trepidation that Bateman brings as he conveys a man who really wants to simply keep the past as some pretty vague memories, nothing more. As Gordo continues to insist upon himself frequently appearing unannounced, Bateman only continues to grow a definite distaste in this. There is only a real disdain in his voice whenever he speaks about Gordo with anyone else as, Bateman makes it clear there is not even the slightest hint of affection in Simon for the man. Simon though still seems like a normal enough man dealing with just an unpleasant situation. A breaking point for Simon though finally comes when Gordo invites the two of them to a dinner party that only includes Simon, Robyn and their host.

At this point Simon mocks Gordo, when he's not around, and Bateman is terrific because of again just how much venom he brings to this. When it comes to the point when he's had enough and basically wants to tell Gordo to stop bothering them, it's a great scene for Bateman. Bateman does not allow this to be something easy for Gordo, because of how cruel he makes Simon as every word seems to purposefully try to antagonize Gordo a bit. There's a forceful pompousness that Bateman brings as Simon tells Gordo that there will be no friendship, and Bateman importantly does not make this a clean cut. Bateman instead shows Simon's method more like a rusty razor which instead of cleaning removing the problem leaves a painful infection. After this point the thriller aspects seem to begin as the Callums' dog disappears, and their fish, a gift from Gordo, are poisoned. Simon seems to adjust back as the normal guy dealing with a problem though, and Bateman is good by portraying the distress and legitimate concern over the situation. Things seem to quickly settle down with Gordo though and my favorite subversion of the genre occurs when their dog returns unharmed, yet it appears as though really Simon is not our average protagonist for such a thriller as even when Gordo's not around there's something amiss about his behavior.

Simon badgers Robyn over her use of pills that seemingly left her unconscious. A legitimate concern no doubt but Bateman makes Simon's reaction most problematic due an unpleasant aggressiveness. There is some concern there, but Bateman reveals something vile in how hidden any possible warmth feels in the moment. This side of him shows itself also at his work when Simon marks down the name of his rival for a promotion, as Bateman brings this horrible assurance that already suggests that Simon is planning something for this man. As it becomes clear that Simon is not merely this great guy, Bateman is fantastic because of how naturally he reveals this. He does not suddenly make Simon a villain or a different man, but rather shows the bad that was always there. Bateman does not make this something that randomly appears out of nowhere. He instead portrays this behavior as a personal defense mechanism of sorts as whenever he's pushed into a corner, or just has to deal with something slightly inconvenient this worst side of Simon's comes out. That worst side having developed when he was younger since he was a bully in school where his main target of torment had been Gordo even spreading a rumor which basically ruined his life.

There's an outstanding scene for Bateman as Simon attempts to set thing right with Gordo, but Gordo refuses the attempt at an apology. Bateman is excellent because as the conversation starts he genuinely shows remorse in Simon as he's trying to just finish his mistakes from the past. When Gordo does not accept though Bateman is equally good as Simon falls upon his usual reaction to a problem which is cruelty. Bateman makes it as ugly as it should be as Simon once again only exacerbates the problem by so viciously trying to put down Gordo. Bateman creates the problem of Simon so well as he can basically never allow himself to be inconvenienced. Bateman does not hold back showing just how terrible this is. When Simon tries to defend his behavior, and almost blame Gordo for his own problems, Bateman is so good because he does not simplify this mentality. Again Bateman finds a guilt in there, but he covers it up through Simon's usual self confidence that he can never completely admit fault. Bateman never makes Simon a hero or a villain, but rather a man with some severe faults. This works its way into the final act of the film when Gordo gives Simon one final gift that suggests Gordo may have done something heinous for his revenge against Simon. As Simon watches the footage of the act, Bateman is outstanding in revealing the sheer devastation in Simon as he has to bear witness to it. What's so remarkable about this is that Bateman is even heartbreaking in revealing what this has done to the man, despite what we already know about Simon and what he has done. This is a tremendous performance by Bateman, as he not only makes you forget his comedic work as you're watching him here, he also in such a pivotal fashion humanizes the entire progression of the story through his powerful depiction of a man destroyed by his personal flaws.

45 comments:

mcofra7 said...

He is now my win for the year

GM said...

He's AMAZING.

Robert MacFarlane said...

There have been attempts by films to show school yard bullies grown up, but this is the only performance that really gets under the skin of that sort of mentality. Easily a career best for him and the most successful element of the film itself. I honestly thought back in August that I would find a performance that I liked more down the road for my Lead Actor win, but ultimately my opinion of him just seemed to grow over time.

ruthiehenshallfan99 said...

I wish I could write as well as this. Great review, Louis!

Michael McCarthy said...

Is Rebecca Hall still a 4? Because I'd go higher, she's stuck with me every bit as well as Bateman has.

Matt Mustin said...

Fantastic performance, and one that surprised the hell out of me.

Robert MacFarlane said...

I kind of always figured Bateman could pull this off. For example, his dramatic moments in This is Where I Leave You the year before are the only moments in the film that can be considered legitimately good.

Alex Marqués said...

Very underrated performance, one of the best of the year for sure. What are your thoughts on Edgerton in this movie Louis?:

Luke Higham said...

Fantastic Performance. :)

Anonymous said...

Great review. He was amazing and so was Edgerton.

Alex Marqués said...

Rebecca Hall was very solid too.

Gus B. said...

Someone here ever watched The Lonely Passion of Judith Hearn? And, who did, what are your ratings for Smith and Hoskins on it? They're both 4.5's for me, strongly verging on 5's. Jack Clayton was a hell of an actor's director.

Robert MacFarlane said...

Completely random, but... Am I the only one who would want to see an Addams Family movie with Oscar Isaac and Eva Green as Gomez and Morticia?

ruthiehenshallfan99 said...

Robert: I almost laughed out loud at the thought. That is too perfect! Even more so if it was a tv series, like with Carolyn Jones and John Astin.

Calvin Law said...

Gomez: Oscar Isaac
Morticia: Eva Green
Uncle Fester: Jackie Earl Haley
Wednesday and Pugsley: Unknowns
Lurch: Benicio del Toro

Robert MacFarlane said...

Mark Ruffalo as Cousin It.

RatedRStar said...

Since we were talking about music recently, I only caught the Rock and Metal categories, the Grammys are just so shit, its not even funny, how are Alabama Shakes a Rock Band? at least they made a good decision with the Metal category but the audience were so rude to the winners, no reaction what so ever.

RatedRStar said...

The Grammys are almost always crap anyway so ah well.

RatedRStar said...

I do actually like Alabama Shakes but they are not a rock band lol. Anyway having seen the list of upcoming films of 2016, I am not that excited compared to 15 and 14 but that means I will likely be surprised.

Robert MacFarlane said...

Ignoring the winners, I actually enjoyed almost all of the live performances, but then Pitbull and Robin Thicke had to come in and ruin the whole damn thing.

Anonymous said...

RatedRStar: Since Louis will have to take many choices on the bonus reviews by watching The Fountainhead, let me ask you something, have you watched the film? And what are your ratings for Cooper, Massey and Neal?

Robert MacFarlane said...

I haven't seen that, but the bile curiosity of watching a 50's adaptation of Ayn Rand is tempting in a horrific sort of way.

Anonymous said...

Robert: I'm quite sure The Fountainhead came out in 1949, not in the 50's.

RatedRStar said...

@Anonymous: I have not seen the film, quite a number of my choices have just been by digging and looking around, reviews, snubbed performances that were mentioned, stuff like that, I likely will see it eventually but there are lots of others I need to see 2.

Robert: I am not really sure what to make of Lady Gagas tribute if I am honest lol, as for Robin Thickhead, I just look at him and think "Creepy" he is just creepy as.

Alex Marqués said...

Fanboys of The Revenant dismissing Mad Max: Fury Road as a movie for "people who don't know about movies" are starting to become the f****** bane of my existence.

Robert MacFarlane said...

The Revenant has fanboys? All I've seen on Twitter for two months is non-stop mockery of it.

Alex Marqués said...

Yep, it has, mainly people who probably haven't seen anything by Iñarritu pre-Birdman

Anonymous said...

Alex: Are there Mad Max: Fury Road fanboys as well?

Anonymous said...

RatedRStar: I honestly gave Cooper a 1.

Alex Marqués said...

Anonymous: of course there are :D

Luke Higham said...

Louis: Your rating for Tobey Maguire in Pawn Sacrifice.

Anonymous said...

Luke: He gave Maguire a 4,5, I believe.

Luke Higham said...

Anonymous: With his initial thoughts, he hadn't yet decided on a rating, but it probably is a 4.5. :)

Anonymous said...

Luke: It's probably the highest rating he will ever give to Maguire. :)

Anonymous said...

Louis: What are your thoughts on these films and their respective ratings?
Cleopatra (1963)
Spellbound
Moby Dick (1956)
The Bad and the Beautiful
A Song to Remember

RatedRStar said...

A Song to Remember, that really exciting film!!!

Alex Marqués said...

It would be really cool to see Bateman in the top 5 for lead.

ruthiehenshallfan99 said...

RaterRStar: I still need to see that, as I plan on seeing all the acting nominees. Not looking forward to it.

jopÊ said...

As anyone seen Rory Culkin in Gabriel? It's one of the greatest acting achievements last year. A small independent movie with an astonishing and enigmatic performance by Culkin.

Robert MacFarlane said...

I've been wanting to see Gabriel.

jopÊ said...

Well, you can find it online. It's a very interesting movie, but Rory Culkin is absolutely unsettling. What a performance...

Alex Marqués said...

I hadn't heard about Gabriel before but I will definitely check it out.

Anonymous said...

Gabriel sounds interesting.

Anonymous said...

Louis: What are your ratings and thoughts on:
Claire Bloom in Richard III
Mildred Dunnock in Death of a Salesman
Tyrone Power and John Barrymore in Marie Antoinette
Virginia Mayo in White Heat

Louis Morgan said...

Michael:

I felt the same about her on re-watch.

Alex:

You can find my thoughts on him in my review for Mel Gibson in Braveheart.

Robert:

As long as it's not directed by Tim Burton, I'd be all for it.

Luke:

4.5 for Maguire.

Anonymous:

Noted.

Anonymous:

Bloom - (There is not anything too notable about her performance and if you compare her work to Kristin Scott Thomas's in the McKellen version it really suffers in comparison. She's just sort of there and is wholly overshadowed by Olivier)

Dunnock - 2(Like every performance outside of Kevin McCarthy it just felt extremely theatrical to a fault, and made the melodrama of the story always seem only ridiculous unfortunately)

Power - 2(Usual bland work from him. Nothing to note really)

Barrymore - (He's barely in it)

Mayo - 4(Actually rather like just how vapid she is in the role, while still being extremely alluring, showing her character as completely shallow and selfish at all times.)