Wednesday 18 April 2018

Alternate Best Supporting Actor 2008: Richard Jenkins in Step Brothers

Richard Jenkins did not receive an Oscar nomination for portraying Robert Doback in Step Brothers.

A critic once believed that one could not examine a symbiotic relationship more eloquently or more intricately than Ingmar Bergman's Persona, that critic obviously never saw Step Brothers the worthy successor that defies all expectations in its penetrating exploration of the psyche of man.

And by that I mean Step Brothers is about two idiot man children (Will Ferrell, and John C. Reilly) who come to live together as such a titular pair when their respective single parents are married while both still live at home with them. Reilly's father is Richard Jenkins's Robert Doback who often seemed to be my own personal representation during this film. The film itself following this pattern of being kind of funny then really annoying then kind of funny then really annoying and continuing in that savage circle throughout. One aspect that differs from that pattern is Richard Jenkins, who is continually on some sort of point throughout the film. Where his counterpart, Ferrell's mother in the film, played by Mary Steenburgen still mothers her overgrown son, there is less of a cordiality within the character of Robert which Jenkins beautifully realizes. His performance is essentially this slowly erupting nearly apocalyptic volcano of passive aggression that becomes just full grown aggression at his two "sons". Jenkins in a way becomes this trick artist always hitting his marks even when the scene does not. He is consistently hilarious in creating such a raw, and to the point exasperation in each and every one of his reactions. An exasperation that only grows in every moment and settles itself in this intensity of this certain loathing that is particularly great in their Christmas dinner where Jenkins reveals a man retching in the sheer degree of his intolerance. This almost an antidote at times because of Jenkins representing a proper reaction to when the antics are not working at any level, and brings some comic gold by how little "playing up" Jenkins does.

The most consummate professional Jenkins's real intensity he brings is what makes it so funny, as he makes it seem as though Mr. Doback's spirit honestly is seeming to break to his very core. This naturally leads to events that leads the sons to be kicked out of the house, and finally fulfill their roles as adults. Of course that all gets twisted for the climax where at the Catalina wine mixer they must cover for a cover band, but not without a few words of wisdom from old Mr. Doback. This is where he has a change of heart to reveal his own juvenile dream to be a T-Rex. Honestly I can't praise Jenkins enough for the amount of conviction he brings in this most unorthodox speech. He even makes it work in context with the rest of the character, but showing it as almost this mad recall of a past lost dream. In turn it is hilarious as Jenkins acts out his dream a bit by again how seriously he plays it. Jenkins wants you to believe in Mr. Doback's dream, and you'll believe a man can't believe he could be a T-rex. Jenkins inflicts proper hilarity to that moment, and soon afterwards through the sheer eagerness of his delivery as he encourages his son to play his heart out with "Rock the fuck out of those drums Dale". Jenkins steals this film with ease, which some might balk at in terms of an accomplishment, but Jenkins doesn't only steal the film he just sprinkles a little something worthwhile into every one of his scenes.

12 comments:

Luke Higham said...

You Jagaloons, You're Failures, FAILLLLUUURRES. :)

Love this performance.

Luke Higham said...

Ratings and thoughts on the rest of the cast.

Mitchell Murray said...

Louis - I know this probably isn't fair since he only has one starring role to his name, but do you prefer Jenkins as a lead or supporting player? In other words, which one do you wish you could see him do more of.

Luke Higham said...

Mitchell: I would like to see him take on more leading roles but I've no issue with him only in Supporting roles. He can excel in both.

Robert MacFarlane said...

My favorite moment of his performance is the jovial grin he gives for the Christmas photo after announcing the divorce.

Luke Higham said...

Robert: That's my favourite moment too. :)

Luke Higham said...

Louis: Is there any possibility of Fraser and Weisz being upgraded for The Mummy.

Psifonian said...

The best "SHUT THE FUCK UP!" in cinematic history.

Calvin Law said...

Confession: I kind of love this film.

Louis Morgan said...

Luke:

Ferrell - 2.5(As usual there is only so much I can take from Ferrell doing his shtick, although I did find him occasionally amusing in-between being extremely obnoxious and hard to take.)

Reilly - 3.5(More comically obnoxious and moronic than Ferrell as usual. Reilly manages to find his way of being a bit more endear in his foolishness some how, well by having more of this genuine naivety in his performance that makes him far more entertaining and appealing.)

Hahn - 3.5(She's pretty funny in doing a crazy sexpot routine. Pretty one note, but enjoyable so.)

Scott - 3(He is funny which is always needed for such a role, which can easily be a stick in the mud. He's not truly hilarious but at least he's enjoyable.)

Steenburgen - 3(She is mostly there to not be as hilarious as Jenkins in a way as the more partial mediator with more of a warmth to her. She does this alright but it does limit her from getting in on any sort of real fun with her work though.)

Louis Morgan said...

Luke:

Fraser, no (he's already #16 in the ranking afterall), Weisz quite possibly.

Louis Morgan said...

Mitchell:

Well I obviously like him as both. I'd love to see him be able to do more leading work.