Best Actor 1999: Results

5. Sean Penn in Sweet and Lowdown- Although I did not really see anything wrong with the performance precisely, it just never amounts to anything particularly compelling either.

3.Kevin Spacey in American Beauty- Although I like some of what Spacey does in the role, particularly in the setup of the character, I find he generally overacts, and seems unnatural, where realism would have served his character best.

3. Denzel Washington in The Hurricane -  Washington gives a compelling portrayal of his character, though I do think the writing limits him.

2. Russell Crowe in The Insider- Crowe gives a restrained and effective performance, that never takes the easy route and to be too expressive, instead remaining properly with the nature of the character.

1. Richard Farnsworth in The Straight Story- A very very easy win to give to Richard Farnsworth, as none other performance come close to Farnsworth's powerful performance. Farnsworth gives a completely natural, and authentic performance, that is one of the most moving and poignant portraits of a man ever given in a film.

Deserving Performances:
Jim Carrey in Man on the Moon

Best Actor 1999: Russell Crowe in The Insider

Russell Crowe received his first Oscar nomination for portraying Jeffrey Wigand in The Insider.

The Insider details the story of a former tobacco company executive's attempt to tell what he knows, despite many hindrances.

Crowe plays the corporate whistle blower, who is suppose to be a middle aged man. Crowe in terms of age was sort of miscast, and I can't say I entirely believed him as the middle aged executive, but I will say that it really is not the whole of the performance, because in the end it really is only a minor aspect of this performance. Crowe approaches the part in an interesting fashion, because he never really portrays Wigand as some of saintly figure, who is doing something he must do because of some sort of amazing passion for good or anything like that. Crowe instead more realistically always portrays Wigand as just a normal man, nothing more, a very normal man who certainly pains himself to do the right thing, not that he doesn't want to do the right thing, but hesitates due to the situation as any man would.

This is an interesting performance by Crowe because he really portrays it in a very withdrawn, and in a rather close to the bone fashion. He really acts out very little in this performance, and generally portrays Wingard's mental struggles in a rather inwardly drawn fashion. He certainly bursts out in emotions but Crowe appropriately shows that this is not really the natural way of Wingard, but is only really brought out under the extreme pressure of his situation. Every aspect of Wingard Crowe tenders to underplay, to actually greater effect, than he more overtly portrayed each of Wingard's emotions. Crowe properly suggests what he needs to about Wingard, Wingard is not perfect, but he certainly tries his best to be honest, even if he does struggle with the concept. Crowe portrays the struggle well, as long with the strain that slowly bears down on Wingard. Crowe because of his restrained fashion comes off realistically as well as effectively. Crowe performance is not an overly complex one as Wingard, but it is a fulfilling one. Crowe portrays everything he must quite well, whether it is the character's past or present state Crowe succeeds in easily portraying his pain, as well as his reluctance. The film spends little time on Wingard's whole personal life rather weaving it through in the main story line only from time to time, but Crowe successfully shows who Wingard is whenever he has a chance to. 

Best Actor 1999: Richard Farnsworth in The Straight Story

Richard Farnsworth received his second and last nomination for portraying Alvin Straight in The Straight Story.

The Straight Story details the story of the elderly Alvin Straight's journey across America on a lawn mower to see his estranged brother who suffered a stroke.

Richard Farnsworth is an actor I can't say that I have seen all of his work, but I can say when I see him usually as a character actor I usually think he adds something nicely to the film. Farnsworth has this certain simple charm that is just wonderful. He always has a certain degree of life in his performance, and there is just something about him that make him both unique and interesting as an actor. This charm, and his unique quality as a performer certianly comes out and shines spectacularly well in this lead performance that I am certainly glad that he got before he died. This simple charm fits perfectly with the role of Alvin Straight. It is an interesting way Farnsworth has, and it fits for Straight perfectly, because he is nice and charming in possibly a simple rural fashion, but Farnsworth never seems to be a simple man.

It could have been an easy task of making Alvin Straight an overly perfect old man, but Farnsworth, nor the film ever portray him in that simple of a fashion. They always show that although he certainly is a nice old man, that is not all he is. Farnsworth always properly suggests that it was a long history and a long life with many mistakes that got Alvin Straight to this point, he certainly was not always this way. Farnsworth is simply wonderful in every moment of this performance, because he never seems for a moment that he is actor in this performance. There is not a single scene that I felt I saw an actor going on this journey, instead I really honestly felt I saw a man going on this journey. Farnsworth performance only has honesty an conviction throughout, every small moment feels as real as possible, Farnsworth is that good here.

Each little moment in this performance is wonderfully handled by Farnsworth. Early in the film there is not a great deal said by Farnsworth about Straight. He insists on going on his journey, that is about here early on, yet he creates an undeniable man early on here through the smallest of reactions, whether it is toward his heath report to the doctors, or to his daughter's concern over his health, Farnsworth always brings out genuine emotion within Alvin Straight. On the journey Farnsworth gets a little more to say, through his many small and large scenes of interacting with the various people that he comes across. There are perhaps two types of meeting one where he shows his knowledge, and wisdom, and the others were he tells of his own history although they certainly intersect.

His scenes of wisdom are just about perfect in every instance whether it is convincing a runaway about the importance of family, or just using his knowledge and ability to reduce a bill for repairing his tractor Farnsworth always has the perfect manner that is always natural, he is not trying to be wise, he just is as that is who Alvin Straight is. I will say Farnsworth's scenes of wisdom and knowledge are perfect in their suggesting how Straight has gotten to this point in his life, but were those scenes are perfect his scenes of Alvin's history are somehow on an even greater level. Every single moment where he talks about his past, and his mistakes are truly outstanding. Every moment is filled with a true honest poignancy.

All of these scenes are amazing, but I will particularly note his long speech about his time in World War II. The screen focuses on Farnsworth as he slowly reflects on his experience and what he did in the war. Farnsworth is utterly heartbreaking here, because he shows the true experiences of a man who has gone through this, it always feels like the true confession of the man, never for a moment is it less, which is a great achievement. Farnsworth performance is an incredible performance, and one of the most moving performances every nominated. I think his performance can really be best summed by his final scene where he finally sees his brother (Harry Dean Stanton who is also amazing in a very very short role) they barely even talk, but both actors due to their completely honest reactions to one another, absolutely suggest the whole long history of the brothers in such a short moment. This scene shows the nature of Farnsworth performance, a quiet but brilliant performance, every moment is true, and honest, and he makes the journey of Alvin Straight one of the most powerful and poignant journeys ever put on film.

Best Actor 1999: Kevin Spacey in American Beauty

Kevin Spacey won his second Oscar from his second nomination for portraying Lester Burnham in American Beauty.

American Beauty details the lives of a family of suburbanites who are either shallow and materialistic, or harvest some sort of deep pain.

Kevin Spacey portrays Lester Burnham the suburban husband, who is considered pathetic by both his wife and his daughter. Spacey in these early moments is quite good in portraying these early moments. Spacey properly conveys his detrimental state in life, and his the way he is now basically sleepwalking through life. Spacey as well is quite good in showing his facade that he holds, he perhaps lays it on a bit thickly, but that works well for Lester, since it properly portrays how he has been doing this for so long, it is not really the most natural of facades, and it again it reinforces just the terrible condition he is in as a person.

Lester though soon enough begins to become more confidant, and begins to relive his youth, working at a fast food place, as well as pursue his lusts after his daughter's friend. This should be Spacey's moment to really shine as Lester Burnham but unfortunately for me the problems of his performance come out in these scenes. My major problem with the performance is much of Spacey's deliveries seems a bit forced, and unnatural in the role, a particularly grating example for me is when he pronounces that "I Rule!" after purchasing a car he always wanted. Now the problem here is he really should become more natural here, because he is getting rid of the facade, but he doesn't. 

I do not want to be too negative because Spacey certainly has his moments, his transition into the confidence, and a better view of himself, with small indicative reactions are very well handled. His unnaturalness though for most of his later performance, seems off to me though, and fails to have as much power as it should have. This performance actually for me has become like the film itself. Although there are certianly strengths and moments of power in the performance and the film, the overall effect of the performance and the film is hindered by the method used by the film and Spacey to portray it.

Best Actor 1999: Denzel Washington in The Hurricane

Denzel Washington received his fourth Oscar nomination for portraying Rubin "Hurricane" Carter in The Hurricane.

The Hurricane depicts in a rather fictionalized fashion the exploits of the convicted of murder Carter to be freed from prison.

Denzel Washington's performance as Rubin Carter certainly seems like Oscar fair. Carter as depicted in the film is a innocent man, had the chance for greatness but is denied it. He struggles for years but remains passionate in his resolve, even if his experience has left him hardened over the years. This sort of character just lines himself up for Oscar scenes really. Washington certainly has plenty of standard Oscar scenes as Carter, which are successive of the film's version of the Hurricane. This is not a flawed man accused of a crime he did not commit but rather as a nearly self-actualized man accused of the crime. This unfortunately limits really the potential of both the character and the story, however I will give Washington credit for committing himself within these confines of the character.

This as we have his early scenes as the charismatic younger man, that of course Washington carries himself with the requisite swagger of a young potential champion. He offers of course that right power of personality, but also ferocity of his manner. Washington manages to combine these effectively even as the film doesn't do anything particularly interesting with these moments. Washington hits the needs of the role, even if I wish the film would've developed it more thoroughly. This does leave the character a bit more general, in a way at times seeming to be the greatest hits of a Washington character, however Washington to his credit delivers on these hits. This in granting that discontent in his eyes, or just the ease of a good smile. This being the situations of corrupt cops or more sincere women, however both are rather limited as written no matter what it is that Washington is doing in a given scene.

Washington is more impressive quite frankly in portraying the Hurricane we see in the later years, who is a man defined by his hatred for his treatment yet slowly changes himself when he sees the love of others through a young African American and a group of weird Canadian entrepreneurs who lead a campaign to help Carter be released from prison. There Washington does convey effectively the early cynicism within the man, burdened by his situation and too willing to look towards the worst nature in others. Washington though in scenes of quiet conversation though is moving in slowly easing away that internalized intensity to portray an optimism that naturally reveals itself. Washington is very moving in portraying the eventual breakdown in his moments of finally seeing some justice served within his ongoing struggle. It is a consistently effective performance from Washington though I do believe there was more potential if the character was more developed throughout.

Best Actor 1999: Sean Penn in Sweet and Lowdown

Sean Penn received his second nomination for portraying Emmet Ray in Sweet and Lowdown.

Sweet and Lowdown tells of the life  fictional Jazz guitarist.

I can't say I am much of a fan of Sean Penn as I find his style usually overly calculated in his portrayals. Here I must say I did not find his performance to be all that calculating. I did not have any moments where I felt he tries to hard to show he is acting. This is quite interesting considering Emmet Ray is a very flamboyant eccentric character.

What Penn does in the role from his accent, to his odd mannerisms does not seem overly actory for him here, since what he does is rather underplayed, and never brings all that much attention to themselves.. I thought they actually seemed natural enough, and for the character of Emmet Ray they fit, since he is a rather strange character.

Now although I never had that distaste after seeing him overact in a far too hammy of a fashion in this performance, as he does in many of his roles, I failed to really see anything all that special in his performance either. Penn certainly is in the film a great deal, but throughout the film I never felt he really had a single scene that stood out as special.

He certainly is there, I do not find him obnoxious or annoying in any scenes, but everything he does never seems to be anything that really should be noted as great acting. I never felt what he does was bad either as Emmet Ray, just thoroughly unspectacular.

He is flamboyant enough as Ray, as well as pompous enough when he needs to be. He is happy when he should be, mad when he should be. He technically is the right emotion, but just right enough, enver anything more than that.  His relationship with the mute Hattie (Samantha Morton) is not poorly handled, but it does not factor into a single scene that is notable either.

This is a rather odd performance for me to review, becuase after watching it I really did not feel negatively toward it, and trust me it is easy for me to feel negatively about a Sean Penn performance. Although I did not really feel negatively I still failed to see a hint of a great performance. Emmet Ray is there, I watched him go through the plot, but than I really felt nothing about him other than he was flamboyant.

Best Actor 1999

And the Nominees Were:

Russell Crowe in The Insider

Denzel Washington in The Hurricane

Kevin Spacey in American Beauty

Richard Farnsworth in The Straight Story

Sean Penn in Sweet and Lowdown