Alternate Best Supporting Actor 1973: Sterling Hayden in The Long Goodbye

Sterling Hayden did not receive an Oscar nomination for portraying Roger Wade in The Long Goodbye.

Sterling Hayden is best known for his cold tough guy roles in films like The Killing and The Asphalt Jungle, even his best performance in Dr. Strangelove is a subversion of that idea. His performance in The Long Goodbye is a complete departure from that type. We first see Roger Wade, a successful novelist, as Elliott Gould's Philip Marlowe finds him staying in a shady rehab center for celebrities with drug and alcohol problems. Marlowe gets him out and returns him home to his wife, but that doesn't mean Roger's all okay. Hayden's work is unlike any other performance I've seen of his in his portrayal of the mess of the man that is Roger Wade. Hayden's performance though isn't just of any trouble man it's sort of a Ernest Hemingway pseudo genius who happens to also be a complete drunkard. Hayden's terrific in bringing to life that sort of grand larger than life personality. Apparently Hayden was in reality drunk and high throughout the shoot, well this is one time where it actually works out. Hayden doesn't just wear it well he kind of glories in it as he should in this role. Hayden plays the way Wade projects himself as just a guy loving life. Hayden is this curiously endearing bundle of life in his portrayal as he never feels over the top it only feels natural to the state of man that Roger is. Now the reason Hayden's apparent intoxication works here is because this is not just a performance to watch to be a mess. Hayden's work is surprising in its level nuance particularly given the circumstances supposedly behind the performance.

Hayden though with company brings that whole lively boisterous routine, but it definitely hiding something as he underlines it with such unease whenever he speaks alone with his wife. His scene we see alone with his wife it is rather striking to see such a sensitive and vulnerable Hayden as he reveals the insecurities of the Wade who in reality isn't enjoying life in the least. Hayden shows that most of the time though Wade hides a sadness in front of other that is until  his former doctor (Henry Gibson) comes to collect a bill. Hayden surprisingly heartbreaking in this scene by starting with Wade trying to work through by yelling at the man but as the doctor is not deterred Hayden reveals the facade of Wade's deteriorate. There is such a powerful sorrow that Hayden brings by withdrawing himself, losing that boisterousness, portraying this self-examination in his eyes that forces Wade into this lonely place. What happens to Wade in the end is made an unfortunate inevitability by Sterling Hayden fantastic performance. Hayden goes against his usual style so effectively to create this tragic figure of a man whose disposition cannot hide his depression.