Alternate Best Actor 1987: Martin Short in Innerspace

Martin Short did not receive an Oscar nomination for portraying Jack Putter in Innerspace.

Innerspace is an enjoyable comedic adventure about a pilot shrunk down into a tiny machine who happens to end up in the body of a random nervous man. The two then work together to try to save each other from corporate espionage.

Martin Short is someone I'd describe as very funny, however his film work is more typically within the frame of limited vaudevillian style turns as cartoonish side characters. Innerspace is a notable departure of sorts, in that he is the comedic foil to are more traditional leading man in Dennis Quaid's test pilot Lt. Tuck Pendleton. Although the film is a comedy, the role actually is a bit more dramatic than one might expect from a quick glance at the synopsis. A part of this comes from Short's performance which is rather well tempered within the film. In that he does not make Jack this over the top figure in the film, in fact one could easily argue Quaid's Tuck is far more overt. Instead Short's performance seeks to make Jack a proper average, well more of a proper average nervous schmoe I suppose. That is in the opening of the film we see Jack just dealing with his life of normal store employee, which is perhaps even more than he can take. Short though is delight though in the role in he allows his natural comedic timing to be evident, but actually plays the anxiety of the character we an earnest conviction. There is a particular hilarious moment early where Jack has his own "man behind Winkies" moment involving a customer with miniature gun, where a nightmare becomes reality. Short's great in this scene as his little breaths, and darting expressions, are so well placed in each moments, yet he is also convincing in showing this poor man having a bit of nervous breakdown.

That is of course are basis for the character with what Short runs with once Jack gets involved with the plot, by being injected with Quaid's micronaut as a last resort. Here we get a most unusual duo between Short, and Quaid as the man in a tiny ship within his body. We have though the two men one hard drinker braggart, and Short's Jack. Short is terrific in finding this effortless balance in the role though in creating comedy within these interactions of fear at his situation, while also making it easy to genuinely empathize with Jack in his predicament. One the initial shock wears off though we get the two's interplay which is simply wonderful. Short is great in creating this slowly growing sense of curiosity in his reactions to Quaid, though always underlined with a proper degree of fear that takes a very long time to let up. They go beyond that though as they even develop a certain level of warmth in their interactions that creates a genuine friendship. These are just small, yet pivotal moments in their performances where they both just bring the right humanity to this bizarre situation. This is of course also is bolstered by Short's realization of the concept through his physical performance. Short is a proper hoot throughout the film in mastery every little awkward physical tic that becomes a series of comical reflections of what is going on Jack's outside as Tuck messes with his insides.

Short's performance is something that helps this film stand out, particularly as he makes such a most unusual lead for an action picture, even one with a great deal of comedy. A lot of this comedy comes with the unlikely hero, which is welcomed though as any typical action scene is a touch different with Short at the center of it. One scene in particular involving a high speed chase with a truck, and a convertible, we get the typical thrills of such a scene though with far more laughs granted by Short presenting a man in the scene who should never be. His scared witless reactions at every point are comic gold and give the action scenes something unique they would probably lack otherwise. Now we also get something surprising though in Short's overall performance that is also far more dynamic that you'd expect. This comes in Short's portrayal of Jack needing to essentially be Tuck to save the day. Short wholly earns the gradual transition of scenes in creating this brewing confidence. He never leans too much one way, and is particularly good in capturing this certain thrill in his eyes as he shows Jack getting caught up in the adventure. This highlight of this idea though is in Jack's relationship with Tuck's former girlfriend as well as investigative reporter Lydia Maxwell (Meg Ryan), that forms a most unusual love triangle. We get some classic Short fits and starts in their initial interactions, however Short is fantastic in creating the growth in a clear affection for his "co-pilot's" love. Short manages to naturally build this to a moment that is the highlight of his performance for me, even though it is a purely dramatic one. That is when Jack insists on wholly taking over the situation and talking to Lydia alone. Short is honestly incredible in the scene in he brings such a sweetness to the romantic moment, and even shows this strength within Jack's modest nature in the moment. Short delivers such an earnest scene that makes this transition to a more confident man natural by showing it to almost reveal itself through the strengths of his former weaknesses. The arc of the character is earned by Short's work which never hand waves it, or just plays it for laughs. He captures so much more with Jack and in turn makes the film so much richer for it. It is a marvelous turn from Short as he creates a more fully realized character by balancing the comedy with a surprising degree of depth within the man's journey.