Friday 1 February 2019

Alternate Best Supporting Actor 2018: Brian Tyree Henry in If Beale Street Could Talk

Brian Tyree Henry did not receive an Oscar nomination for portraying Daniel Carty in If Beale Street Could Talk.

If Beale Street Could Talk follows two African American lovers as they try to stay together amidst much tribulation during the 1970's in New York City.

2018 was a banner year for Brian Tyree Henry appearing in six different films throughout the year. Several showing very different sides of his talents from his colorful vocal performance in Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse as a loving if somewhat goofy cop and father, to his menacing work in Widows as a vicious gangster turned wannabe politician vying for legitimacy, but for me his most striking work was found in the lyrical If Beale Street Could Talk. Henry's role is rather small here appearing in only one major scene with some brief work otherwise, but it is the sort of part that a talented performer can make a lasting impression. Now in some sense his character seems minor, just a random friend of our lead Fonnie (Stephan James), who plot wise only important in that he is alibi for Fonnie after he's been accused of rape, although even there Daniel's testimony matters little in front of the prejudiced legal process. The film though is more inclined towards the moments of life than its plot, as Daniel appearance is to focus on this interaction between two old friends. Henry in his few minutes of screentime opens up with such a vibrant turn opening up initially as we see the glimmers of the friendship between Fonnie and Daniel. Henry and James as terrific together in that their interactions share such a naturalistic warmth. The years together in the past just is exuded in their ease as they speak to one another. For me this is the very best scene of the film, particularly as the dialogue scenes, actually because the two create such a lived in quality in the interactions. There film is always trying to find this beauty in the mundane in a way, and here that works as their is such a warmth in every casual interaction. I could've spent almost a whole just seeing the two talk, as I felt the scene managed to move past the idea of these people, something the film occasionally struggles with for me, and wholly just shows us people. Henry is an essential facet of this as his approach to James Baldwin's prose is the most natural. He does not try to oversell its "grandeur" but rather grants a grounded weight. This becomes most evident when Daniel speaks of his incarceration. Henry is outstanding in this moment as he captures in his haunted eyes the real horrors of his situation. In just a few seconds Henry realizes this intensity of his unease, and a bitterness of his state. There is more in his exact delivery that is of this pain he honestly can't speak of in his treatment, as Henry conveys how palatable the pain is in his heart even as he only alludes to what happened to him. When he compares his white captors to Satan, it doesn't feel poetic, but rather his delivery conveys this harrowing anxiety within him that will never leave him. Henry makes this whole segue this powerful descent into the post traumatic stress, that without showing it, reveals this systematic monster through his performance. Henry is only in the film for a few minutes, yet h in that time grants a such a vivid portrait of this man that feels as though he exists far beyond those confines while also creating the film's most remarkable scene. 

38 comments:

Mitchell Murray said...

Haven't seen him, but I do plan to check the movie out for King if only to complete the year's nominees.

Just a random question for you guys. You know that Google plus will be shutting down in a little bit, and I've read they will stop accepting G+ comments on sites like these. Do any of you know if it will affect anything else for people who use sites like blogger (google owned) for there blogs, like myself?

Matt Mustin said...

He's certainly good, but he didn't make a huge impression on me, although I'll also admit that's probably because I was left pretty cold by the film itself.

Charles H said...

I agree he's good, but i'm with most that this film didn't stay well with me. Henry is the best thing about it.

Anonymous said...

Louis: your top 20 amy adams , naomi watts and josh brolin acting moments

Matt Mustin said...

Charles H: I don't even agree with that, I think Regina King is the MVP.

Matt Mustin said...

Well, actually, that's not entirely true. Nicholas Britell is the MVP.

Emi Grant said...

1. Yeun
2. Bridges
3. Crowe
4. Henry
5. Roache

Robert MacFarlane said...

Great bit of work that just barely misses my top 5. I’m hoping Hollywood takes notice of him and gives him roles with screentime relative to his talent.

Michael McCarthy said...

I still love this film just as much as ever, but I admit I may have been just a tad overenthusuiaitic about James and Layne. Henry is still an easy 5 for me, what I loved the most about this performance is the way he peels back the layers of the character's boisterousness to gradually reveal the depth of his trauma. For me it was like seeing what would happen if the goofy best friend archetype experienced something genuinely harrowing.

Matt Mustin said...

Velvet Buzzsaw is a weird one. The script is a huge mess, and the film struggles with it's tone a lot early on, but once it settles in I ended up kinda liking it, I guess, but not a whole lot.

Gyllenhaal-4
Russo-4
Ashton-1(Completely awful, and the film *really* suffers because of it.)
Dyer-3.5
Collette-3(Frances McDormand would've been AWESOME in this role.)
Malkovich-3
Sturridge-1
Diggs-2.5(Given unforgivably little to do.)
Magnussen-2.5

Lezlie said...

1. Waits
2. Hoult
3. Hornsby
4. Nelson
5. Nivola
6. Bogdanovich

1. Bridges
2. Pullman
3. Roache
4. Crowe
5. Yeun
6. Henry

Bryan L. said...

Can't wait to see this

Matt: Hope Diggs does get better roles, since him being cast in this does mean he's on Hollywood's radar now. And another bad performance from Sturridge? Yeezh.


Btw, I rewatched The Favourite (in theaters this time) and it's easily now my #1 of the year. Unless I'm blown away by Beale Street, Burning or Cold War though.

Bryan L. said...

Louis: Your 90s cast and director for First Man?

And...this might sound a bit weird...but do you see the ladies from The Favourite being a good fit for a female version of In Bruges? Asking because someone here once mused if the trio from Hell or High Water could've worked in that dynamic as well haha

Luke Higham said...

1. Yeun
2. Bridges
3. Crowe
4. Roache
5. Henry

Calvin Law said...


1. Yeun
2. Bridges
3. Crowe
4. Roache
5. Henry

Calvin Law said...

Louis: I don’t think you’ve given your thoughts entirely on Brittel’s work here, could we have them? As well as specific thoughts on ‘Agape’ and ‘Eros’. I’ll admit that I’ve been listening to the soundtrack even though I’ve yet to be able to see the film.

Luke Higham said...

Mitchell: When commenting, I think it'll revert back to Blogger accounts.

RatedRStar said...

1. Yeun
2. Bridges
3. Crowe
4. Roache
5. Henry

Luke Higham said...

Louis: Could I switch my request for Bertil Guve to John Hurt in The Plague Dogs. I will request Guve again on my next win and really want the Animated lineup after the Alternates.

Calvin Law said...


Bryan: I’ll take a crack.

Directed by Peter Weir -
Neil Armstrong: Ralph Fiennes
Janet Armstrong: Laura Linney
Ed White: John C. Reilly
Deke Slayton: David Strathairn
Buzz Aldrin: Michael Rooker

Calvin Law said...

https://reelandroll.blogspot.com/2019/02/reel-and-roll-awards-best.html

By the way, my lineups for Adapted and Original screenplay (another plug).

Mitchell Murray said...

Good list, Calvin. For those following my blog, my review of Close is up.

https://leadactorawards.blogspot.com/

Bryan L. said...

Calvin: Cant really see Fiennes as Armstrong. I actually wonder if Brad Pitt could've worked, in Tree of Life mode. The others sound great though.

And I think Terrence Malick could be great as director, though Weir would've done a great job too.

RatedRStar said...

As tradition on the blog I will post my Hong Kong film award predictions since the nominations are next week.

RatedRStar said...

BEST ACTOR
Anthony Wong - Still Human
Philip Keung - Tracey
Francis Ng - Man on the Dragon
Chow Yun Fat - Project Gutenberg
Aaron Kwok - Project Gutenberg

Anthony Wong won the HK Society award and he is playing an awards bait role (a paraplegic) so he should be a lock to be in and probably win his first best actor award since Beast Cops. Keung has been getting tons of praise but has been oddly snubbed by the other award ceremonies but being that he got in at Society which certain HK academy/committee members are also apart of, as well as his previous good will from previous nominations he should be safe.

That leaves the two leads from Gutenberg who could split votes, as Chow-Yun Fat was nominated at Society but Kwok was nominated at the Asian awards, on paper it would seem Kwok would be more likely since he has been more nominated in recent years, while Yun Fat hasn't been nominated since 2010, however Fat has to get nominated one of these days and his Society nomination shows that he in with a shot.

My final choice is Francis Ng who has been building some good will with his shock nomination 2 years ago for Shed Skin Papa and now in a performance which he is playing against type again, he was also nominated in Society although Ng has been snubbed numerous types in the past I think he gets in this time due to a lack of competition. Donnie Yen had quite a bit of momentum for his against type performance as a teacher in "Big Brother" but he hasn't appeared anywhere, if there is a surprise nominee I reckon it will be him. However if Ben Yuen is campaigned lead for "Tracey" which is a possibility it could really throw a spanner in the works. I also have no idea what is happening with the Tony Leung film Theory of Ambitions?

Calvin Law said...

Tracey looks really interesting; the other nominees not so much.

RatedRStar said...

Best Actress
Meihuizi Zeng - Three Husbands
Crisel Consunji - Still Human
Lu Huang - The Assassination of G
Tang Wei - Long Days Journey Into Night
Catherine Chau - Project Gutenberg

Three Husbands being the best picture favorite usually means that the lead of that film gets in, plus Zeng won Society, Crisel is playing the carer of Anthony Wong, another awards friendly role, I am still debating if Chau is lead or supporting but Society had her as lead, Huang usually stars in mainland China roles but being that her films have been nominated before, and her being nominated at Society makes me think her First nomination is here. That leaves Tang Wei who is usually always nominated but her miss at Society despite her Golden Horse nomination throws her and Jennifer Yu (Distinction) in a 50/50 battle, Hong Kong usually favours the veterans over the newcomers so I will as well.

RatedRStar said...

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR
Ben Yuen - Tracey
River Huang - Tracey
Liu Kai-Chi - Project Gutenberg
Sam Lee - Still Human
Jiang Du - Operation Red Sea

Supporting is always very unpredictable even though I got 3 right when I did
this in 2017. Ben Yuen I reckon will be campaigned supporting, if he is, he is probably winning as well, he won the Golden Horse and was nominated at Society, River Huang was nominated at the Asian film awards so I think he gets in if Tracey performs as expected.

Operation Red Sea was the top grossing film and Du was seen as the stand out, however even though he has been nominated at numerous festivals, no major nomination so far, but Dante Lam films usually get at least one acting nomination, so if it isn't him then maybe Johnny Huang (also a newcomer) could sneak in. There is always one awards veteran and Kai Chi fits that bill in a small scene stealing role.

That leaves good old Sam Lee who has not been nominated since his Louis Morgan reviewed performance in The Longest Summer back in 1998, however he is in the Oscar bait film Still Human and it would be a bit weird for the rest of the cast to get in but not him when he 3rd billed.

RatedRStar said...

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS
Kara Hui - Tracey
Jennifer Yu - Man on the Dragon
Cecilia Yip - Still Human
No idea lol

I think these 3 are actually close to locks, Hui was nominated at the Golden Horse and Tracey is performing well with HK critics, Yip is in the Baity Still Human and Yu is playing the drill sergeant role that lends itself well to awards, she also has her lead performance that may get in as well.

Anonymous said...

Louis: Your thoughts on the voices of Albert Brooks, Nick Nolte, Elizabeth Pena and Julia Louis-Dreyfus.

Charles H said...

1. Yeun
2. Bridges
3. Crowe
4. Roache
5. Henry

Barbara S. said...

Louis: thoughts and ratings of Regina King in the same movie. Thanks!

Calvin Law said...

Barbara: he's given them here, http://actoroscar.blogspot.com/2019/01/alternate-best-supporting-actor-1987_2.html?commentPage=2 and they are

King - 4.5(I actually don't quite think her performance is this undeniable thing, though critics groups falling into group-think is nothing new. I shouldn't say too much on that though since I do think she gives a very good performance on her own terms, and even beyond them she would be a worthier nominee than either Adams or Robbie. Her performance though is actually mostly covered in the trailer, in bringing those fierce mama bear moments, which she definitely delivers on, and I'll say she is most effective in terms of realizing Baldwin's more flowery dialogue. To the point she was honestly the only thing I liked in the previously mentioned scene, as she rose above the awkwardness found in many of the cast members in that scene. She is also granted a "Tony Leung at the end of Days of Being Wild" scene, in sort of silent emotion in personal action, which she certainly delivers on her part of it, even if it is perhaps somewhat indulgent on Jenkins's behalf. And is also terrific in her final scene with Rios in again capturing the right passion and fierceness of a mother trying to genuinely help her child.)

Louis: thoughts and ratings for Gary Cole, Jason Bateman, and Stephen Root in Dodgeball.

Bryan L. said...

The Favourite and Bohemian Rhapsody both win ACE awards, in the Comedy and Drama categories respectively.

Calvin Law said...

Everyone besides Louis: what are your top 10 acting scenes of the year so far? For me (one per film),

1. Ben discusses his hobby - Burning
2. Ford dealership confrontation - Boy Erased
3. 'The same thing that’s wrong with you, isn’t wrong with me' - Leave No Trace
4. Sarah's ultimatum - The Favourite
5. Neil saying goodbye to his family - First Man
6. The final reconcilement - Can You Ever Forgive Me?
7. Alice at the gun exhibition - Widows
8. 'We love you Cleo' - Roma
9. Jackson's realisation - A Star is Born
10. Eli telling Warm about his father - The Sisters Brothers

Bryan L. said...

Calvin: Mine would be mostly the same as yours actually, though I'd include Buster Scruggs at the bar and the argument at the end of Blindspotting instead of yours for Widows and The Sisters Brothers. And I'd opt for the ending for The Favourite as my favorite acting scene from that film, though I might change my mind later on for that haha.

Louis Morgan said...

Anonymous:

Brolin:

1. "Moto Panacaku" - Inherent Vice
2. Very mutual apology - Inherent Vice
3. Call to Chigurh - No Country For Old Men
4. Threatening Frank - American Gangster
5. "Stand up" - Sicario 2
6. Failed press conference - W.
7. Quoting Fatso Judson - Inherent Vice
8. Going back - No Country For Old Men
9. Make sure you call - American Gangster
10. Drone strikes - Sicario 2
11. On titan - Infinity War
12. Shadowy showdown - No Country For Old Men
13. Deep throat a Banana - Inherent Vice
14. Nightmare - W.
15. Inconsiderate phone call - Inherent Vice
16. Proposition - Sicario
17. Final argument with Milk - Milk
18. His teddy bear - Deadpool 2
19. Threatening interrogation - Deadpool 2
20. Charming romantic - W.

Adams:

1. Opening - Arrival
2. After the loss - Junebug
3. Who is the girl - Arrival
4. Unfortunate handjob - The Master
5. Confrontation with Mother Superior - Doubt
6. Message from the future/past - Arrival
7. Trying to be friendly - Junebug
8. Proper Introduction - Arrival
9. "How do you know?" - Enchanted
10. Confrontation with Father - Doubt
11. Arrival to NYC
12. Discussion - Her
13. Alone - Junebug
14. After Dod's outburst - The Master
15. Getting communication right - Arrival
16. Changing in the classroom - Doubt
17. Strained marriage - Junebug
18. They leave - Her
19. Another talk with father - Doubt
20. Seeing something amiss - Doubt

I believe I've covered Watts before.

Louis Morgan said...

Bryan:

First Man directed by Steven Spielberg:

Neil Armstrong: Eric Stoltz
Janet Armstrong: Diane Lane
Ed White: Keith Carradine
Buzz Aldrin: Will Patton

Luke:

You may, but that in no way will affect when I do an animated lineup.

Anonymous:

Brooks - (Just a hilariously sardonic voice. High energy in its way, but caustic all the same.)

Nolte - (Gravelly as they come, and to this day perhaps to a fault. Certainly distinctive.)

Pena - (Lovely voice to be sure, and particularly dynamic in the case of The Incredibles.)

Louis-Dreyfus - (Not someone whom I think of their voice readily, however it has a nice quietly distinctive quality to it.)

Bryan:

Kudos to that Favourite win, especially since it hurts Vice.

Man do people love that rote stuff with Boehemian Rhapsody, but hey at least its editing isn't an incompetent aspect of the film. I guess it makes sense its been over ten years since a standard musical biopic was a contender, circular I guess.

Calvin:

The score is indeed a highlight of the film, and perhaps one of the most potent elements in terms of creating an inherent emotionalism within every frame. It is so beautifully lyrical. Agape is just marvelous in having this powerful calm in the piano chords, that some how supplement the madness of the horns beautifully to just this beautiful tapestry of an internalized emotion realized in musical form. Eros is equally amazing in its deliberate combination of strings, that again is this fascinating juxtaposition of something so poetic and melodic, against this almost distorted quality along with it. Here the distortion is the center with the beauty all around it. It is amazing how Britell rides this elegant line so magnificently to never let the distortion be off-putting but rather so powerfully supplement the outright gorgeous. Both though show this atypical technique that Britell's work manages to pull off in this so strangely distinct, yet so effectively poignant work.

Bateman/Cole - 3.5(What isn't there to love about their color commentary. Their comedic timing is magnificent together with Cole's offering such an excessively straight approach, to the point of being hilarious in every line, against Bateman who pulls off a completely daffy turn. His delivery of "its a bold strategy" alone should never be forgotten. Just hilarious work that honestly keep the climax consistently entertaining.)

Root - 3(He's always fun in some minor comedic roles, and he's good here in mostly do a live action Bill from King of the Hill. In that he does the similarly pathetic job quite well, and Root is always pretty remarkable in how he can so easily segue from overtly pathetic to extremely menacing while making it look so easy. The same goes for drama and comedy, and this is a nice light bit of the latter for him.)