Alternate Best Supporting Actor 2019: Robert Forster in El Camino

Robert Forster did not receive an Oscar nomination for portraying Ed Galbraith in El Camino.

Upon the release of El Camino, the low key yet terrific epilogue to the series Breaking Bad, viewers were subjected to a cruel whiplash. This as we just finished enjoying another turn by the wonderfully unique Robert Forster, we sadly learned of his death marking that as one of his final performances. This being a loss of a great character actor in Robert Forster, who wasn't given enough chances to really show off his talent, though it was always appreciated when he did. Also will note here, that my review of his Oscar nominated turn in Jackie Brown, is in the severe need of an update. Anyway though let's take a look at his work here, that is actually a reprise of his work in Breaking Bad, which spoilers for the series, he played the man who specialized in making wanted men disappear without a trace, for a price. Although this might be a shorter performance, he only has two scenes, I think it is actually a more substantial performance given that for teacher turned meth kingpin Walter White, it was strictly business. We get something else here with Jesse Pinkman (Aaron Paul) on the run from the law, after having escaped being a prisoner of militant Aryans, trying to find some escape through a vacuum cleaner salesman he's sure is the man with a special set of skills.

Forster I'll say is someone who doesn't need to try that hard to be compelling on its own, even seeing him discuss a potential vacuum sale is a lot more interesting than would be for most actors as there is such a vibrancy to his presence as a performer. The greatness of his work though is in this scene through such a brilliantly subdued turn that does a whole lot with so little, in more ways than one. This as Jesse approaches Forster's salesman in his empty shop, by closing his shop for him. Forster's initial portrayal of just a shop owner gently reminding the man that his shop is open, is as just an average vacuum store salesman nothing more. Forster has a great nearly deadpan expression of just ever so slight confusion as Jesse attempts to speak to the man and insists that "you're the guy". There's a great bit of subtle genius here by Forster though as only after Jesse accidentally reveals the scars of his imprisonment, is it that Forster shifts from the slight confusion to this clear knowing of a different kind of businessman. There though in this is just the brief glint of sympathy in his eyes, that is fantastic bit of acting by Forster. Forster turns on a dime with so effectively though otherwise in becoming wholly convincing as the specialist who makes people disappear with his so very exact delivery of explaining to Jesse that they can have a deal, only if Jesse is willing to pay double his usual price. Forster is great in revealing the great detached method that isn't quite unemotional, but rather this marvelous way of acting towards the situation like an older mechanic would be in dealing with an unpaying customer. This as Jesse is unable to deliver on the needed amount of cash, leading to Forster's wonderful delivery of a few words of wisdom that in his delivering is this perfect combination of both genuine and dismissive as he advises Jesse to use the money to run away. When Jesse though attempts to restate his plight, Forster is again fantastic in the nuance he brings in the slightly more forceful way he shuts it down in the way he reminds Jesse that he made his choices. This as Forster grants the sense of a hidden sympathy, but also a sympathy that only goes so far. Forster's work though also becomes comic gold though as Ed calls the police in order to get Jesse to leave. His just ever so slightly bemused expression is hilarious as he doesn't flinch slightly as Jesse lists all the reasons why Ed wouldn't have called the police. This until the police do arrive with the pitch perfect delivery of Ed's satisfaction at noting the police's swift response time. This leaving Jesse to run away, and just one more great bit of low key comedy for Forster, as he so earnestly gives the police a false report, as the unassuming salesman again, with his ridiculous version of Jesse as a extremely tall man with a tattoo of a strange insect. That last point something Forster accentuates in his delivery to great effect. Jesse eventually gets his money and Ed offers him a new life in Alaska. It also grants us one more great scene for Forster, making him a bit more than a one scene wonder. This as Ed once again gives Jesse the rundown as a true professional, with Forster's way of having this ease while also a strict method about it. This now with just a bit more of a genuine inspiration that Forster inflects in the words in reminding Jesse at his second chance in life. This ends though as Jesse gives Ed a letter of goodbye to the son of Jesse's old girlfriend who was murdered by the Aryans. Forster again does so much in just the minor change in his eyes, this that conveys the small yet poignant hint that Ed is moved by Jesse's letter, just as he showed the slight sympathy within his reserve earlier. This as Forster so quietly yet powerfully reveals the modicum of humanity in the man as he helps Jesse. Although his role is indeed small, Forster makes a remarkable impact in what is technically a role there to serve a function. In just his few lines and minutes of screen time though, Forster calls far beyond the call of his duty in his funny yet also subtly emotional work that is a welcome reminder of his talent.