Alternate Best Actor 1996: Max von Sydow in Hamsun

Max von Sydow did not receive an Oscar nomination for portraying Knut Hamsun in Hamsun.

Hamsun, as per usual it seems for Jan Troell, is an underrated film following the later life of a celebrated writer turned Nazi supporter.

It is of course with a heavy heart that one must learn of the departure of a true legend of an actor such as Max von Sydow, but within that we may all also appreciate the life, career and legacy that he left behind. Max von Sydow's career was remarkable in itself as his managed to traverse across directors, language barriers, genres, and decades of ever changing film. Unlike so many actors, there was never a truly "off" decade or period for von Sydow as he managed to find notable work from his humble beginnings in Sweden all the way to the very end of his career that included highest budgeted Hollywood films. One of the definite reasons for this was as von Sydow was a notable performer in that he not only broke out internationally but he never lost touch with his roots either. Perhaps an even greater reason for this was that no matter the film, the genre, the story, the size of the part, or even the quality of the film, it never seemed to matter for von Sydow. He's one of the very few actors I can name who I never saw truly phone in a performance. This is even in the cases where he was given a role that wasn't notable, where he was cast to try to make it so, like The Force Awakens. That part was frankly unworthy of his talent, however von Sydow still brought a gravitas to the role that would've been absent without him. I continue to speak towards von Sydow's successes, because honestly that was largely where he existed, and it seemed in his own philosophy, reflected by his work, that if wasn't a great role, he'd do his best to at least offer his commanding presence to it, but if it was a great role he'd attempt to make the most out of it.

Well I am overjoyed to return to von Sydow, and though this will not be the last time, in a great part. This in the role of the noted writer Knut Hamsun, who as we enter into the story is already seen as such, as we see the man earning his Noble prize, that is only part of his accomplishments as a man. This as we are invited into the world of Hamsun, already considered to be this "great man" of Norway, and with that von Sydow seems to take as his starting point. Of course von Sydow is already ideal for any authority figure. von Sydow simply exudes that force of personality so naturally, aided by his stature, that instantly establishes any character he plays with a degree of a type of might to them. This is evident here in von Sydow's work though utilized here in a way that helps us to infer a great deal of the man even before we really learn much about him. von Sydow's demeanor here though goes beyond creating that idea though as we are granted the age of the character, which as was so often the case for von Sydow, is considerably older than he was at the time. He also though goes beyond in his work manages to convey the specific age of the man as it relates to Hamsun, as a nearly deaf man, who seems to beyond his own expected years for life. This as von Sydow defines the somewhat doddering nature of the man, that crafts such a sense of the specific wear within the man, that is most certainly of performance, as his presentation of Hamsun's wavering physical manner is a far cry from his smooth power of his manner as Leland Gaunt in Needful Things, just a few years before.

von Sydow embodies the age so well, and that statue, in that he always walks with the gaunt of really that of the true intelligentsia, yet even in the way he parts his lips, it is that of an elderly somewhat detached old man. This in lines though an absolutely brilliant idea that von Sydow realizes in his work that is fundamental in so many of the actions of Hamsun throughout the film. This as the man is comfortable with dying, not that he is suicidal, but it is rather his time in his own view. von Sydow is amazing in the way he is able to exude this seemingly peculiar comfort and make it feel so natural within the idea of the man. This is as when he speaks of the idea is as though it is a long thought of his, something he's payed much mind to. His delivery of these words is as though it is a strict understanding of where he should be and that his time simply is at an end. von Sydow portrays this wholly without anguish, but rather at times, when specifically Hamsun is presented with the troubles of his current world, a great frustration. This frustration though not towards dying, but the fact that he has to still live when he feels he should be gone. von Sydow crafts in his eyes as this understanding, as we see in one scene where he appears as though he will die in the snow, it is not of fear, but of just a contentment that the bell has rung for him as he's expected. This is an essential idea that von Sydow realizes so vividly as von Sydow presents us with a man who basically has pulled up his personal stakes, making it so his actions in a way in the world shouldn't matter as much, in his own view.

Another key motivating factor for the life of Hamsun however is in his wife Marie (Ghita Nørby), where early on we have a outstanding scene between von Sydow and Nørby. This as they suffer a row between one another where direct hostilities come out with Nørby bringing a fiery emotion against von Sydow who is great in his way of playing as potent of emotions however fittingly internalized within the Hamsun. Their conversation is excellent as we are granted the sense of their relationship so quickly as we see all the frustrations in Marie come out in Nørby's work against von Sydow who plays it so well as Hamsun's way of attempting to be as though he is above such a fight. von Sydow's eyes though, and the edges of his deliveries though very much paint the same type of anguish within Hamsun towards their wife. Frustrations that allude to years of troubles, but honestly the intensity within both that could only exist in a long lasting relationship. This as even as they fight we instantly are granted a sense that there is a connection, and understanding in a way, though now broken towards a venomous bitterness between the two. We see the struggle of their relationship continue in his noble prize ceremony, which is a lower key scene yet is a just about perfect bit of acting from both, as we get some classic elderly married couple bickering as Hamsun admonishes his wife for not translating his words exactly to their German audience. The two manage to even be a bit comic in a sense, however more than anything grant the sense of the festering anger in the relationship that both actors draw out so naturally.

That seemingly minor interaction again though is part of the "case" that von Sydow is making in creating really the motivation we will find as Hamsun becomes a Nazi proponent. This being an idea far more enthusiastically found within his wife, as we see in that earlier scene where her added words where convenient towards the Nazi cause. Hamsun of course did not attempt a full correction that to made natural within von Sydow's work in showing the man, who has a certain allowance for such things since he believes he'll be leaving the world soon. This as the war begins we see von Sydow portray the man as this elder statesman of his country seemingly falling into what he believes will be the expected line of thinking based on his wife's sentiments, and honestly to a degree his lack of concern for the matter. This as we see in the scenes of speaking words that are support of the Nazi line, von Sydow depicts it as though he was giving an authorized commendation to just any colleague, this even in his praise of Hitler. von Sydow again emphasizing a man going through the motions in interacting with the world with often this sense of unawareness towards the rest of the world, initially. This begins to crack as one of his sons wishes to join the army to fight on the front lines, and we see the conflict between Hamsun and his wife, over her fanatical beliefs and his nearly perfunctory beliefs. von Sydow delivers beautifully this anxiety of the man within his expression as he fails to really fight for those beliefs in any way, and instead emphasizes the sense of confusion regarding the intensity shown by others to "push" it.

von Sydow then is incredible as we see so much of talent as an actor here by his way of crafting the image of the "great man" who has become so certain in the expectation of his life, that it will be his downfall. One early one, that would be hilarious if it were not for the gravity of the situation, is when Hamsun directly speaks to one of the party men quietly questioning Hitler's views and treatments towards Jews as though it was an academic exercise. This is even as when asked if he read Mein Kampf, von Sydow's delivery of Hamsun's having not got around to it, is simply marvelous as he brings almost a sense of disinterest again in emphasizing the man's detachment from that world that he is commenting on. This continues though as we see von Sydow's great emotional range here in particularly, though used so effectively here in a slightly alternative way, as he breaks down that expectation the man has set for himself, as he is truly looked at by others as a statesman. This includes those whose family members are being rounded up and killed by the puppet government set up by Hitler. When one such mother comes to him, von Sydow's reactions in the scenes show a man just trying to avoid the thought of it as he attempts to push through, however when she finally stops von Sydow's moment of thought before asking for the name to help, is performed so well as this moment of clarity and finally a bit of an attachment for Hamsun as he reflects finally a bit of genuine concern. This even though as von Sydow brings it out as this frustration at needing to be part of something he thought he was done with.

This continues as it becomes quite clear that the Nazis are not timid about committing atrocities, to which Hamsun attempts to do something about by being granted an audience with Hitler himself. von Sydow's portrayal of Hamsun preparations are terrific as he presents now a real nervousness and now an anxiety for the world he is in. His eyes fashion now a sense of real fear reflective as he must actually look into the world in a way he hasn't for some time. This found all the more in his harried way of speaking as Hamsun recites his practiced words for Hitler, which is a mix of praise and actual critique. von Sydow's performance in the scene where Hamsun finally speaks to Hitler, is spectacular. This as we see the man attempting the initial pleasantries for the leader he has deemed that he must respect, but this with a confused attempt to offer a real critique. This made all the more broken through translators, Hitler and his completely different intentions for the meeting and Hamsun's deafness. von Sydow captures this sort of madness though with a powerful heartfelt emotion though as in his words there is now a real strain within the idea of concern for the needless violence and brutality of the puppet regime in Norway. von Sydow gradually portraying this degradation into a true confusion as Hitler cannot brush his thoughts aside, though while Hamsun cannot hear his words brushing his concerns aside either. von Sydow doesn't make the scene a simple one of righteous passion, though there are signs of that, but this incredible mess of an attempt at of a once so articulate man attempting to speak in terms his chosen audience simply would never understand or care to understand.

This leaving Hamsun to look like a foolish old man, though what I love is that von Sydow shows in the moment the earnest attempt in the man to do the right thing, but unfortunately failing to make any real impact. After that failure we see Hamsun return to the contentment to die, until that Germany falls, and now Hamsun and his wife are arrested to be processed as potential collaborators. Hamsun being sent to a mental hospital to attempt to discredit any previous actions of his as that of a man with dementia. von Sydow's work is so well textured again, in the way we are given such a sense of Hamsun's state of mind, as though he is a mystery to the authorities von Sydow gives us the essential insight into the man. This is as I love the poignancy in a brief moment where he notices a bicycle, as he sits in a form of house arrest, and that moment of appreciation in von Sydow's hands grants such a sense of appreciation for youth and somberness regarding the loss of agency. When sent to the institution von Sydow is masterful in creating such a quiet yet potent sense of the man's confusion and distaste of the circumstances. This as dealing with the prodding questions his eyes evoke such an unpleasantness as this is such an alien experience for him, with the doctors questioning his mind rather than praising it.von Sydow shows so well the shattered state that results, as it is this state of contemplation towards his own self while being troubled by the questions he must endure. This eventually includes watching film of the holocaust, where von Sydow is outstanding in his reaction that manages to not only show the heartbreak of the image, along with the uneasiness of a slowly building guilt out of confusion as he comes to understand the nature of the images. This is almost immediately followed up with being betrayed by his wife, through a long confession that accuses Hamsun of being the fanatical one.

von Sydow is great in as we see Hamsum, if briefly, lose any attempt at his stature of the "great man" as he berates his wife and von Sydow puts bluntly the sense of betrayal. From these trials, an eventual real trial is led to based upon Hamsun's mental state more than anything. The trial scene is again one of von Sydow's great scenes of his career, though again bringing to life a difficult scene with an an unexpected result. This as again this is not a traditional defense, rather von Sydow manages to convey the complexity as there are sense of a sense of guilt in what his words had helped contributed to in his eyes, though his speaking of the words that have  some of that, but enough of a passion of man desperately attempting to clearly explain his position. This is as untenable of a position as it is, von Sydow manages to show a man both suffering in his state, but also in his element as a man who made his life through words. This is within the sense of partial excuse as he explains his deafness, where von Sydow shows a wavering resolve, that while his delivery is still earnest, we see the man's inability to wholly speak these words without a least a slight sense of shame. The film ends with Hamsun being left to fighting against a slight exile, while initially rejecting his wife, before slowly inviting her back into his life as he nears the end of his. The final scenes between himself and Nørby are particularly special as the two finally show some tenderness in the forgiveness, though what makes it so notable is that it feels as though it comes from that same connection we witnessed within their bitter fights. This as the warmth in the reconciliation found to be as complex as their fights were. This though is what we find throughout Max von Sydow's work here, that grants such a uniquely powerful and complex portrayal of essentially a difficult man of history. He is neither a hero nor a villain, he is a man with qualities and numerous faults. This which von Sydow details so profoundly. This is a great performance by Max von Sydow, that is part of the legacy that the man has gifted to all of us. This again in marking his work through intelligence, striking presence, and always  an absolute conviction to the material and character he was giving himself to. Although the loss of von Sydow is of course hard, may we all continued to appreciate Max von Sydow for all that he left us, including this incredible work.