Tuesday 17 March 2020

Alternate Best Actor 1996: Philippe Torreton in Captain Conan

Philippe Torreton did not receive an Oscar nomination for portraying the titular character in Captain Conan.

Captain Conan is an effective film following the exploits and fallout of an infantry group during World War I, and after.

Captain Conan is a mix of stories, though these actually do cohere, this as we follow Captain Conan, his friend the academically inclined Norbert, and his squad of soldiers, many who were in military prisons previously during World War I, and a bit after. We first witness the men as they are in their element, and this is best represented by Philippe Torreton as the titular Conan. Torreton delivers a wonderful physical performance here in that he creates this effortless combination of intensity with bravado. Torreton creates a man where war essentially is his personal playground in a way, this in the man who is not a soldier but a self-described warrior. This is found in Torreton's performance as Conan, where his name is quite befitting. Torreton's portrayal delivers that man who as he walks among the battlefield you are granted this sense of determination in his eyes, but his whole manner though is with this unique charisma. We see how his men would follow him without question as there is such a sense of certainty in his movements, and his whole manner has this force of personality that Torreton brings out with it. He finds a striking presence of a man who is a force onto himself, but even greater when amplified what he does for his troops. This as Torreton doesn't portray him even as the more typical somber, essentials sort, rather this is a man who wants to be on the battlefield as everything about him in these scenes is a man who is thriving in this environment.

In and around the battles, during the war, Torreton portrays a soldier who lives to be a soldier. This as even as he chats up local girls seeking quick dalliances, it isn't with a lustfulness, but rather that same certainty in his spirit that defines his ferocity in battles. Torreton delivering the charm of the conquering hero in a way, even though much of his work involves technical slaughter as his company has a no prisoners policy. Torreton though presents a man wholly comfortable, as he would be a warrior from any century rather than perhaps the more expected respectable man of the 20th century. Torreton delivers this natural state of the confidence that just exudes in his manner that is without that hesitation. This as he even orders the disobedience of commands, Torreton delivers these lines a mere fact of what will be done without question. This with a sense of a man who knows exactly what he is doing, and the assurance that whatever he says will be done, must be done. There is an ease, and even grace about it that you are granted how he could get away with it, because in this same way you see the efficiency of the man in this. What the man does do is make advancements, and is successful in war. His manner is supported by his success within the French cause. Naturally however though as this cause stops being useful so does the tactics, as when the war is almost won, this is as his men are faced with charges of war crimes.

Torreton is excellent in still portraying the ease of Conan even in this field of the political war of sense, as he delivers again this charisma as he makes his moments of advisement and frustration known to help his men avoid their charges. In each instance again Torreton properly owns the screen, as he delivers each word still with this strict confidence of a man who will see his justice done, and his eyes offer not a hint of hesitation at any point. This as Torreton makes it utterly natural as Conan goes behind the backs of a superior to help an individual soldier, as it is merely in his line to do what his "warrior's" sensibility tells him to do rather than whatever justice another has decided for him. Torreton always emphasizing with his work the strength of will in the man that seems to overcome any adversity when it relates to battle whether it be the battle itself or the fallout from it. Torreton shows us a man absolutely in his element in each scene, and makes such an impression every second he is on screen through the sense of purity of this approach. This however is brilliantly contrasted in the film's epilogue where we find his friend Norbert seeking him out years after the war. Torreton is amazing in this scene in portraying the opposite, this as the warrior now left to fester into nothingness. Torreton is heartbreaking in portraying just how that confidence is now gone in his somber delivery of the hopelessness of his life, and the sense of loss in his eyes as alcohol seems his only comfort in life. In the scene, which I wouldn't have minded if it had been a bit longer, Torreton poignantly shows the warrior without a battle to be fought, and in that just shows a lost soul slowly fading away. This given haunting detail through Torreton's work that offers this as an extreme, but believable shadow to the conqueror that had been Conan.

32 comments:

Luke Higham said...

Louis: Ratings and thoughts on the rest of the cast.

Anonymous said...

Luke: Your rating and thoughts on Tolkien (2019) as a missed opportunity?

Bryan L. said...

Luke, that was me. Accidentally clicked on Anonymous instead of my own name.

Michael McCarthy said...

Any leads on how to watch this?

Anonymous said...

Luke, Who do you think will be Louis' Best Actor choice, presuming the Oscars might not take place due to current events.

Luke Higham said...

Bryan: A 2.5. It should've been a 3 part mini-series, as it cut off just as it was about to get to the real meat of the story which is the writing process of Tolkien's works.

Anonymous: If it turns out well then we could possibly see a 2nd win for Gary Oldman (He won't retain #1 for '94).

RatedRStar said...

My office is closed for time being due to Corona.

Hope everyone is doing good?

Luke Higham said...

RatedRStar: I'm still working with reduced hours which is both a blessing and a curse.

RatedRStar said...

Luke: Everyday still but you finish earlier?

Luke Higham said...

RatedRStar: Yes though financially it sucks.

Mitchell Murray said...

I'm just glad that I live in a fairly small, rural community, making it harder for the virus to "stake a claim", as it were.

To everyone here living in Europe, I wish you nothing but the best, especially our Italian bloggers Omar and Giuseppe!

Luke Higham said...

Louis: What would be your 3 ideal horror film roles for Carey Mulligan (A genre I'd love to see her tackle since the closest she ever came to it was 'Blink' from Doctor Who).

Anonymous said...

Louis: Your thoughts on the Better Call Saul episode 'Dedicado a Max.'

Bryan L. said...

Luke: Miss Giddens from The Innocents perhaps, since she’s getting close to the same age Kerr was in that film.

Anonymous said...

Louis, what was your Top 20 of last year?

Mitchell Murray said...

So believe it or not, I just watched "Titanic" in it's entirety for the first time. Technically speaking, the film is rather admirable in its scope and direction, with the visuals still holding up for the most part. In terms of narrative structure, though, it's far from perfect as Cameron never feels completely assured in his attempts at melodrama. His direction is substantially better during the movie's action focused second half, whereas the initial set up simply fails to be all that compelling or unique. It takes the premise of "Romeo and Juilet" meets "shipwreck" a little too literally, in that many of the elements branching from the central romance are simply underwhelming. The pacing also could've been improved not so much in terms of length, but in terms of order i.e. trim down the 90's scenes, or have them all at either the beginning/end. Overall, I'd say I'm rather divided on the film in that there are aspects of it I genuinely like, yet the story at its center ultimately feels a little bloated/self gratifying.

DiCaprio - 4
Winslet - 4
Stuart - 3.5
Garber - 3/3.5
Hill - 3
Bates - 3
Paxton - 3
Fisher - 3
Warner - 2
Zane - 1.5

Louis Morgan said...

Luke:

Le Bihan - 3.5(Gives a fine, very much supporting, supporting performance. In that he offers a nice quietly assured counterpart to his co-star, showing a more tempered man in every respect, however still being able to find that mutual and understanding that defines their relationship. Le Bihan delivering this will be emphasizing a quiet bemusement but also genuine concern for friend.)

Everyone else is fine but no one stands out beyond that.

Michael:

I'm afraid like Uncle Vanya, DVD only.

Anonymous:

A terrific episode I found in terms of heightening the tension of sort of the attempted Kim/Jimmy ploy, that I love how it is finally truly spiraling out of control for her as using "Saul" as step skipper. Also like Mike's scenes of sort of reflection of thought, with a great one central scene for Esposito as well.

Anonymous:

You can find that here:

http://actoroscar.blogspot.com/2020/02/alternate-best-actor-2019-results.html

Luke Higham said...

Louis: Have you seen Rasputin with Alan Rickman.

RatedRStar said...

I feel I should do this, it is sad when an actor has passed away but you didn't know about it because it wasn't reported very much.

I always loved watching Cagney and Lacey, I think it is a very underrated show with some brilliant acting and writing for the time.

RIP John Karlen who fully deserved his Emmy.

Michael Patison said...

Daniel: I've been self-isolating with my Mom at our place for the last week. All classes have been moved to online. There's 60 cases in my general area (Dallas-Fort Worth).

Bryan L. said...

Louis: Your cast for a 90s Lynch version of Enemy? I think he for sure would've gotten Maclachlan for Adam/Anthony.

RatedRStar said...

Michael Patison: I am very sorry to hear that Michael, we haven't seen too much of you on the blog recently, we are here if you ever need to talk =D, this blog is no longer just a film blog, it is a place where people can talk about their problems as well like a little family =D.

RatedRStar said...

To be honest I don't even want to go back to my job, been there since 2014, my first ever job amazingly and it has just become a shell of what it once was, I remember when Louis Morgan himself wished me well when I was struggling last year which mean't a lot, numerous others on the blog also wished me well =D.

I am terrified of the day when I eventually will leave.

Bryan L. said...

Louis: Also, would it be safe to say that you're annoyed at the fact that the one time Jim Jarmusch assembles his All-Stars for a film, it ends up being for
"The Dead Don't Die"? Because...I am.

Calvin Law said...

RatedRStar: take care man. Honestly whenever you feel it’s the right time to make the change you should make the change but don’t feel pressured to rush into it! I’m sure everything will pan out well.

RatedRStar said...

Calvin: Thanks man =D hugs to you.

Bryan L. said...

RatedRStar: Oh right. As for me, I had just landed a decent, good-pay temporary job earlier this month, and today, they just shut us down for (at least) two weeks. Just my luck xD

Tahmeed Chowdhury said...

My school is closed, probably until final exams (which are in a month or so). I'm just lucky I was able to give my SATs on the 14th, given how it was cancelled in 25 countries.

BRAZINTERMA said...

Hello Louis and followers.

Let's play a little game called "My Old Wins". It's very simple: take the categories from Louis' "My Wins" page and name your winners BEFORE 1928 (when Oscar was born). As the sound did not yet exist, the Sound Editing and Sound Mixing categories are out. For those who did not understand the game here are two examples of mine to be followed ...

BRAZINTERMA said...

1920

PICTURE: The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari
DIRECTOR: Robert Wiene - The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari
ACTOR: Werner Krauss - The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari
ACTRESS: Lillian Gish - Way Down East
SUPPORTING ACTOR : Conrad Veidt - The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari
SUPPORTING ACTRESS: Nita Naldi - Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde
ENSEMBLE: The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari
PRODUCTION DESIGN: The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari
SCORE: The Mark of Zorro
EDITING: The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari
VISUAL EFFECTS: The Golem
COSTUME DESIGN: The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari
CINEMATOGRAPHY: The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari
MAKEUP AND HAIRSTYLING: The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari
ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY: The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari
ADAPTED SCREENPLAY: The Penalty

BRAZINTERMA said...

1926

PICTURE: The General
DIRECTOR: Clyde Bruckman and Buster Keaton - The General
ACTOR: Buster Keaton - The General
ACTRESS: Vera Baranovskaya - Mother
SUPPORTING ACTOR : Emil Jannings - Faust
SUPPORTING ACTRESS: Marion Mack - The General
ENSEMBLE: 3 Bad Men
PRODUCTION DESIGN: Faust
SCORE: The General
EDITING: The General
VISUAL EFFECTS: Faust
COSTUME DESIGN: The Son of the Sheik
CINEMATOGRAPHY: Faust
MAKEUP AND HAIRSTYLING: Faust
ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY: The General
ADAPTED SCREENPLAY: Faust

Louis Morgan said...

Wish everyone the best, good to hear from you Michael P.

Luke:

Not yet, but I definitely will get to it.

Bryan:

Well yes for MacLachlan, given the great success of his trio in The Return.

Mary: Sheryl Lee
Helen: Laura Dern
Mother: Grace Zabriskie

Most definitely yes, given just how uninspired the film felt across the board, and I will say hopefully Driver and Murray could pair up again sometime, as I did like the pairing.