Alternate Best Actor 1983: Jeremy Irons & Ben Kingsley in Betrayal

Kingsley's two final scenes, one quite brief, are of the end of a man in a way. This rather the end of any sense of good will that is. Kingsley, still then just coming off of Gandhi, portraying a man who has lost his airs, though in a way is portraying a man both hurt, yet plays it in a way as a man who is ready to hurt. Kingsley's terrific in the detachment he brings so carefully. This as the sharpness of his voice captures the titular betrayal to be sure and his eyes unwavering, however still presents as though detached. This in a way showing the hurt within the man who in a way recovers from it by acting towards his friend as though it is just a thing that has happened nor more no less. This creating a man who has become a victim of cruelty in tun has become cruel. In the end Irons portrays a man stricken by a guilt rather than any experience. This in the final scene between Robert and Jerry, where Irons very much emphasize that sense of guilt though in the betrayer. This in his expression of a man seeking his friend's anger in a way almost to legitimatize and be punished for his failure as a friend. In turn his very final way with the technical mutual lover, Irons shows a man where the passion is now gone and the wound of betrayal lasts. Irons speaks with familiarity, but also a sense of a failure. The idea of the relationship still apparent in the interaction but lacking in as you gather only the sense of that guilt still in his performance. Both actors in a way in their infancy though giving performances stripped somewhat of the presences that they'd become known for, however their talent evident in realizing each man changed by the central failure of their friendship.

Kingsley performs so well the truth of the man as he technically lies repeatedly among his best friend and his betraying wife when together. Kingsley is heartbreaking in depicting the man just putting on a bright smile as he goes through the motions however every interaction is granted this undercurrent of a stress in his work. This as his facade is coming ever closer to fully cracking under the weight of it. Every word he speaks cannot quite capture a sincerity, it comes close, and in that slight miss is the strength of Kingsley's work. This as he creates the wound of the work in his performance. This as every word he speaks has this bit of struggle, suggesting a man just prepping to fall apart. Irons is good in both being blissfully unaware yet also aware in this curious sparing match between the men. Irons showing the man just being the friend, and is effective in that sense. This trying to be the friend, however in every glance towards the intensity of sort so his friend, and certain words he speaks, evokes the repressed guilt. Irons's body language and way of seeming to avoid directly being open with his friend reveals the failure. This as we see relationship with Emma being something that cannot last any longer. Irons is terrific in being able to capture the in a way the weakness of the man as the denial of any relationship being possibly left. Irons still though finding the undercurrent of a weakness in the man, a sense of the tenderness though only funneled within his eyes as a somber reflection as what he has done to his friend.

The man being Jeremy Irons's Jerry and the husband being Ben Kingsley's Robert. In the technical beginning of the story we are granted the messy start of an affair. This as we get to see the breakout talents of Jeremy Irons and Ben Kingsley at the beginning of their breakouts. Each having not quite fashioned their onscreen presence, allowing for a very different side to be seen of them, than the modern viewer would be used to. This seen in that messy beginning when Jerry comes on to Emma with a sloppy charisma. Irons owns it in the right way as he shows a drunken enthusiasm of a fool, that isn't without its charm, even as Emma is more taken aback then anything initially. This supplemented though with Kingsley portraying just an earnest attitude of man admiring in seemingly his own happiness towards his still faithful wife, and his less faithful friend. We do see the friendship of the two men continue as Irons and Kingsley find the important sense of just a genuine friendship. It isn't earth shattering but just an understanding between two men that get along. Kingsley though showing the light cracks starting, of almost a idea back in his head that nags within him. This realized in just a twitch of the eyes, of a second thought nagging at his mind, though more often than not still ready to just talk with his good friend. Kingsley maneuvering a unique hostility that is of suspicion of the affair but not quite a knowledge of it. I think essential is in the relationship between Jerry and Emma given they are the central betrayers. Irons and Hodge striking up an essential chemistry between the two. The chemistry carrying the expected lust in certain moment, but more important the genuine tenderness between the two as they come together. Both finding a sense of connection that goes beyond the physical. This in Irons portraying the sense of comfort within the relationship and a truly loving sense between the two that is not just a fling. This in a way creating a relationship that wouldn't be opposed to say a Brief Encounter, the problem is here we actually get to know the cuckolded husband quite well. The scene of discovery of his wife is brilliantly performance by Ben Kingsley. This as just this ever growing bit of hostility in the man. Kingsley wavering between the sharpest tongue with overtures of warmth as the loving husband. Kingsley wears though the defeat of the man, and the moment of the direction confrontation is an incredible moment for him. This as it carries the anger of it of course, but more so the real sense of defeat in the man in acknowledging both his wife and his best friend have deceived him.

Betrayal moves in reverse chronological order as you might've guessed from this gimmick of a review. Unlike the Seinfeld episode of almost the same name though, it is effective in this approach as the technique plays with preconceptions of the situation rather well. The situation being the affair between a Man and his best friend's wife Emma (Patricia Hodge).


Jeremy Irons and Ben Kingsley did not receive Oscar nominations for portraying Jerry and Robert respectively in Betrayal.