Saturday 2 May 2020

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.

28 comments:

Luke Higham said...

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

Luke Higham said...

Louis: Of your ten most anticipated films of 2020, which do you think will be delayed into next year.

Luke Higham said...

I'm pleased both Conti and Courtenay have gone up.

Luke Higham said...

Louis: Your ratings for Hopkins and McKellen in the BBC Remake.

BRAZINTERMA said...

Hey guys (except Louis)! Tell me your Top 10 best supporting actress and lead actress from 1983 ...

SUPPORTING ACTRESS:
1º Susan Sarandon - The Hunger
2º Melinda Dillon - A Christmas Story
3º Brooke Adams - The Dead Zone
4º Debbie Harry - Videodrome
5º Cher - Silkwood
6º Rosemary Harris - The Ploughman's Lunch
7º Meg Tilly - The Big Chill
8º Jamie Lee Curtis - Trading Places
9º Joanna Pacula - Gorky Park
10º Michelle Pfeiffer - Scarface

LEAD ACTRESS:
1º Sandrine Bonnaire - To Our Loves / À Nos Amours
2º Fanny Ardant - Confidentially Yours
3º Catherine Deneuve - The Hunger
4º Julie Walters - Educating Rita
5º Meryl Streep - Silwood
6º Sondra Locke - Sudden Impact
7º Renée Soutendijk - The 4th Man
8º Jill Clayburgh - Hanna K
9º Jane Alexander - Testament
10º Bonnie Bedelia - Heart Like a Wheel

And you?

RatedRStar said...

I am glad you chose to see Betrayal =D I really liked it and I am glad it actually got Oscar nominated for screenplay.

Luke Higham said...

Having read the 'Dresser' review, Courtenay's definitely your winner.

RatedRStar said...

Interesting, I see some strange blue writing in your Courtenay review Louis, I dont know what it could possibly mean =D.

Luke Higham said...

Well I'm glad Pszoniak's going to be in the top 5.

Bryan L. said...

...nevermind

*Reads review*

Wait, why are the Mifunes at the top of the re-

Tahmeed Chowdhury said...

Brilliant review as usual, Louis. Loved the change up.

Also, I guess I really need to rewatch The Dresser now.

Tahmeed Chowdhury said...

Louis: The point you raised about category fraud in the final paragraph of Courtenay/Finney's review is interesting. Of the several duos nominated for Best Actor before the 2000s, which of them do you think would be placed in supporting now?

Louis Morgan said...

Luke:

Hodge - 4(She delivers a good performance but she is definitely overshadowed by the more emotionally charged work of Irons. Her best scene is her last/first scene where we see the confusion yet also intrigue at the proposition which she plays particularly well. She's again effective in creating the sense of a real chemistry with Iron then later distance. She also finds the right sense of anxiety in her moments with Kingsley in his earlier suspicions then his later direct confrontation.)

Well actually Blonde because it may have trouble finding a distributor now, and potentially TENET only because it has to be in a blockbuster spot, it is right now still in the spot that is either going to be the first blockbuster to open again, or be pushed back, only time will tell, if it waits too long it won't find space later. That's partly why Dune seems safe because it is so late to begin with, and finished shooting. Netflix releases seem the most safe, and I ponder if their waiting to release "I'm Thinking of Ending Things" because if things don't change up, it could be an unlikely awards player.

McKellen - 3(He'd be 3.5, but that final line reading was a great disappointment to me. He didn't need to do it just like Courtenay, but his approach made it seem like Norman didn't really even care about Sir.)

Hopkins - 4.5

RatedRStar:

It simply denotes the additions to my original review.

Tahmeed;

Thanks.

Louis Morgan said...

Tahmeed:

Who'd go supporting:

Amadeus: F. Murray Abraham (A tough one, though I think the name of the film would determine the placement. I think though this would be an example of Frost/Nixon likely, where both would refuse to take the backseat.)

The Dresser: Tom Courtenay
Network: Peter Finch
Sleuth: Michael Caine
Midnight Cowboy: Dustin Hoffman
Becket: Peter O'Toole
Judgment At Nuremberg: Maximilian Schell (No question on that one)
The Defiant Ones: Sidney Poitier (Based on Green Book/Blood Diamond)
Giant: James Dean (again no question, as he IS supporting)
From Here to Eternity: Burt Lancaster
Mutiny on the Bounty: Charles Laughton & Franchot Tone

Bryan L. said...

Tahmeed: For Midnight Cowboy, I think Hoffman would’ve been placed in Supporting, because they’d probably make the argument that Voight has the early scenes in Texas all to himself.

Bryan L. said...

Louis: Same question as Tahmeed, but for Best Actress (Thelma & Louise, Terms of Endearment, All About Eve, etc)?

Louis Morgan said...

Bryan:

Thelma and Louise: Geena Davis
Terms of Endearment: Shirley MacLaine
The Turning Point: Anne Bancroft
All About Eve: Anne Baxter (Which I'm sure Davis would've preferred)

Jack Narrator said...

Brazinterma

Supporting Actress
1. Melinda Dillon (A Christmas Story)
2. Glenn Close (The Big Chill)
3. Meg Tilly (The Big Chill)
4. Barbara Hershey (The Right Stuff)
5. Cher (Silkwood)
6. Ellen Barkin (Daniel)
7. Brooke Adams (The Dead Zone)
8. Veronica Cartwright(The Right Stuff)
9. JoBeth Williams (The Big Chill)
10. Debbie Harry - Videodrome

Lead Actress
1. Catherine Deneuve (The Hunger)
2. Julie Walters (Educating Rita)
3. Meryl Streep (Silwood)
4. Shirley MacLaine (Terms of Endearment)
5. Susan Sarandon (The Hunger)
6. Sandrine Bonnaire (To Our Loves)
7. Barbra Streisand (Yentl)
8. Natalie Wood (Brainstorm)
9. Debra Winger (Terms of Endearment)
10. Jamie Lee Curtis (Love Letters)

Bryan L. said...

Louis: I believe Blonde is a Netflix film as well.

Louis Morgan said...

Hadn't seen that they bought it, well I'm glad we'll be able to see it this year...I have a feeling Netflix is going to try to "reserve its strength" to finally get a best picture win this year.

Luke Higham said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Luke Higham said...

Louis: What about Next Goal Wins.

Louis Morgan said...

Luke:

It's in post-production so I'm sure it'll get a release, especially since a lot of other "no longer Fox" Searchlight films have been halted, and Wendy fizzled.

Tahmeed Chowdhury said...

Louis: Could I have your thoughts on this article:

https://www.indiewire.com/2020/05/christopher-nolan-working-hard-theaters-opened-1202228659/

While I can understand what Nolan's going for, it also just seems rather selfish and irresponsible as well.

Louis Morgan said...

Tahmeed:

Well I appreciate his passion for the theatrical experience, not the best way to word it at the time, and again why I think the film could get a full year delay, given "at best" he'll be cutting it close with the mid-July release. Would've more sense to say maybe "if everything is safe" then he'll be pushing to be the first film.

Robert MacFarlane said...

Tahmeed: It’s *incredibly* selfish and irresponsible. Public safety shouldn’t be sacrificed just because his ego might be bruised. Continuing this stance at this point is denial of reality.

Tahmeed Chowdhury said...

Robert: Agreed on all fronts.

Luke Higham said...

I love Nolan but his current stance is absolute insanity. 50% capacity measures will be put in place once cinemas are re-opened and it'll need about $500 million to break even which I don't see happening especially since the majority of the general public in my country wouldn't want to risk it right now.