Tuesday 16 June 2020

Alternate Best Actor 2014: David Gulpilil in Charlie's Country

David Gulpilil did not receive an Oscar nomination for portraying the titular character in Charlie's Country.

Charlie's Country is an effective character study following an aborigine man trying live life his way in Australia.

This is perhaps one of the more interesting progression of reviews as the last time I covered Gulpilil was for his work when he was a teenager in Walkabout. Here though we make a great leap forward to a much older Gulpilil as Charlie. Gulpilil's performance here is one of those performances that could only be given by the man performing it, not only due to his obvious heritage, but far more in what he brings to the role. This being this strictest honesty in finding his character, in a way that bars you from even second guessing a suggestion of it. From the first frame Gulpilil simply is Charlie and anything he does or acts is a given. There is neither a false or performed note in his performance. Of course this isn't to say that this is just a naturalistic turn, even if it is that, but the character of Charlie is actually quite idiosyncratic, and part of what makes it so wonderful is how Gulpilil finds this so truthfully. This in his weathered face is a man who has lived a life of a different kind of hardship and just is trying to plug along as he can initially. Gulpilil's work though doesn't fall upon easy martyrdom, in fact what I love is how much life and spirit he brings to the part rather than being a potential one note of somberness. This as even as we see the often dismal state of his existence Gulpilil does not portray it as this simple state of being downtrodden.

There's a real charm that Gulpilil brings to this performance that is just delightful. This in the manner of the man as he interacts with his fellow people, and even initially in his interactions with local badgering police force. The eccentricity that Gulpilil is something quite unique in that he manages to craft it in that same honesty as the rest of his work. This in this slight bit of kookiness, for the lack of a better word, as sort of the man attempting to maintain a bit of wildness within a world that demands a particular kind civilization from him. The sort of wily manner Gulpilil has this glint of mischievousness but also something almost inspirational within it. This as we see the man going about hunting with one of his friends, it is with an eagerness and daring. This in the moment Gulpilil showing in such an endearing manner a man living his best life at least for a moment. This even as the police initially crush these endeavors Gulpilil creates such an earned sense of frustration given how joyous the act he shows, and how natural it is to his very person. In this work I love the way Gulpilil embodies this state of empathy though within the character as we see Charlie interact with the other downtrodden. Although he doesn't speak on it a lot at first, there is such a powerful sense in his eyes and his reactions how he truly takes in this plight. Again it is with this piousness but rather this genuine sense of man being so connected within, fittingly, his country.

Gulpilil's performance is one here that manages to achieve that particular sort of success of being compelling within himself. In that just to watch him here becomes rather fascinating by so inherently authentic his work is. This is as we just see him creating a spear for himself to hunt, after the police take away his gun, the act of it being made is something special through Gulpilil;s nuanced performance that shows the certain dedication in the act, along with the curious yet always endearing eccentricity within it. This can be seen in every act of Gulpilil throughout the film. Gulpilil's work emphasizing very much how Charlie very much lives through attempting to just be as really would've his traditional calling at one time with always this sense of pride within these activities. Again though this even I think could box in the work here as that is not the case with Gulpilil as he doesn't become just a symbol of this type of man. This is as he in equal measure brings such natural humor to his performance as well. Whether this be in his interactions with a couple of local drug dealers, or acting as a "tracker" for the police to get those dealers, Gulpilil has these delightful blithe moments, most often in his English, delivery where we grants this sense of intelligence within his brief, seemingly, simple responses to men. Gulpilil's work always emphasizing all the more the thorough amount of life in his performance. This being essential in that he shows within the world that is often downtrodden there is the sense of the natural urge just to be allowed to live in the bush, in a way that wouldn't cause anyone harm. 

The police become insistent as they even confiscate his spear and kick him out of the wilderness. I love initially how Gulpilil doesn't play it as bitter right way rather this sense of disappointment and befuddlement that they would get in the way of his harmless way of life. Gulpilil's work showing the way the actions essentially are getting in the way of the natural existence of the man. When placed within the city Gulpilil with the same naturalism slowly shows a change in manner though with that same striking empathy. This first being when he discovers one of his friends dead in the hospital. Gulpilil's reaction is downright heartbreaking as he handles the most so subtle, it isn't a big cry, but rather this so intensely somber of sense of near confusion at the seeming unfeeling around the death. Gulpilil's performance then is one of this painful degradation as it seems there's something to get in the way of him living his life at every point. The point of finally lashing out has such an impact as Gulpilil is this instinctual pent up reaction. It isn't exacted with an obvious hate but rather within the moment it is filled with a potent exasperation at the treatment. This leading Charlie though to be sent to prison, where the transformation of the man is wholly within Gulpilil's performance. This in that just in his eyes he grants the needed sense of examination of the existence, before he is allowed to leave again. This with a brilliant scene Gulpilil as he meets with a parole officer. Gulpilil bringing so much charm in his honest yet also cutting responses regarding the difficulty of not associating with known drinkers particularly among cops. Gulpilil managing to be so genuinely funny while doing it in this way that just is again who Charlie is. After getting out of prison rather than trying to push the strange limits against him we instead see Charlie teaching aboriginal about his past as a dancer on a world stage in front of Queen Elizabeth. Gulpilil is amazing in this scene as he delivers that undercurrent that was always there of that pride of the man, but now here in full view. This in his work capturing such poignancy by portraying so earnestly the man's sense of love for the accomplishment but even more so the sense of that care to deliver this pride to the children. The scene being essentially Charlie fully being himself without being stopped by anyone and in that act there is something magical within Gulpilil's work. The scene exemplifying his work so beautifully. This as Gulpilil's work achieves greatness through a quiet but oh so powerful portrayal of just a portrait of an idiosyncratic man in which there is not a single false moment. This being a work were you feel as though you've just spent time with him on his journey, and were happy to do so.

73 comments:

Luke Higham said...

He's won the lineup and surely in the top 5.

Luke Higham said...

Louis: Would you consider reviewing him for The Tracker.

Tim said...

he sounds great. I really should check this movie out.

On a different note, as we were talking Shining; i recently found an old reply from you (can't remember for my life were) in which you said that Nicholson was a 3. Has that changed by now? Because i personnally would go wayyyy lower. Not just the missing development, his totally crazy Scenes are also completely ineffective for me because he plays them like a children's Cartoon depicting a lunatic

Mitchell Murray said...

Another performance I haven't seen, and yet another film to add the to watchlist.

Also, in reference to Tim's comments about Sinise in "Forrest Gump", I actually re-watched the movie after some time. Sinise is most certainly the best supporting player in the film, but Louis' review does describe his work pretty accurately. My thoughts on Hanks, meanwhile, didn't change: He's completely fine in his actual characterization, and is honestly rather good in his last few scenes.

As for the picture itself.......well.....i'll just say I didn't age particularly well, though I never loved it to begin with.

Mitchell Murray said...

*it didn't age particularly well*

Michael McCarthy said...


I now have an impossible dream film project that’s just David Gulpilil, Harry Dean Stanton, and Chishu Ryu all discussing life with each other in their native languages while playing cards on a fishing boat.

Lucas Saavedra said...

Louis: when and where are you going to review the requested performances from years you have already done the bonus rounds of? Like Philip Seymour Hoffman in Jack Goes Boating from 2010.

Shaggy Rogers said...

Gulpilil > Gyllenhaal

Luke Higham said...

Shaggy, are you gonna be like this for every overall. I'm quite sure Gyllenhaal will retain here.

Robert MacFarlane said...

Luke: I’ll be honest with you, I’d be pretty fine if Gyllenhaal ended up losing his win to most of the other 5’s. It’s a great performance, but it’s not the end-all-be-all.

Matt Mustin said...

Robert: Yup.

BRAZINTERMA said...

Coming to the end of the 2014 reanalysis speak your bets on the lineup of best actress and supporting actress

SUPPORTING ACTRESS
1º Suzanne Clément - Mommy
2º Jessica Chastain - A Most Violent Year
3º Julianne Moore - Maps to the Stars
4º Kim Dickens - Gone Girl
5º Katherine Waterston - Inherent Vice
6º Emma Stone - Birdman
7º Naomi Watts - Birdman
8º Lindsay Duncan - Birdman
9º Rene Russo - Nightcrawler
10º Kristen Stewart - Clouds of Sils Maria

LEAD ACTRESS
1º Essie Davis - The Babaddok
2º Rosamund Pike - Gone Girl
3º Marion Cotillard - Two Days, One Night
4º Emily Blunt - Edge of Tomorrow
5º Anne Dorval - Mommy
6º Nina Hoss - Phoenix
7º Hilary Swank - The Homesman
8º Rinko Kikuchi - Kumiko, the Treasure Hunter
9º Gugu Mbatha-Raw - Beyond the Lights
10º Jessica Chastain - The Disappearance of Eleanor Rigby

Louis Morgan said...

Luke:

Possibly.

Tim:

No, in that as big as the performance does I do think it carries that visceral "punch" to it. I'm not a big fan of it in anyway, but achieved an iconic status for a reason.

Lucas:

Perhaps backlog vol. 2

Michael:

I'd buy a ticket to that impossible dream.

Calvin Law said...

Yay glad to have another request get a 5 (although credit must all go to Michael for this lol)

Calvin Law said...

Also reading over this review, could actually see Gulpilil taking this.

Tim said...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rJ0yqOavyPo

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4AhdomqJJ2w


Since you say that Brad Pitt is the best when doing Comedy, what do you think About him in here?
He himself is not really proud of it, apparently he was really uncomfortable during the shoot. Personnally i still say that the hair flip in the second Video is my favorite Moment of his entire career though =))

Jack Narrator said...

Brazinterma:

Supporting Actress
1. Jessica Chastain (A Most Violent Year)
2. Suzanne Clément (Mommy)
3. Emma Stone (Birdman)
4. Lindsay Duncan (Birdman)
5. Julianne Moore (Maps to the Stars)
6. Keira Knightley (The Imitation Game)
7. Rene Russo (The Nightcrawler)
8. Naomi Watts (Birdman)
9. Kim Dickens (Gone Girl)
10. Patricia Arquette (Boyhood)

Lead Actress
1. Marion Cotillard (Two Days, One Night)
2. Anne Dorval (Mommy)
3. Essie Davis (The Babaddok)
4. Nina Hoss (Phoenix)
5. Emily Blunt (Edge of Tomorrow)
6. Hilary Swank (The Homesman)
7. Felicity Jones - (The Theory of Everything)
8. Rosamund Pike (Gone Girl)
9. Susanne Wuest (Goodnight Mommy)
10. Julianne Moore (Still Alice)

Tahmeed Chowdhury said...

Tim: Pitt's pretty terrific in that episode of Friends, that was an Emmy nomination well deserved.

Lucas Saavedra said...

Louis: ratings and thoughts on the rest of the cast?

Mitchell Murray said...

Tim: After watching the likes of "True Romance" and "Once Upon a Time in Hollywood", I'm tempted to say stoner Pitt is my favourite Pitt. I would put him the same vein as DiCaprio, honestly, in that they both have ample comedic skill, but are seldom given the chance to show it.

Emi Grant said...

Mitchell: Honorable mention goes to "Good Samaritan" Pitt.

Louis Morgan said...

Tim:

Friends, as I've stated before, isn't really my bag, I'd say Pitt does a fine job there within its brand of humor, however again it's not my cup of tea.

Lucas:

Everyone else is fine, but while there are plenty of other speaking characters, it's really a one man show in terms of how performances are used.

Anonymous said...

Louis what would be your top ten actors who are best represented by their Oscar nominations?

Robert MacFarlane said...

Louis: Will you consider watching Community now that it’s on Netflix?

Mitchell Murray said...

Anonymous: I assume you mean who was nominated for their best work...

John Travolta
Scarlett Johansson
Dev Patel
Jessie Eisenberg
Joe Pesci
Heath Ledger
Liam Neeson
Sigourney Weaver (For both of her leading nominations)
Jon Voight ("Coming Home", most certainly, and I've heard good things about him in "Midnight Cowboy")
Marion Cotillard (By virtue of both "La Vie en Rose" and "Two Days, One Night" being exceptional performances)

Louis Morgan said...

Anonymous:

Well if you mean they were nominated for generally their best/better work...

1. Daniel Day-Lewis
2. Gene Hackman
3. Joe Pesci
4. Rod Steiger
5. Laurence Olivier
6. Robert Duvall
7. William Hurt
8. Willem Dafoe
9. Claude Rains
10. Alec Guinness

Leave it to multiple nominations only...and technically some of these I'd categorize as "under-nominated" , however built on being recognized for their best work without outlier underwhelming nominations.

Robert:

I watched a completely random episode one time, which I thought was alright...so maybe.

Robert MacFarlane said...

Louis: Be warned, the first few episodes are rough. It doesn’t get into a real groove until a little before halfway through the season. Try to stick with it.

Louis Morgan said...

Robert:

I'll keep that in mind.

Matt Mustin said...

Robert: I don't know if I completely agree with that. I think it's funny from the beginning it's just a different show.

Mitchell Murray said...

Since were on the topic of sitcoms, one that I would recommend to everyone here is "Letterkenny". I'm sure I've mentioned the show before, but in a nutshell, it's basically this breezy sketch comedy about rural Canadian life (Specifically Northern Ontario) - with all the stereotypes and references that might entail.

Personally, I find the show very enjoyable not just in it's gags/characters, but also because it is one of the few "mainstream" sitcoms with a Canadian setting. I wouldn't say its perfect, but it's definitely consistent and well observed in many regards.

Mitchell Murray said...

And before anyone asks...No...that's not how we all talk. :)

Calvin Law said...

I watched Mommy, not faultless but definitely worth perusing, need to think about Clément and Pilon but Dorval is a very easy 5.

John Smith said...

I saw 'A Rainy Day In New York'. And it was terrible... Same old shtick that Allen has done before but without heart and the vison of someone who cares. Its a mess.

Chalamet:1.5 (I really like chalamet in general, thought he was good in 'The King' and 'Beautiful Boy' but here he seems lost. I think he is an actor who
can only be great when working with a competent director who has a vision, he cant give a performance that is above this terrible script, he is the worst written character).

Fanning 2.5: She comes across as really overbearing but seems to try finding the character, unfortunately the voice she uses comes across as grating and this innocent, naive charachter who everyone seems to be in awe of comes across as cringey. But i give her 2.5 because i cant see anyone playing it better.

Gomes 3/3.5: She did well here. Enjoyed her sardonic/sarcastic delivery and managed to make the most of her dialogues. MVP of the film for sure.

Law 2: He was boring. Dont have much to say. He showed up and said his dialogues. Harsh but true in my opinion.

Schrieber: Seems lost. The character does not come together. But i feel the mannerism was well incorporated into the performance and he managed to convey the characters anxiety's.

Luna: Read thoughts on Law.

John Smith said...


Louis, i saw the 'The Remains Of The Day' and thought Hopkins gave a great performance. I would give him 4.5 close to 5. Is there a chance for an upgrade?

Also Louis, your thoughts on the voice of Lauren Bacall

Luke Higham said...

RIP Vera Lynn

John Smith said...

I love community. I really belive that they found their grrove and set the tone for the show in episode 5. Dan Harmon and the rest of the cast would agree.

Calvin Law said...

RIP Vera Lynn

Mitchell Murray said...

Rest in peace, Vera Lynn.

RatedRStar said...

RIP Vera Lynn

Tim said...

R.I.P. Vera Lynn


Also, i once read that Brando for The Godfather was originally a 5 but later on got down to 4.5; as i've read, most others here seem to give him the same.
Why exactly is that? As i think i would still give him a 5. A low-to-middle-5, but still.
I know it is not the most significant difference, but i seem to be in the minority here and would just like the reasoning behind that.

Tahmeed Chowdhury said...

Tim: Brando's a 5 for me too, but I think the particular lack of focus given to him later on in the film (even though he still makes a tremendous impact in my opinion) brings him down ever so slightly for Louis.

Robert MacFarlane said...

This is a real hot take of mine, but I think Brando is better than Pacino in The Godfather (and Pacino in Part II is better than either of them). A recent viewing from a few months ago solidified this stance. Also, Duvall deserves a 5 for it.

Anonymous said...

Louis: Your thoughts on Peter Bogdanovich in The Sopranos

Mitchell Murray said...

So I watched "Nobody's Fool" for the first time, and it was....nothing special. Really, I was surprised at just how boring I found the film to be; The story itself felt more like a series of unfinished scenes, rather than a solid, emotionally sincere narrative. The direction and music don't help either, and for a movie with such a distinguished cast, no one makes that much of an impact here. So yah...I just thought the picture was underwhelming in almost every way, with the exception of it's leading performance, thankfully.

Mitchell Murray said...

"Nobody's Fool" also completes the 1994 best actor year for myself. My ranking would be as followed:

5) Hanks (3.5)
4) Newman (4)
3) Travolta (4.5)
2) Hawthorne (4.5)
1) Freeman (5)

Tahmeed Chowdhury said...

Robert: I also agree with the fact that Pacino's better in Part II, and that Duvall is also my supporting actor win for 1972.

Aidan Pittman said...

I rewatched the first Godfather a few days before seeing Part II for the first time, and I thought Brando's impact was significant throughout. If anything, I felt he was better in the later parts of the film, mainly his "Look how they massacred my boy" line reading earns him a 5 from me alone. I also agree with Robert that I liked him a little more than Pacino, also thought he was a bit better in Part II, but I'm not sure if I prefer him to Brando or not. I also think Duvall deserves a higher rating, I'd probably give him a 4.5 in the first one.

Louis Morgan said...

Woah woah, let's not be giving my opinion for me. I simply don't love Brando as most do in Godfather, doesn't have anything to do with focus, which I made no mention of in my original review (not that I would recommend reading those reviews.)

I will say I prefer Pacino with ease in the first, even though I prefer the second as a film, as Pacino depicts the full transformation of Michael from the innocent to the cold blooded mobster of part 2, whereas he's more static, though still great, in part 2....but hey want me to give the win back to Olivier....

Anonymous:

Bogdanovich - (He is a hoot in just playing the slightly smug, often hypocritical note he plays. There's nothing quite honesty about him even in his delivery that feigns caring psychiatrist, and everything about him in his interactions with Bracco are great in the disingenuous nature of him consistently. Bogdanovich portrays him brilliantly as someone who never really tells it like it is, but has the sense as though he's quite sure he's right all the time. He is delightfully horrible.)














RIP Vera Lynn

Tahmeed Chowdhury said...

Louis: Point noted xD.

Louis Morgan said...

John Smith:

Bacall's voice, even as she got older, was just the right touch of huskiness that would create such incredible sultriness, a combination that only would be bested by Katheleen Turner in terms of innuendo on voice alone.

I've answered the other question before.

Robert MacFarlane said...

Well you’re not entirely wrong about static characterization, but you realize that also applies to the performance that is currently your 2014 win? Are you implying a change now?

Robert MacFarlane said...

*change in wins, I really should stop typing from my phone

Bryan L. said...

Louis: Speaking of, your present film roles for Lauren Bacall? Since you previously covered Bogart, of course.

Louis Morgan said...

Robert:

Without speaking on the main question, I'll have to grant there are of course those static performances that are so brilliantly conceived and compelling in that state that they can overcome competition of those with technically more dynamic character arcs...but we'll see.

Bryan:

Samantha (Her)
Linda Drysdale
LaVona Golden

Anonymous said...

Louis: your top 15 chris hemsworth acting moments

Anonymous said...

Louis: While we're on the subject of character arcs, how did you exactly break the tie between Mikkelsen and Phoenix for 2012? Did you do a best scene comparison, or was it something more of a visceral pull?

Lucas Saavedra said...

Louis: your top 16-20 Chris Hemsworth acting moments

Calvin Law said...

RIP Ian Holm :(

Tahmeed Chowdhury said...

RIP Ian Holm.

Louis Morgan said...

R.I.P. Ian Holm

Luke Higham said...

OH NO

RIP Ian Holm :(

Tahmeed Chowdhury said...

Louis: Can Holm go up for The Sweet Hereafter?

RatedRStar said...

RIP Ian Holm =(

Aidan Pittman said...

R.I.P. Ian Holm :(

Bryan L. said...

Damn! :(

RIP Ian Holm

BRAZINTERMA said...

After John Hurt and Harry Dean Stanton, another Alien actor is gone.

RIP Mr. Holm

Mitchell Murray said...

Oh that's so unfortunate.

Rest in peace, Ian Holm. I will cherish your performances as Ash and Bilbo (Among others) for as long as I live.

Robert MacFarlane said...

RIP Ian Holm. This one hurts.

Lucas Saavedra said...

R.I.P.
Ian Holm

Tim said...

a legend hopefully finds peace in the Undying Lands.
R.I.P. Ian Holm

John Smith said...

Rip Ian Holm

Michael McCarthy said...

R.I.P. Ian Holm

Louis Morgan said...

Anonymous:

Nothing like that, in my view Phoenix and Mikkelsen are both equally perfect in their roles, which are quite different and stress different things despite being both built from emotional intensity, though of different kinds, Phoenix just, for me personally, made a microscopic degree more of an impact, as Mikkelsen also made plenty of impact.

Anonymous:

Top ten seems more appropriate at the moment:

1. Talk with Rocket - Infinity War
2. Suns getting real low - Thor Ragnarok
3. "Supportive" talk to Banner - Thor Ragnarok
4. Almost killing Thanos - Infinity War
5. Loki snake story - Thor Ragnarok
6. Opening - Infinity War
7. Talk with Mom - Endgame
8. Elevator talk with Loki - Thor Ragnarok
9. New Thor - Endgame
10. Meeting the grandmaster - Thor Ragnarok

Tahmeed:

Maybe.