Alternate Best Actor 2014: Jesse Eisenberg in The Double

Jesse Eisenberg did not receive an Oscar nomination for portraying Simon James and James Simon in The Double.

You know I think Richard Ayoade is a big fan of David Lynch. This being one of two attempted Lynchian films about doubles from 2014, this one I suppose a bit more overt in its Lynchian desires. The only problem I find attempted Lynchian is often harder to digest than a store brand soda. I want the real deal and the attempts to live up to the master typically fall short. In this case, it does, though not to horrible levels thankfully, it's just not that good in its story about man working at a strange company where a man with his face also starts working there as well...oddity begins to transpire.

Jesse Eisenberg is one of those actors with a presence that is a certain shorthand for his characters, but also is a limitation for him as a performer. When we see Eisenberg we expect an introvert with different levels of neurosis. Working in within certain type though with a greater range than say his true doppelgänger, the far less talented Michael Cera. Half of Eisenberg's performance is right within that wheelhouse. This as this company worker who is just going about his routine initially. This being largely ignored or mistreated by others, with the most being some slight potential romance with a seemingly interested co-worker Hannah (Mia Wasikowska). Eisenberg indeed fits right into the character and is this sort of true wallflower. I'll say Eisenberg in his element has a certain compelling quality within his awkward manner. This is the case here as he certainly successfully realizes both Simon's strange state of being but also more than anything creates a bit more. This in just the way he interacts with the oddness is a bit important as Eisenberg plays as though he's not quite well with this odd world he finds himself in, despite everyone else being so comfortable. This combined with enough of an uneasiness that he attaches to certain sense of longing towards something more than it is in his admiration of Hannah. Of course everything gets a whole lot stranger when his non-Michael Cera doppelgänger appears, and it takes awhile for everyone to notice the two men look exactly like one another.

This is first where we see Eisenberg's other performances as James, and here is perhaps where things are not as ideal for him. Eisenberg can play confident, but it is a very narrow margin of confidence. Eisenberg can do this type of confidence well more so in the vein of his Zuckerberg, which we see here. He projects well this sort of domination of presence, and is able to stand tall without literally doing so. This in that his confidence doesn't project a traditional charisma, and I suppose to certain extent it seems like that is something the role wanted. This as James isn't just suppose to be confident he's supposed to be immediately loved by everyone based on his charisma. I'd say Eisenberg struggles with this angle a little bit. Although this isn't to say there isn't some good to be had here nonetheless largely through the interactions between the doubles, which for me are pretty easily the highlights of the film. This with Eisenberg acting directly against himself and he's terrific in creating the dynamic. This in little comic moments as Eisenberg is indeed commanding against himself speaking each word with a strict conviction in himself and just the right degree of smarmy indulgence. This against Eisenberg as Simon continuing to be awkward and retiring. This with the right comic touch as he portrays these attempt with the appropriate awkwardness, that is rather humorous particularly his failure to flick his tongue sexually, instead looking very much like a lizard in Eisenberg's performance.

Although they seem to briefly attempt a Cyrano situation as Simon goes on a date as James. This initially failing horribly to do this, with Eisenberg again thriving within awkwardness, but also doing just well as finding a bit of charm as Simon stops trying to be James. Then just acts as himself apparently winning over Hannah briefly. Eisenberg's portrayal of this delivers the right charm by finding the charm within his awkwardness by emphasizing an earnestness within himself. He's also good as James in the same scene in projecting the right reaction that shows a more vile personality in his unease at the success of Simon without following every word of James's. Unfortunately the film then just kind of fumbles around towards a relatively obvious conclusion as the two attempt to sabotage each other until one wins. Eisenberg is more than decent in each role, in fact he's particularly good in a moment of a near break down as Simon when he is blamed for all the faults of James. Eisenberg delivering the intense exasperation effectively. Sadly though it doesn't make enough use of that dynamic which was interesting between Eisenberg and himself. There was definitely some more to be mined there, but instead we just get some repetitive scenes of the two's infighting until its unceremonious end. I will qualify this as two good performances, one consistent, one slightly underwhelming in certain respect but still overall effective. The film doesn't make use of the potential within when Eisenberg is with himself. I will say though he was not a favorite of mine in his earlier years, I have come to like Eisenberg as an actor, as he has a unique presence, that definitely offers an alternative protagonist for his films. This does need to be in the right role still, used in the right way. That is mostly true for this film here. It's a good example of Eisenberg being used properly but not a great one. In fact, I think Eisenberg himself sort of refined this performance just a bit for The Art of Self Defense, where he essentially merged the two sides into one arc.