Tuesday 2 June 2020

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.

127 comments:

Emi Grant said...

I'll admit me being a mark for him, I'd probably go a bit higher, but your review is pretty accurate to Eisenberg's strengths in this performance.

Louis: What are your thoughts on the film's score and the use of "The Sun" for the end credits? I got that song seriously stuck in my head long after the film was over.

Razor said...

Hey, you upgraded him for The Art of Self Defense. That's nice.

Anonymous said...

Louis: your top 30 James Gandolfini acting moments

Matt Mustin said...

Haven't seen this, but I'm glad you upgraded him for The Art of Self-Defense.

Mitchell Murray said...

I haven't seen this film either, and I'll admit I'm not a huge fan of Eisenberg in general. When his style is used properly, though, I still think he can be an effective performer ala "The Social Network", and to a lesser extent "Zombieland".

Also, I watched “A Love Song for Bobby Long” recently, and it might be an interesting movie to discuss when the 2004 alternates roll around. For now, however, I’ll go on record and say I’m somewhat mixed on the film; I couldn’t help but feel the story was never all that compelling or unique, and took a little too long to tell. I also felt the direction wasn’t all that stringent, and as a result, the three main cast members are sort of just "there" to pick up the slack.

Johansson - 3.5 (Honestly, this is one of her better early turns, mainly because of some emotional scenes which she handles fairly well.)
Macht - 3.5
Travolta - 2.5

Emi Grant said...

Also, Louis: Your Top 15 Eisenberg acting moments?

Lucas Saavedra said...

Louis: your top 16 - 20 Jesse Eisenberg acting moments?

Calvin Law said...

I'd give him a 4.5 and liked the film more than you...but I see what you're getting at. What do you think of Ayoade's potential as a director/writer? I don't think his approach is flawless by any means but I could see him developing his own voice into something special.

Calvin Law said...

Also your thoughts and rating for Wasikowska?

Tim said...

in your Nakadai-review from 62 you say that you like Back to the Future 3 more than 2, why exactly is that?

Lucas Saavedra said...

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

Aidan Pittman said...

Louis: Similar question to last time and I can probably guess your #1, but what are your 10 least favorite Oscar-nominated performances of the 2010s?

Tahmeed Chowdhury said...

Emi, Lucas: These are Louis's top 5 Eisenberg acting moments, which he posted in 2017- (source: review of Martin Sheen in The Way Back)


1. The minimum amount - The Social Network
2. Saverine's breakdown - The Social Network
3. Ending - The Social Network
4. Opening - The Social Network
5. Only Friend - The Social Network

Mitchell Murray said...

Aidan: Again...in no particular order.

Javier Bardem (Biutiful)
George Clooney (The Descendants)
Glenn Close (Albert Nobbs)
Bradley Cooper (American Hustle)
Jennifer Lawrence (American Hustle)
Patricia Arquette (Boyhood)
Eddie Redmayne (The Danish Girl)
Mark Ruffalo (Spotlight)
Mary J. Blige (Mudbound)
Margot Robbie (Bombshell)

Luke Higham said...

My least favourite Picture and Acting nominees of the 2010s:

The Kids Are All Right
Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close
War Horse
American Hustle
Boyhood
The Big Short
Green Book
Bohemian Rhapsody
Vice
Joker

Javier Bardem (Biutiful)
George Clooney (The Descendants)
Bradley Cooper (American Hustle)
Jennifer Lawrence (American Hustle)
Steve Carell (Foxcatcher)
Patricia Arquette (Boyhood)
Eddie Redmayne (The Danish Girl)
Mark Ruffalo (Spotlight)
Mary J. Blige (Mudbound)
Viggo Mortensen (Green Book)

Louis Morgan said...

Anonymous:

Give me some time to construct.

Emi Grant:

For me, well I like the song, and it is certainly a fine song to play at the end. It is lacking for me in terms of really representing anything meaningful within the film itself. The score itself is also fine to be in creating a generally off-putting quality, however again it feels something copped from another filmmaker, there actually a bit more Gilliam than Lynch.

Eisenberg:

1. The minimum amount - The Social Network
2. Saverine's breakdown - The Social Network
3. Ending - The Social Network
4. Opening - The Social Network
5. Only Friend - The Social Network
6. Let's do pushups - The Art of Self-defense
7. Kill in one hit - The Art of Self-defense
8. After the date - The Social Network
9. Slightly awkward goodbye - The End of the Tour
10. Taking over - The Art of Self-defense
11. Passive aggressive with Saverine - The Social Network
12. Argument over women - The End of the Tour
13. Call from Sean - The Social Network
14. Cyrano date - The Double
15. Under dressed CEO - The Social Network
16. Harvard investigation - The Social Network
17. Belts - The Art of Self-defense
18. Call home - The End of the Tour
19. The end of Murray - ZOmbieland
20. Ending - The Double

Calvin:

Having not seen his first film, I will say based on this he does have potential, but needs to wear his influences a bit less on his sleeve and push his own voice a bit. He has a more than decent eye regarding aesthetic and the like, but his screenplay is underwhelming with his choices around it often very on the nose in his attempts to be like Lynch.

Wasikowska - 3(An example of another Lynch related flaw. This as the supporting cast of Lynch films tend to be fascinating, and the character, even if brief, allude to some strange history. Here we more of just a get a glance of a person purposefully reduced within the surreal, a common mistake at attempted Lynchian films honestly where usually only the main character is developed. Anyway, I do think she's decent in the extremely limited role, this in being luminous enough, and bringing a certain humanity within the reaction the double's behavior. Again though not enough there.)

Tim:

Well really they're on an even keel for me. The minor difference being Thomas F. Wilson for me. I'd actually say he's MVP as Buford, doing a more than credible, more comedic take on Liberty Valance, while I think he way overplays the young Biff scenes at the end of 2 making Biff a drooling psychopath.

Aidan:

1. Eddie Redmayne - The Danish Girl
2. Jennifer Lawrence - American Hustle
3. George Clooney - The Descendants
4. Mark Ruffalo - Spotlight
5. Amy Adams - American Hustle
6. Natalie Portman - Black Swan
7. Mary K. Blige - Mudbound
8. Patrica Arquette - Boyhood
9. Bradley Cooper - American Hustle
10. Michelle Williams - My Week With Marilyn

Lucas:

Everyone else is fine, but as mentioned earlier underused in a certain respect.

Luke Higham said...

I see you dislike Portman even more than I thought you did.

Your choice to play Nina and who do you think would've been a better choice to direct War Horse even though the writing would have to be improved immensely.

Luke Higham said...

Louis: If you've seen them, could I have your thoughts on Belle and Under The Skin.

Louis Morgan said...

Anonymous:

Gandolfini:

1. Boat whacking
2. What happened with Tony B
3. Hearing about the informant
4. AJ outside the police station
5. He and Paulie on a boat
6. Not being an varsity athlete
7. Why's it gotta be hurtful?
8. Deadly fight with Ralphie
9. You finished?
10. Dock dream
11. Meeting Jr. the last time
12. Puss disappears
13. Reacting to the suicide - The Mexican
14. Ultimatum to Christopher
15. Kevin approaches the house
16. Dream confession
17. Meeting a soulmate? - The Mexican
18. Arguments with Meadow about Jackie Jr.
19. Interrogation - True Romance
20. Dreams of Tony B
21. Stopping the suicide
22. Visiting Puss
23. Confronting Melfi over the suicide
24. Marv's bar - The Drop
25. Final confrontation - The Mexican
26. Is he mafia
27. Hearing about Meadow's problems
28. Reconciliation - Enough Said
29. Confrontation with Big Dave - The Man Who Wasn't There
30. Argument - In the Loop

(from sopranos unless noted otherwise)

Bryan L. said...

Luke: I believe Louis once picked Rooney Mara and Kirsten Dunst as alternates for Nina.

Louis Morgan said...

Luke:

Well looking at it Richard Curtis and Speilberg combined really was set to be the perfect storm of overdone schmaltz. I'd probably dispose with the former's screenplay first.

My policy regarding waiting for the results for thoughts on films of that given year stands as always.

Aidan Pittman said...

Also, what would've been Cannes lineup for this year has been revealed. Too many to post just here so here's a link: https://www.nextbestpicture.com/latest/the-2020-cannes-film-festival-official-selection

Thoughts from all?

Mitchell Murray said...

Luke: From what I remember of "Under the Skin", I would personally label it as an interesting premise more than a great film. At the very least, it has a decent, pre-2019 turn from Johansson.

Aidan: More or less what I expected from Cannes, and we'll see how every film pans out in the upcoming months/year.

Mitchell Murray said...

Also, I just watched "Shine" for the first time and felt it was....okay, I suppose. Honestly, I found a lot of the film rather boring, mainly because of its insular, straight forward approach. The piano scenes are predictably energetic, but overall, I think the movie was pretty standard from a technical standpoint, and failed to show the greater importance of Helfgott's life.

Rush - 3.5 (It's surprising how little screen time he actually has. When he does show up for the second half, I would say Rush is decent.)
Taylor - 3
Rafalowicz - 2.5
Stahl - 3.5 (He's fine, but I might've preferred him in "Eastern Promises")
Redgrave - 3

Bryan L. said...

Confession: Halfway through Under the Skin, I said “Ah screw it” and just skipped to the end.

Mitchell Murray said...

Bryan: Can't really blame you...the pacing is definitely the film's Achilles heel.

Tahmeed Chowdhury said...

Louis: Could I have your thoughts on the direction and screenplay of About Time?

Anonymous said...

Louis: Your thoughts on Tony Lip & Jamie Lynn-Sigler in The Sopranos?

Emi Grant said...

Louis: Out of curiosity, since I just started watching The Sopranos not too long ago, is the boat whacking at the top of the list the one at the end of Season 1 or another one?

Anonymous said...

Guys, do you see any changes to Louis' top 5 for lead actor.

Luke Higham said...

Anonymous:
I predict:
1. Gyllenhaal
2. Keaton
3. Gulpilil (The HDS comparison made my Michael bodes extremely well for him)
4. Pearce
5. Hardy (Locke)

RatedRStar said...

Louis: Speaking of Lynchian, I have always found Goosebumps to have various stories that feel very Lynchian, whats your thoughts on Goosebumps? you have a favourite story or anything?

Louis Morgan said...

Tahmeed:

About Time is right within Richard Curtis's wheelhouse of general pleasant aesthetic and moderately scenic locales. His direction of the film though does go a tad further in this instance. This in his few little flourishes here and there are effective ones. This in particularly the rainy wedding montage that is quite remarkable work on his part. More than anything though he adds enough of a sense of low key place, while having appropriate guidance here in terms of balancing the dramatic, comedy and the whimsy. A major choice in this being how the Time Travel is so matter of factually done, which I like actually. It still occasionally becomes a touch imbalanced, and more basic Curtis. Still overall a major step forward for him in my book.

His screenplay is of course right within the Curtis wheelhouse as well with the slightly awkward hero mucking it about in an attempt to find love. This is the best iteration of it through the time travel contrivance that actually does very much propel the story effectively forward. Curtis falls on a few of his tropes of course, wacky siblings/sidekicks, random sexpots and of course a curt supporting character. Still in this instance they are done better than really any other iteration he's done it in. This particular in the slight tip towards the dramatic that is one of his best instances of it through the relationship between father and son that is beautifully written work by him. This is Curtis at his best.

Anonymous:

Lip - (Yeah can't say Mortensen "Got him" one bit here, unless Lip was closer to a ridiculous Italian stereotype when he was younger. Any way as a performer Lip is terrific in a limited though important role. Lip evoking so effectively an old style mobster closer in the vein of a Vito Corleone, though not just that. He has that quiet confidence and even wisdom in his manner. This where his eyes grant the sense of a man thinking of his positions and speaking in a way that commands as a man who knows he doesn't speak loud to get things done. This being in just so well portraying basically the sensible boss.)

Lynn-Sigler - (Although based on my ranking it probably seems I hate the kids' performances. I don't. I think Lynn-Sigler is more than fine in her scenes of just being Tony's teenage daughter so to speak. In that she hits the natural notes of the chemistry between the family, and just the more typical notes of first teenage angst than later young adult aimlessness. When she's pushed to do a bit more though there she can struggle a bit. This in a lot of her most dramatic moments underwhelm just a bit. She's never really terrible, but within the cast it's noticeable.)

Emi Grant:

End of season 2, though I think that is the one you're referring to.

RatedRStar:

Well I will say that's the first time I heard Goosebumps compared to Lynch. Can't say I have any favorite stories, not that I hate em or anything.

Calvin Law said...

Louis: what about Buscemi, what are your thoughts on him on Sopranos?

Anonymous said...

Louis: your top 10 sopranos episodes

Louis Morgan said...

Calvin:

For me Buscemi was the biggest disappointment in the series. He doesn't give a bad performance, in that the sort of "in scene" moments he's fine, but he never really seems to embody anything specifically. This in his overarching realization of the character always feels extremely vague. This in that everyone we take from him seems to come from what we hear from Tony rather than what we actually see in Buscemi's own performance. This unfortunately made me feel he was particularly lacking as his character becomes extremely important, but Buscemi never made me even understand who his Tony B. was even as a enigma. He just seemed to be kind of there, which while not actively bad he needed to really be great in the role, but he's not. He doesn't really strike up chemistry with Gandolfini, nor do you really get the sense of history between them. He's just kind of this guy who joins the series, and honestly seems like the casting of Buscemi (who was the biggest name the series had overall for a multi episode run), seemed like it was a shortcut to create importance. Sadly, for me, Buscemi gives oddly one of his most forgettable performances.

RatedRStar said...

Louis: In regards to Goosebumps lol maybe the creepiness factor I meant to compare in some way to Lynch, only some of the stories though.

Louis Morgan said...

Anonymous:

1. Pine Barrens
2. Long Term Parking
3. Funhouse
4. Whoever Did This
5. Soprano Home Movies
6. The Blue Comet
7. Made in America
8. Isabella
9. The Strong Silent Type
10. Kennedy and Heidi

Anonymous said...

Louis: Rating and thoughts on Pullman and Baldwin in Malice.

Calvin Law said...

Louis: Interesting to note that, I feel like I hear more praise for his directing on the show (he did your number 1 episode I believe) than the acting itself.

Anonymous said...

Louis: Thoughts on the voices of Debbie Harry, Joanna Cassidy, Chloe Sevigny, Angela Bassett, and Madeleine Stowe.

RatedRStar said...

So the Baftas have been announced, I do always like it when there are a bunch of shows that I don't know about in the acting categories lol.

Luke Higham said...

RatedRStar: Colman's snub shocked me.

RatedRStar said...

I am pretty confident that Stephen Graham will win Best Actor over Jared Harris, I just feel like this is Grahams year, and he is front and center in his series.

Colman might have seemed like the classic " shes a guarantee so lets get vote someone else in"

RatedRStar said...

I think its the first time that a Japanese actor has been nominated for Lead Actor which is pretty great.

Calvin Law said...

Louis: thoughts and rating for Deborah Harry in Videodrome?

Calvin Law said...

RatedRStar: I'm definitely interested in seeing Giri/Haji

Mitchell Murray said...

Louis: How would you rank Paul Newman's oscar nominated performances? I'm trying to see all of them myself, and for the moment, I'd go with "The Hustler" as my favourite (Though I love his work in "Road to Perdition").

Anonymous said...

Louis: Is there a chance since he is currently in your top 5 for 2007 and was your original winner once upon a time that Viggo Mortensen would be upgraded from a 4.5 to a 5?

Luke Higham said...

Anonymous: I think it's very likely.

Anonymous said...

Luke, since you have Danny Plainview as your profile picture, what are your thoughts on DDLs’ performance in that film?

Mitchell Murray said...

So I watched "True Romance" for the first time, and while I was unsure of the film at the start, I eventually came around to liking it. The style of 90s-Tarantino certainly bleeds past the script and into the direction/editing, but that works for the most part, and I would say the movie is entertaining throughout. I would also say a large part of that enjoyment comes from the supporting cast.

Slater - 3.5
Arquette - 3.5
Hopper - 4
Gandolfini - 4
Pitt - 4
Walken - 4
Pinchot - 4
Oldman - 3.5
Sizemore - 3
Penn - 3
Rapaport - 3
Rubinek - 3

Mitchell Murray said...

Also, if the movie were being made today, I would have Chris Pine as Clarence and Mary Elizabeth Winstead as Alabama.

Louis Morgan said...

Anonymous:

Pullman - (It's a decent enough average leading man turn from Pullman, I guess on the better side of things, even if one does ponder a little bit how he became a leading man as he's not overly charismatic. Pullman though still manages to do his part particularly in emphasizing the downtrodden any man who ends up being consistently mistreated, effectively portraying his dismay as it unfolds.)

Baldwin - (He's pretty over the top, he gets the ego down I guess through that particularly through the film's trailer line, but beyond that it isn't a terribly interesting performance. This as the co-conspirator his work is rather limited and most often forgettable when not being directly maniacal.)

Anonymous:

Not enough Harry exposure.

Cassidy - (Lower than standard though in fairly sensual way actually that emphasizes a certain maturity)

Sevigny - (About as average sounding as it gets.)

Bassett - (Her voice has this certain natural authority to it that is rather remarkable.)

Stowe - (Average sounding in a most wonderful way, hard to describe, but oh so perfect.)

Calvin:

I always get tremendous dejavu when someone asks me about Debbie Harry in that film.

Mitchell:

1. Hud
2. The Verdict
3. The Hustler
4. Road to Perdition
5. Cool Hand Luke
6. Cat on a Hot Tin Roof
7. Nobody's Fool
8. The Color of Money
9. Absence of Malice

Anonymous said...

Louis: Your thoughts on the sopranos episode 'Pine Barrens'

Calvin Law said...

Louis: Damn that’s surreal, looked it up and there it was. My bad.

Bryan L. said...

Louis: Your rating and thoughts on Nicole Kidman in Malice?

Luke Higham said...

Louis: With the 15 Bergman performances list, where would Pernilla August in The Best Intentions rank since Bergman wrote the screenplay.

Tahmeed Chowdhury said...

Louis: Could I have your thoughts on this 2 minute track from the anime Toradora! called "Lost My Pieces"?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lk0gm_Z81bE

Luke Higham said...

Anonymous: One of my all-time favourite performances and my personal favourite from Day-Lewis. Completely love the John Huston influences within his work and his physical appearance I've always found to be really striking too (love his moustache). The Baptism scene is an utterly extroardinary piece of acting from him and really like his chemistry with Dano though I've always wondered how Joaquin Phoenix would've fared as Eli.

Mitchell Murray said...

Luke: Well I think Eli needed to be a little "wet behind the ears", and fairly meek compared to Daniel. Therefore, Dano's youth and less intense presence worked for the character.

Now in fairness, Phoenix had played more modest characters before "There Will Be Blood" (Ex, "The Village"), but 2007 was also the year he did "We Own The Night", so....it could've gone either way.

Mitchell Murray said...

And yah, Day Lewis' Plainview mustache is one of the best film mustaches of recent years.

Luke Higham said...

*extraordinary piece of acting

Tim said...

i saw Punch-Drunk Love today and thought it was good. Not necessarily great, but good. Not really my favorite of the early Andersons though. And of Course i mostly watched it because of Sandler. His early Scenes were a bit awkward honestly (which is not entirely his fault though; there is a Scene in the beginning where he talks to an acquaintance About his Depression and suddenly starts crying. The Camera is around 2 meters away and showing him in profile, while the Scene is very darkly lit. I just see him talking, and then he cries. It would have been easier if we had seen his face during the Scene) anyway, i was compelled well enough after around 20 minutes, afterwards he was very good and had great chemistry with Watson, even though some of his pure-Comedy Scenes were again a bit off.


Sandler: 4.5 (the positives are the majority)
Watson: 4 (Maybe should have had a bit more to do)
Hoffman: 3 (same as Watson)
Guzman: 2/2.5 (why? why cast someone like him in a role that just walks around the set? Cast someone who is completely unknown for such a role!)

Calvin Law said...

I don’t think Phoenix could’ve bettered Dano in the role if I’m honest. Not exactly in terms of acting, just in terms of the right type of casting.

Anonymous said...

Luke, your rating predictions for Supporting.

Calvin Law said...

If we’re talking of watches I rewatched Fruitvale Station today and it fucking hits hard.

Luke Higham said...

Calvin: Fair enough. I do think Dano is quite tremendous actually (Hate to be a broken record here but War & Peace, his greatest work) but with an even greater talent like Phoenix, you just have to wonder what the scenes between him and DDL would've been like in terms of an acting showdown.

Calvin Law said...

That’s actually why I don’t think the film would’ve been as good with Phoenix. The whole point of those scenes is for Daniel to overwhelm Eli to a point, and there’s something about the Dano scream that really makes the role his own.

Luke Higham said...

Anonymous:
Cusack - 3
Claflin - 4
Schoenaerts - 4.5
Khan - 4.5
Darin - 4.5
Alcazar - 4.5
Waititi/Darby - 4

And if reviewed an upgrade for LaBeouf in Fury.

Michael Patison said...

To chime in on the Dano-Phoenix debate, I 100% believe Dano was the perfect choice for the role. They both have odd screen personas and can work in odd roles. But that's where the similarities cease. Phoenix is dominating and powerful. Dano is meek and is therefore perfect for Eli. It's part of the reason I found his performance in 12 Years a Slave so laughable. There's an argument to be made that he was trying to show the insecurities in the man, but I couldn't keep a straight face through his scene, which almost certainly wasn't the point. As Eli, however, he gives his only performance of his I've actually loved more than liked (only seen the first 20 minutes of War and Peace).

Bryan L. said...

One of the reasons Dano works for me in the role is because Dano himself was an up-and-coming actor back then, which really added to the dynamic between the twins and Daniel Plainview (the young priest vs the domineering tycoon).

Phoenix can play meek (Her, the first act of Joker) but he was a bit too established back when TWBB was made. I believe Louis once picked him as Paul/Eli for a 90s version of the film, which definitely sounds more ideal.

Luke Higham said...

Bryan: I can agree on that. What about early 2000s.

Bryan L. said...

Luke: For sure, since it would’ve been more in line with his Gladiator/Quills/Signs work.

Mitchell Murray said...

Side Note: Phoenix was easily my favourite of the "Quills" cast.

Calvin Law said...

Louis: could I have your thoughts on John Singleton’s direction of Boyz N the Hood?

Tim said...

I akso have to agree with Bryan on that. An Actor as famous as Phoenix would also just have distracted in such a role.

Anonymous said...

Luke, besides Inarritu, who do you predict will be Louis’s Best Director choices for this year? I could see both Andersons making it.

Anonymous said...

Louis: Thoughts on that little feud that Tommy Lee Jones and Jim Carrey had before Batman Forever started filming where Jones said that he couldn't sanction his buffoonery? Jones comes across as an hypocrite there, since he was okay with giving that performance in that movie.

Mitchell Murray said...

Anonymous: Yah...Jones really had no place to talk there. Then again, its not like the script was helping either him or Carrey, so perhaps they just wanted to have some fun on set.

Calvin Law said...

I disagree. I think Jones might’ve been referring to Carey’s buffoonery even when not onscreen which I’ve heard can get pretty damn annoying and frustrating for people he works with.

Louis Morgan said...

Anonymous:

Pine Barrens is an episode I'll say is more comedy than drama and a hilarious comedy it is. There is a bit of drama, effectively so in Tony's failings with a type of woman he really has no idea what to do with, but what makes this episode so special is the Laurel and Hardy that is Christopher and Paulie in the snow. Everything they do is just hilarious as they fall apart almost immediately as their hitman skills provide little survival skills. Every part of their predicament and situation is pure gold, with also a nice cherry on top via Bobby Baccala and his hunting gear.

Bryan:

Kidman - 3(Kidman is someone I will say got progressively better as an actress, and is someone you could see actively pushing herself. I say that because this as she is someone who just got better, and she's not as good here. She's fine as the seemingly innocent victim at first, and isn't terrible in the switch. She doesn't hit really depth within the idea though, she surface goes from being naive to being maniacal. Does it okay, but just that.)

Luke:

Probably #11.

Tahmeed:

A gorgeous piece I must say, as it begin with such sweet gentle sentimental simplicity, then builds towards quite a stunning orchestration piece that carries it an epic emotional quality, yet maintains that sort of endearing quality of the piece.

Calvin:

A tremendous debut even if struggled to recapture what he did later on. His work has an eye for the atmosphere and the environment that is so essential to the story. You really are granted a viewpoint within the story, I especially love his long take of the children walking together through their "playground", that grants such a remarkable sense of the place. More often than not it is just a confident work in terms of finding the essential element of a scene, whether it be intelligent use to step back and let the actors handle it, or to take a stronger hand. I'll say my only minor quibble is might go slightly too far in that regard in the intruder scene, that is very 90's dated, but still not bad. In contrast his direction of the film scene, and a touch of the style of Doughboy's fate is absolutely haunting through his choices in that moment. As with most debuts there's both a daring and degree of uncertainty, that works in tandem with the daring, here that largely pays off and its shame Singleton never seemed to quite recapture that again.

Anonymous:

Well Jones doesn't seem to suffer fools, probably to a fault, and Carrey's antics probably go on to a fault, as evidenced by his "Jim & Andy" behaviors. Honestly it is harder to think of two less compatible stars honestly so it isn't surprising. I believe that story also comes from Carrey, so I ponder what Jones's side of things would be.

Aidan Pittman said...

Watched Hard Eight for the first time. Figured that I would like it but I didn't expect to love it. PTA's talent shows from day one. Really need to see Boogie Nights, Magnolia, and Inherent Vice now...

Hall - 5
Reilly - 3.5/4
Paltrow - 4
Jackson - 3.5/4

Matt Mustin said...

I watched Do The Right Thing for the first time in many, many years and I'm having a hard time deciding between Danny Aiello and Ossie Davis as my MVP.

Tim said...

your thoughts on the Black-and-White Version of The Mist?
I think it is certainly noticable in some Scenes that they took a lot of care into lighting the Scenes in a way that would fit both styles, and the sometimes kinda sloppy effects get to look a bit better in there.
On the other hand some other Scenes do not look like they were made for B-a-W at all, with very little contrast in the lighting. And i also say that the TV-Style of shooting that movie, with the constant shakycam and snapsooms looks odd in Black-and-White.

Louis Morgan said...

Tim:

Eh, I love the work of the filmmakers that have made the "black and white" versions of these films (The Mist, Fury Road, Parasite) but honestly it comes off as a bit silly as none of these films have great "black and white" cinematography. Getting rid of the color is getting rid of something from the film. The Mist is probably the closest but still, for the reasons you mention, doesn't quite work. The only example that works in my mind, and it isn't quite true, is The Man Who Wasn't There, which was shot in color, however it was intended to be shown in Black and White and you can see the difference between that film, which truly embraces the power of black and white cinematography, where those other films it does just feel a bit like a filter.

Anonymous said...

Luke, your top 5 Dano performances.

Luke Higham said...

1. War & Peace
2. There Will Be Blood (I decided to re-watch it last night solely for him and forget what I said before though I would have loved Phoenix pre-2005)
3. Love & Mercy
4. Okja
5. Swiss Army Man

Calvin Law said...

The black and white version of Logan is apparently pretty cool.

Tim said...

Raiders of the Lost Ark was shot to also work in Black-and-White, and that Looks very good. In fact, i say it would have won Best Cinematography over Reds if it had been released that way

Matt Mustin said...

I refuse to watch Fury Road in black and white. A not insignificant reason that movie works so well is it's amazing colour palette, which helps make it second best shot film of the decade.

Mitchell Murray said...

Matt: Here here... the contrasts of blues and oranges/tans really made the theater experience all the more memorable.

Tahmeed Chowdhury said...

My stance on releasing black and white versions of films like Parasite or Fury Road is the same as "colorizing" films like It's A Wonderful Life- it's absolutely and completely unnecessary, especially because like Matt said, the use of color is pivotal to the success of both films.

Bryan L. said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Bryan L. said...

Louis: Your cast and director for...

2000s Spotlight
1980s Ford vs Ferrari
1930s Lawless

Aidan Pittman said...

Louis: Your cast/director for a British made Chinatown (still made in 70s)?

Mitchell Murray said...

So I saw "The Madness of King George" just now, and I really liked it. The movie did what any history based film should do, which is to educate me about its subject, but also be compelling/enjoyable in doing so.

Hawthorne - 4.5
Mirren - 3.5
Graves - 3.5
Holm - 3.5
Everett - 3

Matt Mustin said...

Aidan: Well, Noah Cross has to be Robert Shaw, right?

Bryan L. said...

Aidan: Let me try that one.

Directed by Mike Hodges

Gittes: Michael Caine
Evelyn: Sarah Miles
Noah: John Gielgud

Mitchell Murray said...

I also was able to catch the last half of "Edge of Tommorow" on TV...

My love for the film has only been bolstered, and Cruise is an easy 5 for his "I wish I didn't know you line" alone.

Calvin Law said...

Matt: perfect choice.

Louis Morgan said...

Bryan:

Spotlight 2000's directed by Ron Howard:


Michael Rezendes: Miguel Ferrer
Robby Robinson: Harrison Ford
Sacha Pfeiffer: Laura Linney
Mary Baron: Kevin Kline
Ben Bradlee Jr: Keith Carradine
Matt Carroll: Bryan Cranston
Mitchell Garabedian: John Malkovich
Eric MacLeish: Kevin Bacon
Richard Sipe: Donald Sutherland

1980's Ford v Ferrari directed by Francis Ford Coppola:

Carroll Shelby: James Caan
Ken Miles: Ben Cross
Lee Iacocca: Powers Boothe
Mollie Miles: Judy Geeson
Leo Beebe: William Atherton
Henry Ford II: Danny Aiello
Phil Remington: Harry Dean Stanton

Lawless 1930's directed by Lewis Milestone:

Forrest: Louis Wolheim
Jack: Joel McCrea
Howard: Jason Robards Sr.
Floyd Banner: Edward G. Robinson
Maggie: Miriam Hopkins
Bertha: Sylvia Sidney
Cricket Pate: John Carradine
Charley Rakes: Walter Huston

Aidan:

Chinatown directed by Peter Yates:

Jake Gittes: Oliver Reed
Evelyn Mulwray: Vanessa Redgrave
Noah Cross: Laurence Olivier

Anonymous said...

Louis: Based off of Josh Brolin's best work, how would you see him faring in the following roles:

William Munny
Wolverine (Logan)/Keller Dover (Prisoners)
Lancaster Dodd
Birdman (Inarritu film).

Tim said...

Anonymous the first three he would definitely nail, but i can't see him as Birdman

Emi Grant said...

Tim: I think Brolin in a birdsuit would be an interesting sight at least

Tim said...

Louis what do you think About Harold Gordon in Viva Zapata? i just watched it (agree with your Ratings on Quinn and Brando btw) and thought he was actually very good, Maybe even better than Quinn

Tim said...

well, Maybe it's more that i just think the Actor for Birdman should also be Riggan, and that i would defintely not cast Brolin for

Tahmeed Chowdhury said...

Really hope Kapoor's review is next.

Luke Higham said...

I hope its Stevens.

Anonymous said...

Luke, besides Inarritu, who do you predict will be Louis’s Best Director choices for this year? I could see both Andersons making it.

Calvin Law said...

It’ll be Iñárritu, Chazelle, the two Andersons and Petzold is my prediction :)

Tim said...

does anyone know where i can find Louis' thoughts and rating on Catherine Keener in Being John Malkovich? (I assume he must have given them somewhere)

Luke Higham said...

Anonymous: I agree with Calvin though I'd go with Bennett Miller instead of Petzold.

Bryan L. said...

Luke: Are there any years you think Nicole Kidman could get a win for here on the blog? I believe she currently has it for 2002 (though it’ll probably change), and I think it might be her, Winslet or Staunton for 2004.

Luke Higham said...

Bryan: Maybe for Birth since it's the only potential 5 performance left for Louis to watch.

Luke Higham said...

Bryan: And Thurman currently has the win for 04.

Bryan L. said...

Luke: Ah I forgot about Thurman. My bad. For some reason, I thought it was Winslet.

Bryan L. said...

Luke, how would you rank PTAs films? With ratings.

Luke Higham said...

5
1. There Will Be Blood
2. Phantom Thread
3. Magnolia
4. The Master
5. Inherent Vice
4.5
6. Boogie Nights
7. Hard Eight
8. Punch-Drunk Love

Mitchell Murray said...

Bryan: I have yet to see "Kill Bill Vol. 2" in it's entirety, so I can't say anything in regards to Thurman. What I can say, however, is that "Eternal Sunshine" is absolutely Winslet's best performance, and she would be a worthy winner in a lot of best actress years.

Luke: "There Will Be Blood" is probably my favourite Anderson film as well.

Anonymous said...

Louis: Your 2000s and 2010s cast/director for Cop Land?

Louis Morgan said...

Anonymous:

William Munny - (Although I think he could be as good as Watanabe was in that he has the right general presence, I honestly don't think anyone could be better than Eastwood in that role, this as he not only gave a great performance he was also one of the most perfectly cast actors ever when one looks at Munny in terms of both subverting and playing into his career as a western lead.)

Wolverine (Logan) - (Well I honestly see him being on similar trajectory to Jackman, in that I think could've become more appropriate for the role as he aged)

Keller Dover - (Could've been amazing I think, in that he has that ability to internalize intensity, well could've funneled that into remarkable explosions of anger.)

Lancaster Dodd - (All wrong for the part, would have to entirely reinvent his presence, which I haven't seen him do fully.)

Riggan - (Not a terrible choice, but lacks sort of the "loose" energy I think you'd need for the role. As the sort of natural successor as noted in the film itself, that I think would also work, would be Robert Downey Jr. for the part.)

Anonymous:

Cop Land 00's directed by Joe Carnahan:

Sheriff Freddy Heflin: Bruce Willis
Ray Donlan: James Gandolfini
Gary Figgis: Elias Koteas
Moe Tilden: Ed Harris
Rucker: Neal McDonough
Babitch: Chris Pine
Liz Randone: Carla Gugino
Rose Donlan: Amy Ryan

Cop Land 10's directed by Ben Affleck:

Sheriff Freddy Heflin: Ben Affleck
Ray Donlan: John Hawkes
Gary Figgis: Casey Affleck
Moe Tilden: Titus Welliver
Rucker: Jon Bernthal
Babitch: Jesse Plemons
Liz Randone: Lizzy Caplan
Rose Donlan: Andrea Riseborough

Tim said...

really? nobody has an idea where i can find some Keener-review?

Mitchell Murray said...

Tim: I checked the 99 alternates, so your guess is as good as mine.

I'm mean, Keener isn't in the top 10 of his supporting actress ranking, so I imagine her performance is in 3 to 3.5 territory.

Matt Mustin said...

Cameron Diaz is better in that film anyway.

Mitchell Murray said...

Matt: Ehh...I wasn't crazy about either of them. If I'm being honest, I genuinely preferred Sigourney Weaver in "Galaxy Quest" over both Keener and Diaz.

Then again, I've yet to see "Sweet and Lowdown" or "Boy's Don't Cry", so I can't say what my ranking of the field would be.

Tim said...

weird since i give her a 5