Tuesday 23 June 2020

Alternate Best Supporting Actor 2014: Matthias Schoenaerts in The Drop

Matthias Schoenaerts did not receive an Oscar nomination for portraying Eric Deeds in The Drop.

Matthias Schoenaerts still remains in sort of what is colloquially known as the Guy Pearce or Ben Foster zone, that is an extremely talented actor that can't quite seem to make that next step towards wide acclaim. Like those two he's on just the border of that breakout, finding much praise in places, but never seemingly in the exact place needed for it. Although he's still on the cusp, finding plenty of off the beaten path praise for The Mustang, just last year. Hopefully this won't go on indefinitely though as it is always a shame to see him plugged in throwaway roles that make some throwaway roles look good. This as he's an extremely talented performer with an incredible range. Now for most actors coming from a French speaking country there is typically a struggle to make the transition due to the accent, at least beyond playing certain types of roles like a Vincent Cassel for example who is typically cast a sleazy European type. Schoenaerts though has no issues, in that if one were to see any of the film he's been in that haven't been set in Belgium or France, you'd think he was from whatever that country was. That is the case here as New York lowlife in the Drop where there is no reason to second guess he is any less foreign than James Gandolfini in the film. Schoenaerts's accent work is simply impeccable and he just fits right into the New York setting. Although I don't think one should hand wave that accomplishment on its own, it would not be enough to make this a notable performance but there is more than that. This as Schoenaerts appears as a somewhat mysterious figure initially in the film after we've met Bob (Tom Hardy), whose taken a seemingly stray dog with Nadia (Noomi Rapace). That is going on while also we see Gandolfini's Marv attempting to retake his place into the criminal underworld by robbing his bar, now owned by Chechen gangsters, where both he and Bob tend bar.

Eric shows up randomly showing interest in the dog that Bob found in a garbage can abused. Schoenaerts here is brilliant in just crafting this part once again as it goes beyond just his brilliant use of his accent, his whole manner has this quietly wired quality to it. He conveys his Eric as seemingly something is not quite right about him as he paces around talking to Bob, something wired in his movement whether on some drugs or just his typical mental state. His manner towards Bob though with this purposeful hectoring an ease that Schoenaerts brings suggesting that Eric sees Bob as an easy person to exploit. This as he points it out as his dog and his owner with this casual menace that Schoenaerts pulls off so effectively. This as his whole manner is the menace and he doesn't throw anything extra in there. The man seeming just off as he appears is enough that Schoenaerts creates a threat through the idea that he is unpredictable. Schoenaerts appears next as Marv tries to recruit him to further his plans to steal from the Chechen gangsters by having him be his gunmen. Schoenaerts is terrific in this scene by showing Eric less in control of the scene and shows this strong strand of paranoia when around someone he can't bully. Schoenaerts delivering Eric's motivation for messing with Bob and questioning Marv is with the right sort of chaotic quality. This in Schoenaerts suggesting a man sort of questioning everything with this scattered sense of attempted pride. Schoenaerts makes Eric pathetic but also creates a threat about him as he grants the needed unpredictable quality to the man. Schoenaerts threatening Bob later we again see the danger of the man peacocking over Bob, and Schoenaerts emphasizing the confidence as it relates to standing over Bob. Schoenaerts again showing a man who has no respect for Bob, and the danger of him in the casual threat Schoenaerts underlines when blackmailing Bob for the dog. His mentions of abusing the dog is with an ease in Schoenaerts shows the power of the low life in that he's with a man he believes to be no threat so tries to control the situation. We see this again as he forces Nadia to go with him to rob Bob at Marv's bar. Again Schoenaerts doesn't make Eric this cunning villain rather thrives in emphasizing just the ease of the scum that he is in threatening what he sees as easy targets.

This naturally climaxes as Eric takes Nadia with him to Marv's bar on the Superbowl to rob Bob of all the money sent to the bar as local criminal drops. I love this scene as more than anything what it gives us is two of the very best actors working going directly at another as Eric and Bob face off. This as both carry an inherent intensity in their performances and I love the way they both carry it here, but in clever indirect wavelengths. In that you have Hardy who is steadfast in it, against Schoenaerts is all over the place in the best of ways. This as you get the fear of the robbery in his work, he moving around too much, he's entirely jumbled in his speech, he shows that Eric is nervous in the moment even as he is still attempting to menace Bob, this in marvelous contrast to Hardy with the dead stare. Schoenaerts's miserable confidence is terrific as his eyes glint with a despicable pleasure again as he speaks every word as this attempt to beat down the seemingly passive Bob into submission. As the robbery goes on Bob tells the story of how Marv had Bob murder a man to retain a debt. Schoenaerts is amazing in this scene as he says so much in the moment as he gradually loses that confidence as this fear grasps nto him. This as Schoenaerts slowly seem to grant an understanding of Bob's story, and his hurried delivery suggests a man finally realizing the severity of his situation. My favorite moment of this scene though is that Bob reveals the man he murdered to be the same man that Eric Deeds has been claiming to have killed for street cred. Schoenaerts reaction in this moment is perfection because he doesn't show Deeds to be more scared than ever, he rather shows the man go back to the false bravado as he claims to have been the one to killed the man. Schoenaerts makes it work by his delivering is as this autopilot the man has developed as though he's been claiming to be a killer so long he's believed himself though only as this recited bit of posturing. In the moment though it is a brilliant juxtaposition in that you have Hardy's stone cold honest speaking of the killing, against Schoenaerts that is all false confidence of a fake killer lying to himself as he is to everyone else. I wish we'd get more scenes like this in film in general nowadays, as it is just two great actors working with each other. Neither "Steal" the scene, but rather what makes it so remarkable is together they realize the power of the situation. The situation being the quiet real deal versus the loud phony. Schoenaerts is a great phony here, in giving such a detailed and convincing despicable performance that most of all is such a proper match for Tom Hardy's work.

33 comments:

Mitchell Murray said...

When I first watched this film five/six years back, I admittedly had no exposure to Schoenaerts beforehand. As such, this is a performance I don't honestly remember that much of, but after reading this review, I definitely want to go back and revisit it some time.

As for Schoenaerts himself, I think he's proven his talent several times over by now; His "Rust and Bone" performance alone was enough for me to call him a great actor.

Calvin Law said...

His reaction to Bob’s revelation is amazingly done, you’re spot on about how he momentarily reverts to that stupid confidence. Great performance.

Louis: hypothetically and disregarding his awful behaviour that’s made him a Hollywood pariah in general, do you think James Woods would’ve made a good Jimmy Hoffa? I was just randomly thinking that he’d probably nail the chemistry with De Niro and the louder more abrasive aspects of the character, but less so on the more endearing aspects of Hoffa like his relationship with Peggy (which incidentally speaking I feel like Pacino’s knack for endearing sweetness is an underrated aspect of his talents).

Louis Morgan said...

Calvin:

I honestly think he could've been great altogether obviously he can deliver on the firebrand/hot tempered qualities but, real personality aside, he is capable of being heartfelt (Holocaust, The Virgin Suicides, the later scenes of True Believer).

Calvin Law said...

Louis: that's true, forgot about Virgin Suicides actually.

Also Louis what are your thoughts on the score to The Sweet Hereafterl and the accident scene r? Rewatched it the other night and thought the latter was brilliantly directed just in terms of how swift and bluntly it is dealt with, and Bruce Greenwood's reaction in the moment.

Robert MacFarlane said...

His screen presence is an odd combination of Gosling and, well, Hardy. Hell, he kind of looks like a hybrid of them.

Calvin Law said...

Aw gee, that's spot on. Now I can't unsee that.

Aidan Pittman said...

Watched Do the Right Thing for the first time and... that was great. One of the most stylistically interesting and truthful films I've seen. Especially loved Spike Lee's direction As Barton Fink would say, "powerful stuff."

Lee - 3.5
Aiello - 5
Turturro - 3
Edson - 3
Davis - 4
Perez - 3
Jackson - 3.5

Calvin Law said...

Aidan: a film for me, that not only grows but which changes with how you think as you grow up.

Robert MacFarlane said...

Aiden: Whatever reservations my white ass had back when I was younger and stupid a decade in regards to the movie flew out the window in the last few months. It’s a movie that I fear will never stop being relevant. It’s Lee’s masterpiece. Also, Davis is only a 4? I love him in it.

Robert MacFarlane said...

(Well, truthfully my reservations flew out the window in maybe 2014, but the last two months really hammered it down as absolutely essential to cinema.)

Calvin Law said...

As my friend put it, in an ideal world Do the Right Thing would be a time capsule & a historical cultural artefact, but it is as relevant every day as it was 30 years ago.

Aidan Pittman said...

Robert: Honestly tempted to go higher with Davis, I loved his character here and I'm sure he'll grow on me more as time goes by.

Aidan Pittman said...

It really feels like something that was made today purely because of how recent everything in this 30+ year old film feels.

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

Aidan: I think you are being WAY too kind to Lee's performance.

Matt Mustin said...

And Davis I think is just as good, if not better, than Aiello.

Michael McCarthy said...

I’ll agree with everyone saying Davis gave the best performance in Do the Right Thing. I’d also give Turturro a solid 4.

Calvin Law said...

I think Lee is just fine in the role, I don't get the complaints. I used to find Esposito the weak link of the cast but with time I've grown to appreciate his performance much more. Aiello and Davis are both outstanding.

Tim said...

3.5 for Lee? why? he was just there ...

Tim said...

R. I. P. Lewis John Carlino

RatedRStar said...

RIP Lewis John Carlino

The Great Santini, Resurrection, I Never Promised You a Rose Garden, These are some very interesting films.

Aidan Pittman said...

Pretty much agree with Calvin on Lee. Maybe a 3 is more fitting, but I do think he fills the part fine enough. Also, I'd make Davis a 4.5 now.

R.I.P. Lewis John Carlino

John Smith said...

Louis, your thoughts on 'Do The Right Thing' and specifically the screenplay. I really feel that the movie packs a punch and most on the blog seems to agree.

Luke Higham said...

Louis: Your thoughts on Kristen Stewart playing Princess Diana.

Anonymous said...

Louis, could you check out Camp X-Ray before you finush 2014. I thought Stewart was better there than in Clouds Of Sils Maria.

Anonymous said...

*finish

Emi Grant said...

For all that's worth, I remember seeing a trailer for a film about a dystopian society where you literally can't show emotions or you risk dying (think The Lobster with a Black Mirror setting), where Stewart was cast as one of the main leads who has to remain emotionless.

Honestly, the concept will probably be forgettable, but the casting of Stewart strikes me as a bit of a stroke of genius based on her criticisms as a performer.

Mitchell Murray said...

Emi: I believe that film was called "Equals", and it also starred Nicholas Hoult, Guy Pearce and Jacki Weaver.

As for Stewart's casting as Princess Diana.....well..... I just can't see it right now. Personally, Stewart is an actress I can either like (Personal Shopper, Still Alice...) or dislike (Snow White and the Huntsman...), though I'm usually in the middle of those two camps. I do think she has more range than her "Twilight" dissenters might say, but I also feel that she doesn't have the most piercing or trans formative of screen presences. There seems to be this ongoing belief of Stewart being this great actress, but as for myself, I see her as a good one in the right role - and Diana just doesn't seem like the right role.

Bryan L. said...

Mitchell: Hhmmm, I don't know. Pablo Larrain is set to direct and he got a career-best performance from Natalie Portman in Jackie. There could be something here.

Calvin Law said...

I agree with Anonymous, she’s very good there. And personally I think Larrain and Stewart will do well.

Emi Grant said...

Mitchell: That's the one. Didn't realize Pearce was in it.

Luke Higham said...

Louis: Is Tommy Lee Jones still on a 4.5 for The Sunset Limited.

Louis Morgan said...

Calvin:

The score is a beautiful haunting piece of work. This in that Danna brings such a simplicity within his quiet use of strings that creates this real feeling of both remembrance and loss. It reflects almost a certain baroque quality that grants with it this sort of feeling in the past, though within this distinct pathos underlined in it.

The crash scene is powerfully done by just how bluntly done it is. It is just something that *happens* and in that is so horrifying because of that.

John Smith:

Do The Right Thing is a film where I do have a reservation or two that won't change over time, I do think Lee in the leading role wasn't the right choice as while he's a better actor than Tarantino, I'd say only slightly but more than anything isn't particularly dynamic. In fact I think it would've served the film better if he and Esposito swapped roles. This is as I feel there are key moments Lee himself doesn't really sell beyond a very basic point, and scenes that focus heavily on him are the weakest, namely his romantic ones with Perez, again for me it is Lee's performance that holds them back. Also just some relatively minor things like how stereotypically the Korean shop owner is portrayed, again these are minor.

Having said that it is probably his greatest screenplay, where I typically have more issues with his work, as it is one, unlike say Jungle Fever, where he juggles so many different topics and actually makes them work in tandem. Here in giving a fuller portrait of this neighborhood in that you have the fun of it, the life of it, the atmosphere of it, and the hate of it in his screenplay. The different little vignettes here build upon each other rather than collide with them to create a real sense of the place where you get both good and bad. Lee takes the time to present the views of the character, even the worst of them, carefully to grant you a sense of their mind even when they're not in any way sympathetic. The sort of crafting of the boiling point is a natural and terrible progression here well realized by Lee's work, which earns the shifts from the comic to the dramatic.

Luke:

I'm fine with it, to amend my earlier comments slightly I don't think Stewart is anywhere near a bad actress, in fact I'd say she is good one, I just feel there was a bit of a manic thrust to push her to a pedestal that she hadn't yet achieved, the same with Pattinson in The Rover. Having said that I'd love to see her Good Time or The Lighthouse, where she does take that next step for me, and with Larrain at the helm I could possibly see it.

He's a 5.

Anonymous:

I'll try.