Monday 10 August 2020

Alternate Best Actor 2002: David Gulpilil in The Tracker

David Gulpilil did not receive an Oscar nomination for portraying the titular character in The Tracker.

The Tracker is an intriguing off-beat film about a posse tracking an indigenous man accused of murdering a white woman.

The posse features a tyrannical and violent leader known as the Fanatic (Gary Sweet) with two other white men whom he also berates, and their tracker played by David Gulpilil. As mentioned some reviews ago, Gulpilil has a unique presence as a performer which once again comes to play here. This as he can stand out really without doing much of anything. This being essential in the early scenes of the film which almost play like a musical in a strange way where there is very little dialogue as we see the men walking through the desert, title cards telling us their purpose, and really the music filling most of the blanks past that. In these scenes we see the tracker technically as part of the group but not as part of the group. This as Gulpilil delivers this certain distance in his manner as a man doing a job he doesn't particularly like. This in his eyes a gaze of lack of investment as they follow the brutal Fanatic. One of the earliest acts of the Fanatic being to slaughter a group of aborigines. The initial cut to Gulpilil's immediately after this act is depicted through a painting is incredible. This as his reaction is a specific heartbreak. He's clearly devastated but more internalized as a man who knows how he must behave in order to survive the circumstances he is in. This as even with that monstrous act he must continue going on with the group and the Fanatic's whims.

Gulpilil is great though in almost bringing a comic quality to his performance as it continues on. This as he finds the right tone in his manner that is both uncaring to Fanatic's cause, but also as disarming as possible. Gulpilil finds this effortless combination as he portrays the Tracker showing his ways to try to basically avoid the Fanatic's wrath while also in a way mocking him in his sort of quiet way of delivering every mention of his expertise in trying to find the supposed murderer. This of course doesn't satiate the mad man who instead chain up the tracker to bring him along the trip.Gulpilil still makes remarkable use of his presence in he has this certain command in presence in the sense of assured intelligence within the man even when shackled the way he is. He keeps both a reality and dignity intact with the character that simply is wonderful. There is a particularly great moment for Gulpilil takes a moment even to eulogies one of the fallen men of  the posse. Gulpilil brings such an understated yet palatable warmth in the moment, showing the tracker caring for another even within this divide with such a honest humanity. Again Gulpilil is captivating in his work by being so genuine in every moment here even in the film's rather atypical and at times overtly stylistic approach, Gulpilil is able to stand out in this essential reality within his own work.

After the tide turns though, where the tracker and the other surviving posse member team up against the fanatic, Gulpilil's performance changes. Naturally he shows the tracker more overt in his defiance, after all he is in charge. This is so powerfully shown though in the intensity he brings in a moment when he shows the fanatic directly his cruelty by looking upon a dead aborigine. There is such a notable strength in Gulpilil's glare no longer diluted by the need to seem harmless. This eventually leading to the tracker condemning the fanatic, where I love how straight forward Gulpilil is in the moment. This as his sentencing is even delivered with almost this casual quality, however in this creates such an honesty if even humor in the moment by showing that same manner of how he used to survive now inform him in his way of punishing the Fanatic. In this though still Gulpilil's casual quality has a real power to it as it feels so pure to the man and the character. It is again part of the man's presence so wonderfully. The film continues past this point as the tracker decides to still go to figure if the man is guilty or not. Gulpilil's sort overt confidence in terms of how much he expresses grows all the more. This again reinforcing the idea of the hidden intelligence of the tracker basically no longer being hidden, and the confident man that was there all along just being completely open in the moment. In the end we see the man wholly within his power and it is great just to see Gulpilil own the screen in these moments, no longer on the edge of moments but just dominating them. Now that is a relatively brief part of his work, however it is the natural end to his work. This being a fantastic realization of this arc of the tracker in a way revealing himself, but Gulpilil's artful gradual increase of his basically his charisma as a performer.

78 comments:

Calvin Law said...

Agreed with this review. I absolutely loved the scene where he almost faces down the fanatic with laughter and his delivery of ‘black man born for the noose’.

Thoughts and ratings for the rest of the cast Louis? I thought Sweet and not Nicholas Hoult were both pretty good. And your thoughts on the use of paintings for the depictions of violence - it was a bit jarring for me at first but I eventually found it quite powerful.

Michael McCarthy said...

I’ve been enjoying catching up on Gulpilil’s work. He and Kenneth Branagh are both strong in Rabbit-Proof Fence, they’re both worth considering for the supporting lineup.

Anonymous said...

Louis: Your top five directors of films with extremely unsympathetic characters and anti-heroes?

Luke Higham said...

Enough of the spam please.

Luke Higham said...

Michael: I'm interested in seeing a write-up for those two though any omission is going to pain me. I'm kind of hoping for a 10 lineup if Louis wants to do 2 doubles in Firmino/Jorge and Gulpilil/Branagh. I'd be happy with Wong and Tanaka as well, the former being a fairly underrated talent. Fiennes and Mikkelsen however are musts for me personally.

Luke Higham said...

Louis: Your thoughts on this.

https://theplaylist.net/bill-murray-woody-allen-eyes-wide-shut-20200811/

Michael McCarthy said...

Luke: Don’t worry, I won’t push them. I have a feeling 5 will be plenty for supporting, I’m just giving options.

Luke Higham said...

Michael: No worries, I think it'll be a 5 lineup with a bonus or 2.

Luke Higham said...

Michael: Are Branagh and Gulpilil 4s for you.

If so, my lineup is:
Fiennes
Mikkelsen
McConaughey
Tanaka
Firmino/Jorge

Fraser
Lures

Again, previously unseen films for the 5. And I expect Wong to get a 4.

Luke Higham said...

And a 4 for Plummer in Nicholas Nickleby.

Bryan L. said...

Luke: Your thoughts on Hugh Grant in A Very English Scandal

Luke Higham said...

Bryan: His best work to date. The most devious he's ever been and all of his scenes with Whishaw are tremendous.

Luke Higham said...

Sorry if I didn't go into much but I really need a rewatch at some point.

Robert MacFarlane said...

Does Fiennes really need a review?

Tahmeed Chowdhury said...

I'm a bit lost, but what film is Fiennes being considered for?

Luke Higham said...

Tahmeed: Red Dragon

Bryan L. said...

Luke: It’s all good :)

Oh right, my Best Director choices for 2016

1. Martin Scorsese - Silence
2. Damien Chazelle - La La Land
3. Denis Villeneuve - Arrival
4. Mel Gibson - Hacksaw Ridge
5. Taika Waititi - Hunt for the Wilderpeople (Interchangeable with #4)

I should rewatch Your Name.

Bryan L. said...

Also, since it’s being covered, random fun fact: 2002 was the year I first saw a movie in a theater...E.T. The Extraterrestrial.

Luke Higham said...

Louis: You mentioned once that you saw ET in the theater, was it 1985 or 2002.

Mitchell Murray said...

Bryan and Luke: This might show my age, but the first movie I remember seeing in theatres was "Kung Fu Panda"! And honestly, I don't regret that.

Luke Higham said...

I hope Louis watches Red Dragon during Lead because I'd much rather be let down gently if Fiennes doesn't get in.

Luke Higham said...

Mitchell: Nothing wrong with that. Kung Fu Panda was a great experience for my 14 year old self. :)

My first cinematic experience was A Bug's Life (UK/99) when I was 4.

Mitchell Murray said...

I mean, I'd personally cite the original "Kung Fu Panda" as one of Dreamwork's best films. And "A Bug's Life" isn't a bad one either.

Luke Higham said...

Mitchell: No doubt about that. On the whole, I enjoyed it more than WALL-E from the same year.

Tahmeed Chowdhury said...

Since I brought it up in the last post, my own top 5 for 2016 Best Director:

1. Martin Scorsese- Silence
2. Makoto Shinkai- Your Name
3. Damien Chazelle- La La Land
4. Taika Waititi- Hunt for the Wilderpeople
5. Dennis Villeneuve- Arrival (can definitely rise up, given I haven't watched Arrival since 2017)

Tahmeed Chowdhury said...

The first movie I ever watched in the theatres was the first Pirates movie in '03. I'll admit that's part of what made me especially happy when Depp was re-evaluated for it.

Aidan Pittman said...

The first movie I saw in theaters was March of the Penguins in 2005 according to my parents, though I was too young to actually remember it. Pretty sure the first film I actually recall seeing in theaters was Ratatouille in 2007.

Anonymous said...

Luke, who would be your Best Director choices for 2016?

Robert MacFarlane said...

Mine was Toy Story. Y’all are young.

Bryan L. said...

I forgot to mention I was 7 when I saw E.T back then.

Luke Higham said...

Robert: Hey now, your not that much older than me. :)

Luke Higham said...

Anonymous:
Scorsese
Chazelle
Gibson
Waititi
Villenueve

Calvin Law said...

Robert: Mine was Toy Story 2!!

Calvin Law said...

Also I saw Waiting for the Barbarians. I liked it overall, probably more than Louis, and Rylance definitely needs a review. I think he could be Louis’ win.

Luke Higham said...

Calvin: Honestly, If Rylance has a strong enough role, it would be a shock if he didn't knock it out of the park.

Emi Grant said...

In the conversation of first theater experience: I can't actually remember my very first, but do recall that one of my earliest experiences was with Ratatouille. I even remember my mom telling me it was a sacrifice for her because she can't stand rats.

BRAZINTERMA said...

My TOP6 of best director in 2016:
6º David Mackenzie - Hell or High Water
5º Barry Jenkins - Moonlight
4º Denis Villeneuve - Arrival
3º Martin Scorsese - Silence
2º Chan Wook Park - The Handmaiden
1º Paul Verhoeven - Elle

Anonymous said...

Luke, as of now who do you think will definitely be reviewed for 2020.

Luke Higham said...

Anonymous:
Lead:
Jackman
Lindo (We'll see whether he could maintain momentum towards an Oscar nomination)
Rylance

For MacKay or Patel to have any chance of getting into the alternate lineup, they really need the Academy to screw up big time.

Supporting:
Hoult
Laurie/Whishaw
Groff/Diggs

Stefan Klein said...

Hey guys, hope you're all doing well. Just wanted to chime in and say I'm still following your blog religiously, Louis. Please keep up the great work.
My first theater experience: the decidedly unimpressive Deathsport, probably in the very late 70s oder very early 80s. Must have been "FSK 12" in German cinemas back then.

Michael McCarthy said...

I think the first movie I saw in theaters was Disney’s Hercules, but the first one I actually remember seeing was Mewtwo Strikes Back.

Matt Mustin said...

Michael: You know what? It might have been Mewtwo for me as well.

Louis Morgan said...

Calvin:

Sweet - 3.5(Effectively brutal without becoming so over the top that he just becomes ridiculous, unlike a guy in a similar role in a recent Aussie wilderness revenge film. Sweet's performance works in pressing the tone though as just this intensity of a guy with really a single minded approach throughout.)

Gameau - 3.5(Effectively portrayed throughout in a largely reactionary performance. This firstly just showing the brow beaten state who is more fearful than the tracker when interacting with the fanatic. He's terrific though in giving the right sort of glints of the sort of self-confidence making his character's actions natural.)

I think the paintings were kind of essential for the film's tone, given how brutal the violence would've technically been otherwise. I agree they were jarring at first but ended up working well for the film overall.

Anonymous:

Paul Thomas Anderson
Martin Scorsese
Billy Wilder
The Safdie Broth
Alexander Mackendrick

Luke:

I will state right now supporting will be a 5 lineup.

I honestly would've probably rather seen that version of Eyes Wide Shut, as I think a more active protagonist, created by having a comedian, would've honestly benefited the film. I also think casting a less inherently attractive lead would've also made the central concept perhaps more potent.

It was not the official re-release but it was a showing after its initial release. Much like the first film I saw in theaters Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.

Stefan:

Thank you.

Aidan Pittman said...

Louis: What would you say are the top ten worst Oscar nominations for cinematography?

Bryan L. said...

Louis: Your present film roles for Sterling Hayden?

Anonymous said...

Louis: Thoughts on this?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pWSijECX9jE

Louis Morgan said...

Aidan:

1. Same Time Next Year
2. King Kong (76)
3. Batman Forever
4. Avatar
5. Airport!
6. Earthquake
7. The Towering Inferno
8. Sayonara
9. Star!
10. Slumdog Millionaire

Calvin Law said...

*looks at some of those winners*

Holy fuck. Do they just pick films at random for technical categories sometimes? Like the '76 King Kong what the hell.

Calvin Law said...

*nominees, but still.

Aidan Pittman said...

Funnily enough, I was watching some old episodes of Siskel & Ebert not too long ago and for their Oscar predictions for 1978 films they seemed entirely confused as to how Same Time Next Year got nominated for cinematography lol.

Matt Mustin said...

I'm currently watching 25th Hour, and uh, Anna Paquin is horrendous in this.

Calvin Law said...

https://youtu.be/FFVkolpFCUM Louis, thoughts on this scene from The Godfather Part II?

Anonymous said...

Louis: Have you given your thoughts on Slumdog's cinematography? I remember seeing a criticism of it glamourizing the slums too much or something, after it won.

RatedRStar said...

Aidan: Like there was any cinematography in that film lol.

My first ever film I saw in the cinema was Mousehunt back in 1997.

RatedRStar said...

I still can't believe King Kong 76 won visual effects along with Logans Run, surely it doesn't take a genius to figure out which film had better effects.

Luke Higham said...

RatedRStar: I still have abit of a soft spot for Mousehunt. :)

Tahmeed Chowdhury said...

Calvin: I love that scene from Godfather Part II, so brilliantly performed by De Niro and by Leopoldo Trieste.

Mitchell Murray said...

So, just a random question for everybody here: Does anyone watch the youtube series "Death Battle"?

They just released a new episode after their 4 month quarantine break, where they put Beerus (Dragon Ball) against Sailor Galaxia (Sailor Moon).

Louis Morgan said...

Bryan:

Hayden:

Paddy Conlon
Bigfoot Bjornsen
Charlie Costello
Phil (Uncut Gems)

Anonymous:

A little too terrifying I think in comparison to what became in the final film. As for the change in making that part of the story establishing rather than a revelation, I think just goes into the long list of really why editing is so important to the structure of a film and even the perspective of a character. Even in this case which is very early editing so to speak.

Calvin:

To make it even worse, it got in over All The President's Men.

It's a good scene and particularly effective in basically showing really the transformation basically to almost the man we would've seen in the early part of the film. This with De Niro finding really that same graceful power, and that real ease in his command.

Anonymous:

I'm pretty sure I have, though I'll say that criticism isn't something I'd agree with both in terms of the idea that I don't think it made the films all that glamorous in my view, but more so if a film wants to make a slum look glamorous it can...if it fits the tone of the film. What I don't like is the yellow soaked aesthetic, the annoying off-beat composition of shots and the jarring camera movements. Along with all the other films on my list, I honestly think its an actively ugly looking film.

Michael McCarthy said...

Holy hell, Sterling Hayden would’ve made a fantastic Bigfoot. Maybe with a young Jason Robards as Doc (if I’m resisting the urge to retrocast Monty Clift in every Joaquin Phoenix role).

Matt Mustin said...

Michael: Robards in that role would have been something else.

Matt Mustin said...

Michael McKean's work in Season 3, Episode 5 of Better Call Saul is an Emmy-worthy performance if I've ever seen one, so of course those idiots don't even nominate him, but sure, let's throw Jonathan Banks another bone.

Luke Higham said...

Agen Slot Games: PISS OFF!

BRAZINTERMA said...

Hey guys!
Say your TOP 5 for best screenplay (original and adapted) of 2002:

ORIGINAL
1º Punch-Drunk Love
2º Dirty Pretty Things
3º All or Nothing
4º Infernal Affairs
5º Talk to Her

ADAPTED
1º City of God
2º The Pianist
3º Road to Perdition
4º Adaptation
5º The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers

Bryan L. said...

Louis: Thoughts on “The Devil All The Time” trailer?

Emi Grant said...

Matt: I mean, the Emmys also messed up when Banks lost for Five-O, but two wrongs don't make a right, I guess. Chicanery is still my favorite episode.

Luke Higham said...

Finally, a non-spidey lead role for Holland. That trailer had me pretty intrigued.

Anonymous said...

Brazinterma:

Original
1. Dirty Pretty Things
2. Infernal Affairs
3. Narc
4. Punch-Drunk Love
5. Far From Heaven

Adapted
1. Adaptation
2. Road to Perdition
3. The Pianist
4. Minority Report
5. Catch Me If You Can

Louis Morgan said...

Bryan:

Though not a Stephen King adaptation, heavy Stephen King adaptation vibes from that trailer...hopefully one directed by Frank Darabont. Impressive cast, though a tone such as that is going to give me pause, not that it can't be great, but unwieldy it is. Hopefully the film finds the right path there.

Calvin Law said...

Best Adapted Screenplay:
1. Adaptation

2. The Pianist

3. City of God

4. Catch Me If You Can

5. The Two Towers

Best Original Screenplay:

1. Dirty Pretty Things 

2. The Twilight Samurai
3. Punch-Drunk Love
4. Oasis 
m
5. Infernal Affairs

Matt Mustin said...

Episode 5 of Watchmen

OK, Tim Blake Nelson MVP of the whole damn show overall. I kinda already felt that way just based on the brief but fascinating glimpses we'd been getting of him beforehand, but this cements it.

Aidan Pittman said...

Watched Secret Honor, my first time with a Robert Altman film, which I found to be mostly effective, particularly thanks to the only person in front of the camera.

Hall - 5

Michael McCarthy said...

So question, am I really the only one who found Oasis deeply upsetting?

Matt Mustin said...

Michael: Haven't seen it, don't really want to.

Calvin Law said...

Michael: I loved it but also found it upsetting. In a different way, I guess, I’m willing to listen to other views and change my opinion on it though.

Mitchell Murray said...

So on a different note, I watched “It’s Only the End of the World” for the first time last night. As someone who’s trying to learn more French, it’s an admittedly interesting watch because of the different dialects - particularly with Xavier Dolan being Quebecois, and a lot of the main actors being Parisian (Cotillard, Seydoux and Cassel).

As for the film itself, however, I’m going to have to put it in the “not for me” pile. The acting is good, but I just got the feeling that a lot of the play’s significance got lost in translation. I think the movie could’ve been stronger if it had different pacing, and if the scenes were given more breathing room instead of being bombarded with close ups.

Calvin Law said...

I know 2004 is packed to the brim but I just watched The Motorcycle Diaries and Bernal is fantastic as Che Guevara in it. Definitely should be in some sort of consideration.

ruthiehenshallfan99 said...

A little late for this, but the first film I saw in theaters was most likely The Tigger Movie.