Alternate Best Supporting Actor 1998: Donald Sutherland in Without Limits

Donald Sutherland did not receive an Oscar nomination, despite being nominated for a Golden Globe, for portraying Bill Bowerman in Without Limits.

Without Limits is the second film in a two year period about the tragically short life of runner Steve Prefontaine (Billy Crudup). Superior of the two, though Prefontaine starring Jared Leto, isn't terrible, and Without Limits isn't amazing but it is better.

One of the major improvements between the two is the depiction and performance behind Prefontaine's coach Bill Bowerman, which is a major facet of Without Limits, and thankfully gives me a chance to explore the great talents of the dearly departed Donald Sutherland, incidentally also directed by the dearly departed Robert Towne. Sutherland opens the film with his great voice narrating as we see Steve running in the Olympics as he watches on, before we naturally flash back to the early days of Steve until he eventually goes to the University of Oregon to train under Sutherland as Bowerman. An unlikely introduction as we find Bowerman's first act is to measure each man's foot to design better shoes for them to run in, and Sutherland even as he's looking down with a measuring tape, seemingly not paying attention, still commands the screen with ease. Sutherland cuts through the nonsense with his ease in delivery of a man who has seen plenty, knows his role, knows his methods and therefore doesn't need to sell it to anyone. Such as in this first scene where Steve thinks he has some extra weight saved in Bowerman's shoe designs which Sutherland calmly states his knowledge of already before sending Steve off on his way. Sutherland is theoretically working with some expected material as we see him speak with authority to all the young men in his program, but what makes it something special is the way Sutherland comes at each scene in his own Sutherland way. Sutherland doesn't present himself as the obvious authority figure, despite just always having this presence of "in charge" regardless, rather Sutherland's performance has the natural ease of the man who doesn't need to perform for others, Bowerman already knows.  

So what Sutherland accomplishes is just a dynamic performance in every scene he's in, whether it is breaking some habits of the men, or just forcing them to have certain length haircuts, there's such a seasoned wisdom in Sutherland relaxed way of speaking every word, but also his manner confirms that sensibility every time. Sutherland goes further in that while I wouldn't call this a comedic performance exactly, there is something that isn't entirely disparate from his work in MASH for example, where there's a humorousness to the irreverence of the man. Sutherland isn't playing for laughs, even if he might get a few, rather he's playing for creating an understanding of the character defined by his experience, which is to cut right to it, no matter what the condition may be. And we see this in one of Steve's first great feats of running where everyone else is amazed by the thing, and Sutherland's wonderful in portraying the building annoyance in Bowerman at the showboating. Every time it cuts to him, and really Sutherland, as he consistently does in this film, makes the scene by making his annoyance both amusing but also completely the nature of the character who isn't impressed by flash, he's impressed by substance and skill. And we follow that scene with Sutherland as great in his measured and straightforward manner towards Steve in explaining why Steve screwed up, even though it seemed to everyone else that Steve was doing anything but. Sutherland not only makes this exposition natural, he makes it compelling and captivating in bringing this specific sense in the man's eyes and his words of someone who knows Steve can do better if he follows instruction.

Naturally the film progresses with the relationship between the two growing over time, though Sutherland never exactly makes Bowerman a simple inspirational coach at any moment. I especially love one scene where the guys are talking out of turn in a sauna to be horrified when Bowerman appears having already been in the sauna. Again the moment is made by Sutherland with a very specific, almost villainous, grin on his face that instantly instills terror in the man, and shows the unique sway of Bowerman, even when they're at the Olympics. And at the Olympics where Prefontaine falls short of a medal, it is again Sutherland who truly carries the moment through the quiet intensity of his performance just watching every step and more than anything creates the investment into the scene. And we see that beyond this that Bowerman, despite his manner, does care about Prefontaine, such as confronting him after he chooses to work as a bartender after the Olympics. Sutherland is great though because as much as you can see now that Bowerman definitely sees Steve as more than just another player for him, his delivery is still matter of fact of the wisdom of a man who will simply point out what he sees is wrong and what he sees as right. There's a fantastic scene where Steve mentions offers to go pro which would give him monetary compensation, where Bowerman gives him the immediate pros and cons, though also notes it's Steve's decision. Sutherland's subdued delivery again is of a man who isn't trying to sway Steve rather just painting his options for him as a truly intelligent man would. Sutherland is consistent with character, revealing his warmth, but as always in his Bowerman way that is true to the character. The one real break is in the ending where Sutherland is fantastic, because he still isn't suddenly turning into a different man, rather is extremely moving in showing the calm and concise Bowerman still being as such in caring eulogy, though making the moments of near break so especially potent coming from the tough exterior the man. Sutherland powerfully reveals just how much Steve meant to Bowerman and ends the film on a high note. And this is a great example of the marvelous talent of Donald Sutherland, who takes a potentially rote role and makes the absolute most of it. Coming at every potentially standard scene in his own way, that takes a well worn character of the tough coach, and makes it his own.