John Hawkes did not receive an Oscar nomination for portraying Patrick in Martha Marcy May Marlene.
Martha Marcy May Marlene is fairly effective psychological drama, even it is very much weakened by its ending. It is bolstered by its great lead performance by Elizabeth Olsen as a trouble young woman who has recently escaped from a cult that lives in a secluded area.
John Hawkes is Patrick who is the leader of the cult "family" who takes Martha (Olsen) in. Patrick's first action with Martha is to rename her Marcy May, his next is to rape her as a way to welcome her to the fold. It should be said that Hawkes really is at a constant in this film, Partick never changes, and this actually is what probably helps him be a force in the film even when he is not onscreen. This is also certainly helped by Hawkes assured performance as Partick.
Hawkes is excellent because he finds just the right tone with his character that variates with just the right degrees. Hawkes most importantly is extremely charismatic in the role of Patrick, and there is never a question to the way he sways others so easily in the film. He has a quiet sway that there is something Hawkes brings that makes Patrick's personality and actually makes it entirely believable that he is so easily able to make someone change their name by simply saying that is the way they see them.
What is important though is that Hawkes within the charisma though certainly is never a warmth filled presence. He great in bringing to life the undercurrent of darkness in Patrick, and that Patrick's intent for his "family" certainly is not something positive. Whenever he abuses them there is no hesitation in Hawkes's portrayal showing that Patrick is only controlling these people for his own ends, and his charm is merely a trick to pull them in.
Hawkes comes in and out of the film, and we never truly learn all there is to Patrick. We only ever see him through the view of Martha, and we never learn we here comes from or how he ever did start this cult who he is the leader. Hawkes uses this mystery well to create Patrick into a fascinating character, and is convincing no matter how far Patrick goes. One scene in particular when Patrick tries to say a murder was fine, is chillingly portrayed by Hawkes because he has so much conviction that he clearly conveys the fact that Patrick honestly believes his insanity.
Patrick really is sparingly used in the film, and his character does not have a conclusion scene. He stays an enigma to the end. Hawkes absolutely does make the most of his creation of Patrick, and his achievements are quite enormous actually in portraying this cult leader. I did really want more of his performance, but really there is not a single bad thing I can say about his performance which is quite striking. Hawkes really can take a great deal of the credit and succeeds in being able to create the overwhelming dread and paranoia that builds in the film due to his characterization of Patrick.
