Thursday, July 06, 2006

#18 (Male Performances in Review 2000-2004)

Benicio Del Toro may have won an Oscar for his rich, affable work in Traffic, but in 21 Grams, he performs something of a small miracle, and that is single-handedly raise a film from utter and total negation despite having all the odds stacked against him (a director focusing on all the wrong elements, gimmicky editing that enhances nothing, a morose self-important screenplay, and so much more). In fact, Del Toro is the sole reason I return to this film at all, and each time I walk away from it with a new appreciation for his portrayal of Jack Johnson, a man holding on to life only through his unbreakable faith. Del Toro plays him as a man who is elated at having discovered the true purpose of his life (that is, to serve and perpetuate the message of Christ, his savior). He is so confident in his belief that he places his family, his work and everything else behind this commitment to worship. He passionately preaches (intimidatingly so) to anyone he can find, even if they want to hear him out or not. The errors and contradictions of his behaviour are obvious to everyone else but him (consider the mixed message he sends to his children, asking his daughter to "turn the other cheek", and then in turn lashing out against his son). But when he is forsaken by this benevolent God, Johnson finally snaps under the pressure of encountering one tragedy after the other. Del Toro is searing as this broken man, resembling a member of the undead - he walks among the living, but his humanity is robbed, his spirit extinguished. When confronted by his priest for having lost his faith, Del Toro is astounding in how he replies. "This is hell" he rasps softly, tapping his head before exploding "I did everything He asked me to do!". When I think of 21 Grams, that scene immediately registers, and I marvel at Del Toro's intensity, frustration and sadness. Jack is desperately confused at his place in the world now; having rejected spiritual guidance, he is nothing. Although the film is about loss, Del Toro is the only person who really seems to understand what he is exploring.

P.S. - This has nothing to do with Del Toro, but I am horrified - horrified - and appalled that Six Feet Under was snubbed for an Emmy nomination for Best Drama Series (in place of what? I'm a fan of Grey's Anatomy, but even I admit it's feel-good trash). At least they had the good sense of recognizing Peter Krause, Frannie Conroy, Patricia Clarkson and Joanna Cassidy, along with Alan Ball for writing/directing. I will end with my regular FYC push for Conroy - if she loses for Best Actress, I will crawl into bed and never emerge from it, lamenting how stupid and lame the world is. That is all.

7 comments:

Glenn Dunks said...

(The Six Feet Under stuff is a joke. Although good on the Emmys for not bothering with "Lost", "Desperate Housewives" and all of them.)

THis was a great performance, but the supporting men of that year were so under the radar. Only Bobby Cannivale would've made my Best 100 Performances of the 2000s countdown... and he didn't.

Javier Aldabalde said...

Excellent write-up for the movie's best performance. I still maintain it's a joke Robbins won that year (good effort, wretched performance) but oh well.

However, for me, THE supporting actor of 2003 is Paul Bettany. That man was absolutely brilliant in "Dogville", and also highly enjoyable in "Master and Commander".

Anonymous said...

Great pick. Not sure why everybody has suddenly pulled knives out in regards to this film--I quite liked it.

And my uncle let me borrow the first season of Six Feet Under. I'm already a fan several episodes in.

Nick M. said...

I agree that this is my favorite performance by him (yes, even though Traffic is by far a better film, his performance isn't nearly as electrifying) and was one of my favorite male supporting performances of 2003.

This is a great performance that I had forgotten, so thanks for reminding me. That's what a great list does -- reminds someone of gems they once appreciated.

DL said...

I shed a tear when Six Feet Under wasn't nominated for Best Drama.

Not joking. (Although it may have had something to do with my best friend leaving me for B.C. for 2 months, like 5 minutes before.:()

RC said...

i like del toro especially in traffic...

not so much in 21 grams...i know, i know. i just wasn't a 21 grams fan.

Remember "The Way of the Gun?" I had high hopes for that film as well...

but BLAH!

--RC of strangeculture.blogspot.com

Anonymous said...

That's a great story. Waiting for more. »