Harry here, still bloated like a tick on the back of a drained friggin hound dog with lymes disease. While I'm rolling on my back waiting on someone to help me turn over, I'll let you chew on this look at Paul (I wrote all the good Scorsese films) Schrader's latest flickeroo. I've been hearing great things about Nick Nolte's performance. Now imagine if Eddie Murphy is nominated for DR DOOLITTLE or HOLY MAN!!!! Wow, that'd be like... really lame. Haaahahaha, made you think I was stupid. I know I am. I'm so stuffed IQ points are dripping out my ear with gravy!!!
Some thoughts on Paul Shrader's new flick, AFFLICTION, starring Nick Nolte, Sissy Spacek, James Coburn, Mary Beth Hurt, and Willem DaFoe. Goddam, I wrote this incisive brilliant report - well ok fairly decent - and then I $@%$^#@% deleted it - ....sigh...so now I'm just aiming for functional.
AFFLICTION's a cool, cold relentless film about a cop's breakdown as he pursues an accidental hunting death conspiracy, but is plagued every step by the legacy of his father's cruel alcoholism which has AFFLICTED him.. because he's born defending himself from day one "..he's never had a perspective to retreat to." This is a beautiful work - the best for many of the talent involved - Paul Shrader included who is mostly working like a master with carefully constructed shots. The cinematography rules it - haunting shots of snowscapes and decrepit farms during a winter in New Hampshire perfectly captured by the same DP who did most of Egoyan's films - including THE SWEET HEREAFTER (which is by the same author as AFFLICTION). I'll be buying the soundtrack very atmospheric sinking you into a haunted reverie.
All the acting is superb (except for Homes Osborne as Nolte's boss, LaRiviere). This is the best work Mary Beth Hurt has done IMHO, here in a small role as Nolte's ex-wife battling Nolte over their child. Spacek as Nolte's girlfriend is a delight to see onscreen as always and has some powerful moments. Willem DaFoe has been one of my favorite actors after seeing him onstage in THE NAKED APE - jesus is he intense and unforgettable - but he's kinda wasted here as Nolte's brother with a silly bobbed hairdo. He's good - it's not a huge role - but he's capable of so much more. I haven't seen MOST James Coburn films, so I don't know if this is his best work - but he's fucking awesome. Really threatening and tragic as the ranting father.
But... this is Nolte's film and it is by far his best work ever. As the cop he is phenomenal - his voice really got to me more than anything as it spins and drops, hides and reveals a complexity of emotion unparalled, at times eerily echoing his father's rattle. I predict he'll win the Oscar this year - it's all that good. Now I love Ian McKellan - I want so much for him to win for GODS AND MONSTERS - I think he is a better actor, has delivered better characters, I like his politics and the way he approaches his craft. But this year Nolte's is the better performance. The film is coming out December 30th in time for... you know. But this deserves it.
So 100 down on Nolte - Best Actor. Any takers?
over and out
TERROR
