quote:

Originally posted by seanflynn:
He's such a versatile actor - anyone who can pull off both J. Edgar Hoover and the Stage Manager in Stage Beauty (their both being cross-dressers doesn't count) is a major talent, and he is playing a real-life character, which never hurts.

But the movie didn't focus that much on Hoover. If it was a movie about him then let's talk, but he didn't have many scenes, and non of them were Oscar worthy. If you saw the film then you'd understand, but the movie was just disappointing all around! Honestly, I don't even think it's worth your money... That's how bad it was.

Some of the reviews -

NYTimes:

a terrific Billy Crudup, his neck thickened and delivery clipped

Village Voice:

J. Edgar Hoover (played by a very amusing Billy Crudup),

Ent Weekly:

J. Edgar Hoover, played with terrific bursts of ornate, egotistical menace by Billy Crudup, is shown to be hooked on — well, on something slightly rotten and certainly ruthless, something Purvis can't quite understand and eventually can't condone


These are really interesting reviews - it makes it sound like he nailed the character, went against the cliche, did it in a few short scenes. Bocaboy could easily be right, but reading some of these makes me think there may be something to his having a chance to contend.

Wow... I'm really surprised with how positive those comments are because there was seriously nothing special about him in the film. It's really making me think - what did they see that I didn't? In all honesty, the only person with a chance at a nomination is Marion Cotillard, at that's it. Not Depp, not Crudup, and most certaintly not Bale...

This message has been edited. Last edited by: bocaboy7,

quote:

In all honesty, the only person with a chance at a nomination is Marion Cotillard, at that's it.

I haven't been hearing that.

quote:

Originally posted by LKMOSCAR:

quote:

In all honesty, the only person with a chance at a nomination is Marion Cotillard, at that's it.

I haven't been hearing that.

Umm... ok? For example, Jeff Wells wrote a big article on why she should get a nomination... Listen, I'm not saying she will get a nomination, but out of everyone in the cast, she has the most chance. You can read my write up about it in an earlier post - I thought the movie sucked but Cotillard was the only thing good about it...

quote:

Listen, I'm not saying she will get a nomination, but out of everyone in the cast, she has the most chance.

What makes you think that, though? Jeff Wells isn't a critic that I like very much, so I really don't care about what he has to say.

Cotillard hasn't gotten the notices that it takes for the studio to be behind her like they will be for Depp. Therefore, Depp has a bigger chance at a nomination.

I agree that Depp has the better chance, over Cotillard; and Crudup, maybe a 3% chance if that.

quote:

Originally posted by LKMOSCAR:

quote:

Listen, I'm not saying she will get a nomination, but out of everyone in the cast, she has the most chance.

What makes you think that, though? Jeff Wells isn't a critic that I like very much, so I really don't care about what he has to say.

Cotillard hasn't gotten the notices that it takes for the studio to be behind her like they will be for Depp. Therefore, Depp has a bigger chance at a nomination.

First of all, LKMOSCAR, have you even seen this film yet?

quote:

Originally posted by LKMOSCAR:

quote:

In all honesty, the only person with a chance at a nomination is Marion Cotillard, at that's it.

I haven't been hearing that.

LKM, what have you been hearing?

For those who have seen it - the sense I get from reviews is that Cotillard does fine in a basically thankless/ordinary role playing a character who is not in the forefront of Michael Mann's interests.

If she captures people's attention anyway, she deserves credit for making something more to the role than might have been on paper.

After seeing the film for myself, I'm going to side with those who think Crudup gives the best performance in the film. He embodied Hoover whereas everyone else seem to be simply playing roles. It's a pity he didn't have more scenes as I don't think he's be able to Judi Dench his way to a nomination, let alone a win.

Cotillard was also very good in her role. Ribisi and Taylor solid in their few seconds on screen.

Of the big two, I was largely bored by Depp's portrayal of Dillinger. He was smarmy if anything. Bale gave the better performance, especially after he resorts to unorthodox means to capture Dillinger.

Mann's meticulous details made for a well-crafted movie and it featured some top-notch costumes, the one sure-fire Oscar nom in the film.

Seriously, did I miss something with Crudup's performance??? I really didn't think it was anything special... The only thing that stands out to me is how he made a funny line about a "kangaroo court" judging him... That's it!

LonePirate, what made Crudup's performance stand out to you?

This message has been edited. Last edited by: bocaboy7,

quote:

Originally posted by bocaboy7:

quote:

Originally posted by LKMOSCAR:

quote:

Listen, I'm not saying she will get a nomination, but out of everyone in the cast, she has the most chance.

What makes you think that, though? Jeff Wells isn't a critic that I like very much, so I really don't care about what he has to say.

Cotillard hasn't gotten the notices that it takes for the studio to be behind her like they will be for Depp. Therefore, Depp has a bigger chance at a nomination.

First of all, LKMOSCAR, have you even seen this film yet?

I'm off in a bit to see it. My next reply will include my thoughts.

quote:

Originally posted by LKMOSCAR:

quote:

Originally posted by bocaboy7:

quote:

Originally posted by LKMOSCAR:

quote:

Listen, I'm not saying she will get a nomination, but out of everyone in the cast, she has the most chance.

What makes you think that, though? Jeff Wells isn't a critic that I like very much, so I really don't care about what he has to say.

Cotillard hasn't gotten the notices that it takes for the studio to be behind her like they will be for Depp. Therefore, Depp has a bigger chance at a nomination.

First of all, LKMOSCAR, have you even seen this film yet?

I'm off in a bit to see it. My next reply will include my thoughts.

Alright, so see it and then tell us what you think! Keep in mind what we all said here as well! I think you'll be able to figure out which scene I'm talking about for Cotillard...

did the screener for this leak yet?

Screeners don't come out for a few months yet.

quote:

Originally posted by collazo:
did the screener for this leak yet?

No. General prints for this film managed to leak by the thousands. They're showing the illicit copies in movie theaters all over the country. If you want to get in on it, pay the kid who's sitting by the entrance. Maybe you'll get a little taste.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Alc,

P.S. This movie really sucked.

I'm with you, bocaboy.I like Billy Crudup and I think he did a fine job, but I personally don't see where all of the praise is coming from. I mean he's a great actor and did a fine job, but to read statements in reviews that he was "menacing" and "amusing" and such. I'm personally thinkin "really? Serviceable is what I'd call it, but really? menacing?" To each his own I guess.

As for the big three; Depp, Bale and Cotillard. I quite liked all three. I thought Bale was so much better here than in T4, here it seemed as though he gave at least a fraction of a sh*t of how he came across. I'm not a big fan of his, but I didn't mind him here at all.

I normally am not overly fond of Depp either( I do like the guy but I think he's oh so overhyped/praised), but I actually really enjoyed his performance. He gave one of those great performances where you root for him,the criminal, more than you root for the good guys chasing after him and knew going in how the movie was end essentially but was still hoping it wouldn't.LOL He gave a mostly quiet, subtle type performance, but I thought he had a couple of impactful scenes. Well done.

Cotillard was great. It was not a completely thankless role and she most definitely did the most, and then some, with what she was given. She has the most amazing eyes and can convey so much without saying a word. I would like to see a nomination for her(and Depp) for sure. I thought they were worthy.

quote:

Originally posted by Alc:
P.S. This movie really sucked.

no it didn't.